This cache is located along the Galena River Trail. Please read the cache listing for GC12W8G Galena River Trail for information on the trail.
Brevet Brigadier General of Volunteers William Reuben Rowley was born on Feb. 8, 1824 in Governor, New York. In the early 1840s he moved to Brown County, Ohio to teach, and in the mid-1840s he settled in Scales Mound to continue teaching. Rowley married Elizabeth Miller in 1847 and had four children. It was around this time that Rowley was appointed Assessor and Collector for Jo Daviess County. Between 1847 and 1861, Rowley held several other county government positions like Deputy Circuit Clerk and Sheriff. By 1861, the Rowleys were living at 515 Hill Street in Galena. On November 13, 1861 Rowley became First Lieutenant of Company D of the 45th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
He participated in the battle of Fort Donelson in February of 1862. Then was commissioned Captain and became aid-de-camp to Grant, who had been recently promoted to Major General of volunteers. Rowley fought in the battle of Shiloh and the Vicksburg campaign. When Grant was promoted Lieutenant General on March 2, 1864 Rowley was appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Military Secretary on Grant’s Staff. He held that position until his health forced him to resign from the army in October of that year.
Rowley returned to Galena as Circuit Clerk of Jo Daviess County. In July 1866, on the recommendation of Grant, Rowley was appointed brevet Brigadier General of volunteers for his service in the war. The Rowleys moved to 305 Park Avenue in 1869. Shortly after, Rowley and his son Lewis opened a real estate and insurance business on Main Street. Rowley was elected County Judge in 1877, a position he held until his death on February 9, 1886. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery.