John A. Rowland facts for kids

John A. Rowland was an important early settler and rancher in the eastern San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County, California. He and his family played a big role in the region's early growth. The community of Rowland Heights, California is even named after him.

John Rowland's Early Life

John Albert Rowland was born on April 15, 1791, and passed away on October 13, 1873. There are some questions about where he was born, either Cecil County, Maryland, or Pennsylvania. People also wonder if "Albert" was really his middle name, as he never used it on official papers.

In the early 1800s, the Rowland family moved to Morgan County, Ohio. As a young man, John Rowland likely traveled along the Ohio River to the Mississippi, then to St. Louis. From there, he probably followed the Missouri River to Franklin, which was then the western edge of the United States.

In 1823, he used the new Santa Fe Trail to move to the Mexico territory of Nuevo Mexico, which is now the U.S. state of New Mexico. Rowland was said to be trained as a surveyor. He moved to San Fernando de Taos and worked as a fur trapper for a while. Later, he ran a flour mill. In 1825, he became a Mexican citizen and then married María Encarnación Martínez.

Journey to California: The Workman-Rowland Party

In Taos, John Rowland became good friends and business partners with William Workman. They decided to leave New Mexico.

In September 1841, Rowland and Workman, along with about two dozen other Americans and Europeans, left New Mexico for California. They traveled along the Old Spanish Trail. About 25 more New Mexican immigrants joined their group. They left Abiquiú, New Mexico, which is north of Santa Fe.

They chose to travel in the fall because there was enough grass and water for their animals. The large size of their group also helped keep them safe from attacks. This journey is often called the "Workman-Rowland Party." They arrived in southern Alta California on November 5, 1841.

Building a Ranch: Land and Cattle

In early 1842, John Rowland asked for a land grant for himself. He was given preliminary ownership of the 11,740-acre (48 km²) Rancho La Puente.

After getting the land grant, Rowland returned to New Mexico in April 1842 to bring his family to California. They arrived in Los Angeles in December of the same year. By the next summer, Rowland built an adobe home about a mile east of Workman's home. They started improving the land as required by the grant. They likely traded animal hides and fat.

In 1845, the land grant was made permanent for both Rowland and Workman. The grant was extended to 48,790-acre (197 km²).

In 1847, Rowland built the first private grist mill (a mill for grinding grain) in the Los Angeles area. It was located not far from his home. Rowland was very successful with his cattle, crops, orchards, and vineyards. He even showed off his wheat at a California State Fair in the early 1850s. Both Rowland and Workman sold some of their grapes to winemakers.

By the early 1860s, their ranches were very impressive. A visitor saw many cattle, horses, vineyards, and orchards. Rowland was in a good spot because the San Jose River ran through his land. This helped him grow all kinds of fruits and vegetables.

Around 1851, Rowland and Workman informally divided the land. Rowland took about 29,000-acre (117 km²) in the eastern part. Workman received the 20,000-acre (81 km²) western part. In 1867, they received a U.S. patent for their land. This made their land claim official after a long process required by law.

Both Rowland and Workman supported the Union during the U.S. Civil War. They provided horses to the government. In 1872, the railroad came to Los Angeles. This connected the city to the rest of the country. Rowland and Workman were said to dislike the railroad crossing their rancho. However, parts of the rancho were sold to the railroad.

Rowland kept most of his La Puente land until he died. After his death, the land was divided among his second wife and his children. In the 1880s, new towns like Puente and Covina were created from Rowland's part of the rancho. Oil was also found in the Puente Hills on land left to his youngest son, William R. Rowland. William started the very successful Puente Oil Company. Today, some of Rowland's descendants still own land in the City of Industry and Rowland Heights. This land is leased for businesses.

John Rowland's Family Life

John and Encarnación Rowland had ten children. Two of their sons, John and Thomas, married daughters of Bernardo Yorba from the Rancho Cañón de Santa Ana. A third son, William R. Rowland, married Manuelita, a daughter of Isaac Williams. Isaac Williams owned Rancho Santa Ana del Chino. William R. Rowland later became the Sheriff of Los Angeles for two terms. He also became president of the Puente Oil Company, drilling oil wells on his land. Encarnación Rowland passed away in 1851.

In 1852, Rowland married Charlotte M. Gray. She was a widow with three children from her first husband, John B. Gray. John and Charlotte had a daughter named Mary Agnes Gray. Mary Agnes married General Charles Forman, who later helped create Toluca Lake.

John Rowland died in October 1873. He is buried at El Campo Santo Cemetery. This cemetery is located on the grounds of the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum.

John Rowland's Legacy

The John A. Rowland House was built in 1855 for Rowland's second wife, Charlotte. It is the oldest brick building still standing in southern California. The house is on Gale Avenue in the City of Industry, California. The Historical Society of La Puente Valley owns it and is working to restore it.

Just east of Hacienda Heights is the community of Rowland Heights, which is named after him. John A. Rowland High School is also located there. Rowland Avenue in West Covina, California and Rowland Elementary School are also named in his honor.