HON. A. P. ROWE,
Mayor of Fredericksburg, was born in Spottsylvania county, Virginia,
on November 17, 1817. In that county on June 2, 1845, he married
Almedia F. Gayle, who was born in Caroline county, Virginia, April 25,
1828. Their six children were born in the order named: G. Thomson
(now deceased), Maurice B., Ida G. (now married), Josiah P., A. P., Jr.,
and Alvin T.
Mr. Rowe was educated in Fredericksburg. In the year 1837 he commenced-business
with his father, a butcher and farmer at Fredericksburg,
which business was continued until 1848, when he went into the
same business for himself, and continued in the same until about 1873,
when the business was transferred to his sons, M. B. and J. P. During
the war he served in the quartermaster's department, C. S. A., collecting
cattle, etc., for the government, and estimating the same and forwarding
them to the chief of the department at Richmond. Was elected to
the Legislature in 1881 by a large majority of town and county, and
declined the renomination. Until July 1, 1888 he superintended the
farming operations and assisted in the outside business of his sons, and
on the last-named date entered on the duties of his present office as
mayor of the city. Himself and wife and their entire family are members
of the Baptist church, of Fredericksburg.
