Joseph Rowsell (1836-1910)

Joseph Rowsell was a quarryman in Redan, <1881-1910.

History
Joseph Rowsell was born in Glastonbury, Somerset, England, to Joseph Rowsell and Mary Ann Masters, in 1836.

He married Martha Ann Short in Victoria, on 24 January 1859. They had several children including:
 * James (1859, East Collingwood -1860)
 * Joseph (17 November 1860, Brunswick -1939)
 * George (1863, East Ballarat)
 * Henry (1865, East Ballarat)
 * John William (1867, East Ballarat -1950)
 * Mary Jane (1869, East Ballarat - 1873, Ballarat)
 * Elizabeth

In August 1873, his daughter, Mary Jane, died: "FUNERAL NOTICE.— The Friends of Mr JOSEPH ROWSELL are respectfully invited to follow the remains of his late beloved DAUGHTER Mary Jane, to the place of interment, the Ballarat New Cemetery. The funeral procession to move from his residence, No. 106 Ascot street south. This Day (Friday, the 8th instant), at Two o'clock pm. W. B. KING, Undertaker, Sturt street west near the Hospital."

In October 1881, Rowsell was one of the quarrymen who met with the council to discuss the danger that the quarry holes presented: "'...A goodly number of quarrymen assembled to meet the councillors. The first quarry inspected was the one situated at the western end of Latrobe street. Mr Hughes explained the position of the quarry, and said it was going to be fenced in. Mr Rowsell pointed out some fencing that had been done, and the feeling seemed to be that a fence should be run across the open space near the street...'"

In August 1886, Rowsell quarried the stone obelisk for the Eureka Memorial: "An immense block of stone, intended for the obelisk to surmount the Eureka Stockade monument, was taken by Messrs. Rowsell and Son from the Redan quarries a few days ago. The stone measure 12ft. 6in. by 4ft. 6in., and weighs about six tons."

In Withers History of Ballarat, he wrote "The builders of the monument were Rowsell and Son, the cost of stone and earthworks being £286 4s., raised by public subscriptions, organised and in part contributed by the honorary secretary and treasurer, and the committee—Messrs. Hickman, Ferguson, Salter, Lewis, Roff, Williams, Béchervaise, Spain, Josephs, Wilson, Dyte, and Hall."

In March 1891 the newspaper reported on the building of the Rodier Street bridge in Ballarat East: "The tender of Mr Rowsell, at £493, for the construction of the Rodier street bridge, was accepted." "The contractors, Messrs Rowsell and Son, have commenced the work of erecting the Rodier street bridge, Ballarat East. When completed, the bridge will greatly facilitate manufacturing operations at the establishments of Messrs Quayle and Williams, Cowley and Co., and other places."

In January 1892, Rowsell was granted the contract for kerbing in Sturt Street: "'...kerbing Sturt street, from Lyons to Raglan street, Joseph Rowsell, £147 3s 6d...'"

In August 1906, Rowsell chaired a meeting by a candidate for the council elections, Mr. W. D. Hill, at the Family Hotel in Darling Street: "Mr W. D. Hill addressed a crowded and enthusiastic meeting of the rate payers of the south ward at Kohl’s hotel, Darling street. Mr Joseph Rowsell, senior, occupied the chair, and introduced the candidate as one whom he had known for a quarter of a century...(Hill) pointed out that fully £1000 would be spent this year in filling up the Redan quarries, which would much improve that part of the ward, and continue Sebastopol Street through to Pleasant Street..."

Rowsell died on 27 April 1910: "ROWSELL.— On 27th April, at 504 Darling street, Joseph Rowsell, late of Glastonbury, Somerset, England; aged 74 years." "ROWSELL.—The friends of the late Mr Joseph Rowsell, sen., are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment; the Ballarat New Cemetery. The funeral, cortege is to leave his late residence, 504 Darling street, tomorrow (Friday), at 2 o’clock."

His wife, Martha, died in August 1911: "ROWSELL. —The friends of the late Mrs Martha Rowsell, relict of the late Mr Joseph Rowsell, are respectfully invited to follow her remains to the place of interment, the Ballarat New Cemetery. The Funeral cortege is appointed to leave her late residence, 504 Darling Street, to-morrow (Tuesday), at 2 o'clock."

His daughter, Elizabeth, married in June 1914: "M'CAUSLAND - ROWSELL .- On the 16th June, by the Rev. Sale-Harrison, John M'Causland, of Shepparton, to Elizabeth daughter of the late Joseph Rowsell of Darling street, Ballarat."