˪ 5.5 Arthur Rowland was born during 1875, in Perth (WA Birth Reg: 16557/1875). His father Michael Johnson Rowland was at that time, a butcher, living in Stirling Street. This was the same year that on the 11th of January, William Robinson arrives in Western Australia to become the Governor of the colony.
Arthur travelled, as a baby, in 1878, north to the Irwin area with his parents, Michael and Rebecca Rowland.
Many years later, aged 33 years, during 1908, and again in 1910, his address was 'the Railway Siding, Greenough' and was employed as ‘a Fettler’.
His father, Michael Johnson Rowland died during February 1916, when Arthur was 41 years old.
Arthur travelled, as a baby, in 1878, north to the Irwin area with his parents, Michael and Rebecca Rowland.
Many years later, aged 33 years, during 1908, and again in 1910, his address was 'the Railway Siding, Greenough' and was employed as ‘a Fettler’.
His father, Michael Johnson Rowland died during February 1916, when Arthur was 41 years old.
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Arthur married late. He married the widow, Gertrude "Gertie" Imelia Rowland (nee Pell, born on 15th August 1892, Dongara). Gertie was the widow of his cousin, Silas John Rowland. [10.5] This marriage was following Silas's untimely death, Killed in Action, during August 1917.
Arthur and Gert were married during 1925, in Perth. (WA Marriage Reg. Perth: 604/1925) Arthur was then aged 50 years old. The widow Gertrude was aged 33 years. They had no further family. Gertrude had been looking after her two sons, the 13-year-old Ivo John Rowland, [10.5.1] and ten-year-old Vivian George Rowland, [10.5.2] since Silas had been killed in the war. 
Gertrude Rowland (nee Pell) and sons Ivo and Vivian Rowland (via Irwin Historical Society)
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Arthur Rowland circa 1930.
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Arthur went on and bought the old farm, which was originally selected by his grandfather, Richard Rowland during 1863.
In the 1927 Post Office Directory, Arthur is listed as: 'Farmer, Dongara'.
Arthur's mother, Rebecca Rowland died when Arthur was then 57 years old, during July 1932. His stepson, Vivian Rowland [10.5.2] then married Alice Kaynok during 1940. in the Murray District. Arthur and Gertrude then became grandparents when John Vivian Rowland [10.5.2.1] was born on the 27th of December 1941, at Dongara. Arthur's other stepson, Ivo Rowland lived in Dongara and never married.
 Arthur Rowland Gravesite (via Midwestwaheritage.com)
Arthur Rowland (the fifth child of Michael and Rebecca Rowland) died in the Rosella Hospital, Geraldton, on 1st of September 1944. He was aged sixty-nine years old. (WA Death Reg. 63/1944) Arthur was buried at Dongara Cemetery on the 3rd of September 1944 (Methodist, Grave 52). |
Death Notice 1944
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Gertrude Rowland continued to live in the main house on Lot 21 of Old East End in Dongara, until 1976 when at the age of 84, she built a new bungalow home on a lot on the opposite side of the main road. Domestic animals, such as ducks and fowls were left at the old house, and she tended them night and morning. Gertrude Rowland (nee Pell) lived on and celebrated her 97th birthday, during 1989 with her grandchildren. (Her sons Ivo Rowland had died in 1978, and Vivian Rowland during 1980.) |
Gertrude Rowland (nee Pell) aged 97 years.
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Gertrude Imelda Rowland (nee Pell) died in the Geraldton Nursing Home, many years later on the 27th of August 1991, aged 99 years. (WA Death Reg. Geraldton: 120/1991)
She was buried in the Dongara Cemetery on the 2nd of September 1991, in the Old Anglican section, Grave 133.
She was buried in the Dongara Cemetery on the 2nd of September 1991, in the Old Anglican section, Grave 133.
