Fostoria native famous doctor in U.S. and abroad
Thursday May 26, 1988

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Pix #1 - A. James Rowan, M.D. at graduation from Fostoria High School

Pix #2 - Recent picture of A. James Rowan, M.D.

Only a few Fostoria residents are probably aware that A. James Rowan, born and reared in Fostoria, and graduate of Fostoria High School has gained fame as a physician, specializing in seizure disorders, anticonvulsant drugs, and elecroencephalography.

After graduating from FHS in 1953, Rowan attended and graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Cambridge, Mass. Following that he attended and graduated from Stanford University School of Medicine at Palo Alto, Calif. where he received his medical degree.

Continued studies for his life work Rowan also received post-graduate training in neurology and electroencephalography at Mount Sinai Hospital, Boston V.A. Hospital, The Neurological Institute in New York and The London Hospital.

Previous faculty appointments were held at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Dr. Rowan is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Neurological Association, the American Academy of Neurology, the American Epilepsy Society, and the Association for Research in Nervous and Mental Disease. He is also a Fellow of the American Electroencephalographic Society.

Published more than 50 articles about profession Currently an investigator in several research projects related to seizure disorders, Dr. Rowan has also published more than 50 articles on epilepsy, anticonvulsant drugs, and electroencephaloghraphy. In his lectures, he focuses on pharmacotherapy and intensive neurodiagnostic monitoring including cable telemetry/video-taping and ambulatory EEG cassette monitoring? Dr. Rowan's presentations are entitled:

1) Intensive Neurodiagnostic Monitoring: Techniques and Contributions to Diagnosis and Treatment in Epilepsy.

2) Epileptic vs. Psychogenic Seizures: Differential Diagnosis Using Intensive EEG/Video Monitoring.

3) Pharmacotherapy in Epilepsy: Recent Advances and Practical Advice.

Works out of 3 New York offices

Rowan headquarters at the Veterans Administration in the Bronx, N.Y. and also maintains offices at Mount Sinai Hospital, and at 1150 Park Ave., both in New York.

It was while Rowan was in Holland for two years working at the largest Epilepsy center in the world that he and Nate Krupp, son of Paul H. and Cleo May Krupp, Fostoria residents, met by chance, giving each a chance to reminisce since their graduation in the same class from FHS in 1953.

Jim Rowan's earlier years

Evidently "participation and achieving” came natural to Rowan during his early life in Fostoria and set the stages for an active and successful life in his chosen adult career.

Here’s what the Fostoria High School Red & Black Annual for 1953 contained about Jim at graduation: "James Rowan"-Arbe Clyde". Our unduly gesticulating blandisher".

Hi-Y 2,3,4: National Honor 3,4: Modern Music Masters 4: Quill and Scroll 4; Annual Staff, Photo Editor 4; Journal Staff 3,4; One-Act Play 1,2,3,4; Director 4; Junior Class Play 3; Choir 2,3,4; Pep Band 1,2,3,4.

My recollection of the family

The one photo with today's article shows Jim Rowan when he graduated from FHS, and that's the way many readers will remember him. And it is the way I remember him, too.

I recall going into the Rowan Drug Store which Jim’s father Ross B., operated at 119 S. Main St. for several years, starting in 1938 and continuing until about 1941.

The Rowan family lived in Rowan Apts. at 136-140 Perry St. Dr. A. James Rowan's mother, Geraldine Rowan-Conrad, now resides in Bethesda, MD

"Calico" Charlie Foster Was Proud of His Tail

(Author's Note: Clayton Wolf, 215 E. Jones St. a retired policeman on the Fostoria Police Dept., brought a clipping to me he had saved for many years. It appeared in the Toledo Blade when Governor Charles Foster was still living. The article pertains to the Indian relics given to Foster when he was active in politics and visited the Indian territory in the West.)

Proud of His Tail (Toledo Blade)

Ohio has reached the summit of her wildest ambitions. She has furnished Presidents of the United States. She has seen her sons prominent in every walk of life. She has had a champion baseball club within her borders, and came within one of producing the champion prize fighter. It would seem as if, with this record behind her, she should have been satisfied. But there was still left an aching void, an unfulfilled ambition, a thing to work and wait for. At last it has come. A citizen of Ohio has been made an Indian chief. Think of the glory of it! Think also of the name, "Young Man Proud of His Tail." No longer will it be plain Charles Foster or Charles Foster, Esq./. or Governor Foster, or even "Calico Charley." It is "Young Man Proud of His Tail." Now perhaps Mr. Foster is not exactly a young man, but this is no reason why he should not be proud of his tail. In Turkey, a tail is a mark of high distinction and when one attained to them he was on the highest round of the ladder. As Tom Hood wrote:

I have for a son-in-law a very magnificent three-tailed Bashon.

In Scotland, in older days, the chieftains had their tails, composed of bands of armed men and the larger the "tail" the better chance did the aforesaid chieftain have when some slight difference of opinion arose between him and another chieftain over the proper division of stolen cattle, or who should pay for the drinks.

But although Governor Foster is now a bona fide chieftain with the trade mark blown in the bottle, his tail is of a different character. It consists of a war bonnet, decorated with feathers and a long tail of feathers falling down his back. According to Indian custom, the accompanying dress should be a liberal supply of war paint, a tomahawk, a scalping knife and enough of red flannel to serve as a breeches clout. It is not understood, however, that Gov. Foster intends to astonish Fostoria society in this full dress costume of the untamed west. In fact, it is believed that the refining influences of eastern civilization are yet strong enough with him to induce him to eat with a fork and still wear the clothes which his tailor assures him are "an exact counterpart of the last suit made for Benny Wall." But the "tail" has come to stay. He may only wear it on state occasions, and when he desires to make a special showing, but there can be no doubt that the imposing head dress of eagle feathers will make a most pleasing addition to Governor Foster’s mustache, imperial and swallow-tailed coat. No wonder he is proud of his tail.

Heed God’s Word

Way our savior would have us live

In the April issue of christian Life services Newletter, Editor Bob Fraley contributed the following, excerpted from a letter written by Alexander Hannibal Smith to his daughter, Anna, in 1899:

I am the more and more convinced that a constant and sincere Christian life is the most effectual in winning souls to Christ. The world is influenced more by what we do than by what we say. Therefore, it becomes us to have the Spirit dwelling in our hearts to enable us to serve God acceptably. I do solemnly believe that if all the professed followers of Christ would thus live, the world would be brought to Christ in a very short time. Let us never cease to labor and pray along that line. Our Christianity must take in more than one’s self. We want to continually to become more and more like Christ.

His example should be our highest aim. As the days and years go by, I realize a greater love for our Precious Saviour and a greater love for the souls of the unsaved. The Christian life should be a consecrated life; let us consecrate ourselves, our time, our talents, our influence, our all to our Blessed Master. This is the only safe place to dwell. If we are living thus, we are fortified and saved from the consequences of sin, and come what may, all is well. I know there is joy and peace in such a life. I can and do most earnestly recommend it.