Charles Dell Rowe was born May 26, 1934, in the home north of Sharon
     where we now live. This is the former Sharon Valley Fruit Farm.
       His grandfather, Adelpheous William (Dell) Rowe, came to Barber County
     from Illinois in the late 1800's with his parents, John and Margaret 
     Rowe. They lived on the Will Rowe place on the corner northwest of the
     high school. In 1900 Dell married Ethel Fair, who came here with her
     parents, the Charles Fairs, from Illinois when she ws 1 year old.
       Dell and Ethel had one son, Max, who was born July 17, 1901. They spent
     their entire married life on their farm south of Sharon that is now the
     home of their granddaughter, Doris Mathews.
       Dell and Max farmed and raised cattle. They drove their cattle to the
     stockyards at Sharon and shipped them to Kansas City, accompanying them
     on the train. Dell did not drive so whenever weather permitted, Ethel
     drove him to Sharon in their Model A Ford to play horseshoes and croquet.
       Max married Edna Blackmore in 1924 and had two children, Doris and 
     Charles.
       I was born to Curtis and Mildred Schiff on December 11, 1936. Charles
     and I grew up on farms only 4 miles apart, but we never met until after
     high school, although I used to watch Charles play basketball at Sharon.
       Charles attended Blackmore school for 6 years, then attended Jr. High
     and High School at Sharon, where he graduated in 1952. I attended Walstead
     School for 8 years, then attended Medicine Lodge High School, where I
     graduated in 1954.
       I was active in 4-H work for 10 years. I worked 2 years for South Central
     Telephone Co., then attended Pratt JuCo.
       Charles and I were married July 26, 1958, and lived in Sharon for 14 years.
     During this time Charles drove the school bus and farmed with his dad. After
     Max's death in 1972, Edna moved to town, and we moved to the farm 2 miles
     north and 3/4 miles west of Sharon that was bought by his Grandfather
     Blackmore in 1892 and has been in the family ever since.
       Our son, Gregory Dell, was born December 30, 1959, and Barbara Ellen was
     born October 3, 1961. On September 10, 1963, Debra Jo completed the family.
       The children have been active in 4-H work and many school activities, such 
     as plays, music, speech, and yearbooks. They participate in all sports, but
     Greg's favorite is football and the girls' favorite is track. We have always
     tried to find time to attend their many activities.
       Greg graduated from Sharon in 1978, where he was a member of the State
     Champion Football team. He was named All-State in football, at State Scholar,
     valedictorian, and received many other awards. He now attends Fort Hays
     State University. Barbara is a junior at Sharon, and Debbie is a freshman.
     The whole family helps out with the cattle and farming.
         
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 393  
     Submitted by: Donna Rowe