Three generations of the Rowley family served Middleton, Wisconsin for nearly a century as physicians and, from 1868 to about 1880, as operators of a drug store dealing in “drugs, paints, oils, groceries, and perfumes.”
Newman C. Rowley (1815?-1871) was born in the state of New York and taught school there circa 1837. He then studied at the Cincinnati College of Physicians and Surgeons. In 1849, he moved to Wisconsin to become apprenticed to a Dr. Evans at Janesville, who provided the funds for him to continue his studies. Shortly thereafter he was licensed and his daybook for 1851-1857 shows that he practiced at Verona, Wisconsin. In May 1864, he transferred his office to Middleton and practiced there until his death in 1871.
Antinous A. Rowley (1841-1902), son of Newman C. Rowley, was born in Ohio and moved to Wisconsin with his family. He served in the Civil War with the Eleventh Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment. Following his discharge for disability in 1863, he attended Rush Medical College, Chicago, and on graduation first practiced at Springfield Corners, Wisconsin. In 1868, he moved to Middleton to become associated with his father in both the practice of medicine and operation of the drug store. After his father's death, he worked alone (except for a brief period about 1875 when he was associated with Dr. A.O. Kendall) until he was joined by his son, Antinous Gilbert, in 1902.
A. Gilbert Rowley (1875-1956) was the younger of the two sons of Antinous A. Rowley. He was educated in Middleton and at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam before entering Rush Medical College. Receiving his medical degree in 1899, he practiced for a short time at Prairie du Chien with his brother, Dr. Jesse C. Rowley, but their father's illness prompted Gilbert to transfer his practice to Middleton in 1902. There his half-century of service to the people of Middleton made him one of the best known doctors in the area.
An informative article about the Rowley family of physicians, especially A. Gilbert Rowley, appears in “Doctor's Day in Middleton. Honoring Dr. Allen and Dr. Rowley for Their 50 Years of Service to the Community,” by the Middleton Doctor's Day Historical Committee (1949), available in the Society library.
