The Honourable William Earl Rowe 1894-1984

Photo by Alan L Brown - June 28, 2004

Plaque Location

The County of Simcoe
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury
In Newton Robinson, on Line 10 Road just east of County Road 27, street number 4306

Plaque Text

A veteran parliamentarian who subsequently served as Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, Rowe was born in Hull, Iowa and raised in Simcoe County. He early exhibited an interest in politics and in 1923 was elected to the provincial legislature as the Conservative member for Simcoe South. Two years later Rowe contested and won the federal seat for Dufferin-Simcoe, embarking upon a career in the House of Commons which, with the exception of one interruption during the late 1930's, spanned almost four decades. For his lengthy and dedicated service, he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario in 1963. Upon leaving public life five years later, Rowe retired here to his farm where he had long operated a successful horse breeding and harness racing business.