Biography:

Dr. Charles Edward Rowland was born in Scott Township, (near Mount Albert), York County, Ontario on the 19th of April, 1879. Dr. Rowland was the 4th of 7 children born to Robert Rowland and the former Sophia French. His father was born in Ireland and his mother was born in Ontario. Dr. Rowland’s parents were farmers and his siblings were; Thomas Rowland (born on the 28th of August, 1867), Anna Jane (born in 1870 and died in 1871), Robert Albert Rowland (born on the 18th of February 1877), Agnes Minetti Rowland (born on the 5th of August, 1882), Florence Ethel Rowland (born on the 3rd of January, 1885) and William Franklin Rowland (born on the 28th of July, 1887).  In 1870, Mr. Rowland served as the Deputy Reeve of Scott Twp.

Dr. Rowland was raised and educated in York County.  Dr. Rowland received his under-graduate degree from the University of Toronto in 1901.  He taught Latin, English and Greek at Upper Canada College and Ridley College for three years before attending medical school.  Dr. Rowland graduated M.B. from The University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in 1908.  According to the 1928 Ontario Medical Register, Dr. Rowland joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 2nd of July, 1908.  His first medical practice was in Wallaceburg.

Dr. Rowland married Kathleen Gertrude Moran on the 29th of June, 1910 in Toronto.  Mrs. Rowland was born in Wellington County, Ontario on the 30th of August, 1885.  Mrs. Rowland was the 6th of 11 children born to William Moran and the former Sarah Cassin.   Her parents were farmers and her siblings were; Thomas Ignatius Moran, Hugh John Moran, Robert Austin Moran, Rose Mary Moran, William Joseph Moran, Charles Joseph Moran, Grace Ann Moran, James Moran, Eva Elizabeth Moran and Frank Leo Moran.

Dr. and Mrs. Rowland had one son, Charles Kenneth Rowland, who was born in Wallaceburg, Ontario on the 10th of December, 1911.

Mrs. Rowland died on the 1st of March, 1913 of septicemia.  She was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Wallaceburg.

Dr. Rowland appears in the 1913 Bell Telephone Directory.  His office was located on James Street and his telephone number was 25.

Dr. Rowland married Dora Janet Taylor on the 27th of June, 1918. Mrs. Rowland was born in Dresden, Ontario on the 30th of July, 1889. Mrs. Rowland was the 5th of 8 children born to Samuel F. Taylor and the former Martha M. Roberts.  Her father was a butcher and her siblings were; Beryl Starr Taylor, Roy Taylor, Mildred Agnes Taylor, John Clayton Taylor, Martha Adelia Taylor, Eva Leona Taylor and Ila Madeline Taylor.  By the time Mrs. Rowland was 12 years old her family had moved to Wallaceburg.

Dr. and Mrs. Rowland had 2 daughters.  Dorothy Jean Rowland was born on the 28th of August, 1919 and Mary Rowland was born on the 16th of March, 1921.  Dr. and Mrs. Rowland and their children moved to Walkerville in Essex County around 1921.  According to the 1921 census, the family resided at 54 Kildare Road.

Dr. Rowland returned to Wallaceburg in 1923 and he took over the medical practice of Dr. William Hird.  Dr. Rowland served on Wallaceburg Town Council and he was a member of the Board of Education for 21 years.  Dr. and Mrs. Rowland lived at 88 Phair Ave. in Wallaceburg.

Dr. Rowland retired in 1945.  He died on the 19th of July, 1949 at the Public General Hospital in Chatham.  At the time of his death, Dr. and Mrs. Rowland resided at 412 Wallace Street.  Mrs. Rowland died on the 7th of February, 1971.  Dr. and Mrs. Rowland were buried at Riverview Cemetery in Wallaceburg.

*Dr. Rowland’s son Charles Kenneth Rowland served during World War II as a gunner with the Canadian Armed Services.  He served overseas in England, Holland and Germany.  He is featured on the ‘Gathering Our Heroes’ website.

**Mrs. Kathleen Gertrude Rowland’s brother, Frank Leo Moran served with the Canadian Armed Services during WWI.

**Dr. William Hird also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.