R. E. ROWLAND, PIONEER OF '49, DIES IN BERKELEY
Prominent Rancher and Former Wholesale Grocer Passes Away at Ripe Old Age

BERKELEY, March 14. -Richard Edward Rowland, pioneer groceryman and rancher of California and an uncle of the late William E. Dargie, died at his residence, 2214 Chapel street, last evening. He had been ill for the last eight weeks and under the care of Dr. H. F. Kergan, but his advanced age finally assisted his malady in claiming him.
Rowland was a native of Ireland, where he was born in 1834. With his parents he went to Australia while still a lad, and in 1849 he came to California from Australia. He located first in San Francisco, where he engaged in the grocery business, becoming senior member of the wholesale and retail grocery firm of Howland, Walker & Tinkerstrom. Thirty-seven years ago Rowland retired from this firm and moved to Contra Costa county, He settled on ranching property near Orinda Park, which he retained until five and a half years ago, when he disposed of his holdings and moved to Berkeley, retiring from active life. Rowland married, while a resident of San Francisco, Miss Emily Burke, the daughter of John Burke, a prominent pioneer merchant of San Francisco
His sister, Miss Eliza Rowland, was the mother of William E. Dargie, late proprietor of THE OAKLAND TRIBUNE. In addition to a widow Mr. Rowland leaves two sons and three daughters as follows: Edward Rowland of Walnut Creek, Mrs. Martha R. Stewart of Visalia, Mrs. Emilie Watterbury of Stanislaus county, Miss Louise E. Rowland of Berkeley and William B. Rowland of Bakersfield.
An announcement of the funeral plans will be made later this week. The funeral and interment will be private and a request has been made that flowers be omitted.
Mr. Rowland retained his clearness of mind until the time of his death and in the last few days had made provision for his family, whom he left in comfortable circumstances. His death occurred at 9:30 o'clock last night.
[Oakland Tribune 14 Mar 1912]