WI BIO - Adams Co - ROUS, Francis Marion

Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
Wisconsin. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, pp 484-485

Francis Marion ROUS, residing on Section 20, Monroe Township, was born 10 May 
1854 in Otsego County, New York, the son of Israel C. and Margaret (GARDNER) 
ROUS. His father [Israel C. ROUS] was a cooper by trade and also followed 
farming. He [Israel C. ROUS] worked at his trade in Lawrence, [Nassau 
County] New York, and in 1856 came to Adams County, Wisconsin, and located in 
Preston Township. He purchased 200 acres of wild land, and has about 100 
acres under cultivation. He was among the earliest settlers of Monroe 
Township, and still resides on his homestead, engaged in general farming. He 
[Israel C. ROUS] has reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years, and 
enjoys good health, while his estimable wife [Margaret (GARDNER) ROUS] is 
eighty-three years of age, and is possessed of good health. Eight children 
were born to them [to Israel C. and Margaret (GARDNER) ROUS], of whom our 
subject [Francis Marion ROUS] was the seventh in order of birth.

Francis Marion ROUS attended school and later assisted his father on the farm 
until he reached his majority, when he moved into Big Flats Township [Adams 
County, Wisconsin], and engaged in farming there about three years. He then 
removed to Monroe Township [Adams County], and purchased 160 acres of land, 
on Section 20, which is his present home. He has about 50 acres under 
cultivation, has erected a substantial and commodious dwelling and barns, and 
is engaged in general farming. His farm is not among the largest in the 
vicinity, but for its size, Adams County cannot boast a more pleasant home or 
better improved farm, and a visit to the estate would at once convince one of 
his thrift and the care exercised in its management.

On 22 February 1873 Mr. [Francis Marion] ROUS was married to [Miss] Charlotte 
GLEASON [his first wife], daughter of Ira and Eunice GLEASON, of Monroe 
Township [Adams County, Wisconsin.] The father, Ira GLEASON, a farmer, 
removed with his family from Cattaraugus County, New York, to Adams County 
[Wisconsin] in the winter of 1856. He settled down to farming, in which he 
prospered and continued during his life. He [Ira GLEASON] died in 1864, his 
[first] wife [Eunice GLEASON] preceding him to the grave three years [1861?].

They [Ira and Eunice GLEASON] had three children: Charlotte [who married 
Francis Marion ROUS], Harriet, and Eunice. The father [Ira GLEASON] married 
a second wife, [Miss?] Mary BASSETT, by whom he had two children: Ira A., 
and Mariette. Mr. and Mrs. ROUS [Francis Marion and Charlotte (GLEASON) 
ROUS] are the parents of seven children: (1) Charles L., residing in Mellon 
[County], Wisconsin; (2) Clement R., (3) E. Winifred, (4) Edna M., (5) B. 
Harry, (6) Nye M., and (7) Mattie A.

Mr. [Francis Marion] ROUS is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and 
is at present clerk of the Spring Creek Lodge of that order. He is a 
Republican, takes an active part in the affairs of his party, and has 
attended numerous conventions of the party as delegate. He has filled 
various offices of trust in Monroe Township, and is at present chairman of 
the township board, and has been clerk, aside from other positions. He 
wields an influence for good which is felt throughout his county, and his 
name would frequently occur in a history of that vicinity. He is ever 
looking to the better interests of his community, and, [p 485] although he 
does not seek public favor, is well known and enjoys an excellent reputation.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly