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- Garold was born At What Cheer,Iowa on May 22,190. Moved with his parents to the Pershing,Iowa area,attended schools at Pershing and Attica,graduating from Attica High School,then Attended Central College at Pella,Iowa.Garold,or "Pete" as he was known was very active in Football,Basketball and Baseball while attending College,becoming the first four year letterman in each sport as well as being elected as captain of the teams numerous times.
After he graduated from college "Pete" became employed with the College Springs,Iowa Public school system as a History & Civics teacher,as well as coaching the Baseball and Basketball teams,for nearly 10 years serving as Sup intendant .After one of his first paychecks arrived "Pete" bought his mother her first powered washing machine.
"Pete" married Marjorie Edith Mitchell on August 6,1930,Marjorie also taught school in the Northboro and Clarinda school systems,at Pershing,Iowa.Marjorie
taught 5th & 6th grades at Northboro from 1927-1929, then taught 6th grade at Clarinda during the 1929-30 school years.
"Pete" & Marjorie had four sons born during their stay at College Springs, Donald Lee born 10-28-1933, Richard Garold born March 16,1935(both at home.a Dr. Miller MD lived across the alley from the Rowland home),James Mitchell born
April 24,1936 and Gordon Allen born January 18,1938."Pete" was kidded many times about raising his own basketball team.
During the summer of 1939 the Rowlands moved to St. Charles Iowa where "Pete" had been selected Superintendant of Schools,remaining for two years.
During this period "Pete" & Marjorie had purchased a farm near Knoxville,Iowa with a hired man living on & managing the farm. In midsummer 1941 the decision was made to move to the farm and to quit teaching.
After World War 2 started "Pete" wanted to do his part,attempting to enlist but with all the injuries he had sustained in sports could'nt pas the physical.The war caused a shortage of teachers thus Garold returned to teaching Political Science in the Knoxville School System,he also returned to coaching in football,baseball and girls six-on-six basketball taking two teams to the State Tourney in Des Moines in 1949 and 1951. With the boys growing up it became their lot to do "Chores" on the farm whenever they weren't involved in sports,especially during the evening chore time after school ,and of course during the spring, summer and fall months when "Pete" would be busy with coaching.
Pete started to raise registered Hereford Cattle,establishing an extensive herd which was still growing at the time of his unexpected death in June 1952. The boys were involved in the cattle operation as well as they were all active in 4-H & showing their beef projects at the County and State Fairs.
"Pete's " funeral had over 1200 persons in attendance which showed the respect the community had for him. His death was front page news in the Des Moines registers sports section. Jim Zabel,the voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes on WHO Radio was one of many who attended his funeral.The High School yearbook in 1953 was dedicated to his memory.
After Garold's death Marjorie and the boys remained on the farm for six years.The older boys, Don and Richard, each assisted their mother in running the farm,with a lot of help from "Pete's" father Thomas D. Rowland. The farm was sold with Marjorie finding work as a dential assistant in Knoxville,her first job outside of the home since she had quit teaching in 1933.
As the boys grew draft age they were drafted into the military,with the exception of Richard who had a hearing defect, then each went on to either college, or marriage establishing their own families and job fields.
antidote: Gordon had joined his brothers in the hay mow for a game of basketball one Sunday afternoon.Shortly thereafter he came back to the house crying loudly telling his mother " Those guys don't even cheat fair". I believe "Pete" would have laughed ,telling Gordon to get back out their and into the game.
Facts about this person:
Burial June 06, 1952
Zion Methodist Church/Pershing,Iowa /Marion County
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1905 - 1952 (47 years)
