Fourth Generation

17. Thomas Irving ROWAN II was born in January 1865 in Wisconsin.^8,16 He appeared in the census in 1870 in Lafayette Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴ He appeared in the census in 1880 in Lafayette Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶ Thomas appeared in the census in 1900 in Lafayette Township, Monroe County, WI.⁸ His occupation was "Farmer." He appeared in the census in 1910 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.⁷ His occupation was "Farmer." He died in 1941 at the age of 76.¹⁶ Thomas was buried in 1941 in Warrens, Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁶ in the Warren Mills Cemetery.

Thomas Irving ROWAN II and Ida Mae SHELLY were married on 1 January 1896 in Trout Falls, LaFayette Township, Monroe County, WI.^10,17,18,19 (His name was listed as "Thomas Irving" in the Marriage Registration Index.)

From an article in the Tomah Journal: "She was one of the founding members of the Kirby Homemakers Club, which was organized 15 December 1928 at Ella Sell's home. The members were Ella Sell, Mary Ann Vandervort, Mae Edgerton, Norma Randall, Martha Stellings, Gayle Arity, Ida Rowan, Lottie Rose, Lulu Dickinson and Ida Gabower. Mabel Sweet and Mary Vandervort joined at the second meeting.

Some early lessons included reed weaving, rug braiding, upholstering, making foot-stools, sulphured apples, toilet soap and dress forms.

The latter proved hilarious. One member put a gauze short-sleeved shirt on over her girdle. Then members pasted her shut by covering the shirt with gummed paper tape. When dry, it was like wearing a suit of armor. Then someone snipped from the back of the neck down, from the bottom of the shirt up; same in the front. The two pieces were pasted together, put on a standard, and, like it or not, there was your shape." Ida Mae SHELLY, daughter of George SHELLY and Laura UNKNOWN (SHELLY), was born in February 1873 in Wisconsin.^7,8,16 She appeared in the census in 1900 in Lafayette Township, Monroe County, WI.⁸ She appeared in the census in 1910 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.⁷ Ida died in 1960 at the age of 87.¹⁶ She was buried in 1960 in Warrens, Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁶ in the Warren Mills Cemetery.

Thomas Irving ROWAN II and Ida Mae SHELLY had the following children: