Charles S. Rowell, a farmer and the Postmaster of West Hopkinton, was born June 26, 1857, in the house which he now occupies, son of Isaac and Harriet (Adams) Rowell. This farm was owned by his great-grandfather, who settled here shortly after the Revolutionary War, probably about 1780, and was the birthplace of his grandfather, Moses Rowell, who was born November 29, 1776. Moses lived on the farm both during his father’s lifetime and after his death, when he became its owner. At one time he owned some mills; but after a while he sold them, devoting himself exclusively to the farm. On November 26, 1801, he married Tamesin Eastman, who had eight children-Abram, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Abram, Isaac, Albert G., Achsa, and Roxana. Abram died at the age of seven years, Albert at the age of five, and Achsa in infancy.
Isaac Rowell, born April 19, 1813, remained on the farm with his father until he was sixteen years of age. Then he learned the carpenter’s trade, which he afterward followed until his marriage, on which occasion he returned to the farm. He made several additions to the farm, which contained in his time about three hundred acres of land. In 1840, February 20, he married Harriet R. Adams, a daughter of James and Lydia Johnson Adams, of Henniker. They had five children, namely: James A. and Harriet Ella, who died in infancy; Harriet Ella (second), who on October 24, 1866, married Frank Howlett, of Bradford; Mary E., who married June 9, 1874, George Gove, of Henniker; and Charles S., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Howlett died June 23, 1873.
Charles S. Rowell has spent his life on the farm, which was also the home of his father, his grandfather, and his great-grandfather. He has made the dairy the especial feature. Since the post-office was established at West Hopkinton, May 29, 1857, when Joseph P. Dow was made Postmaster, it has been twice in charge of members of the Rowell family. Charles Rowell has now held the position for eighteen years. He married Florence S. Goodwin, December 25, 1882. They have no children. The Rowells have been a family of stanch Democrats. An industrious farmer and a good citizen, Charles S. Rowell is much esteemed by all who know him.