William Rowlands was born at Aberbrwynen Farm, Llanychairan, Llanfarian in 1835. The family moved to Tanrallt Farm he was raised and worked with his father as a butcher and farmer. William moved to Cardigan when he was 25 years old where he was a butcher for 10 years. William married Mary Thomas , her father was Mr Thomas Thomas Cardigan’s Customs Officer and William worked in his wife’s Grandmother’s butcher shop. In 1869, William was almost penniless and returned to Aberystwyth with his family. He started his business using the profit of buying and selling an animal. After other butchers in the town had refused the offer to buy a heavy bullock which was old and used to work the farm, William purchased the beast. Mr Pugh, Pencwmawr, a relative prevailed on William to take the best from him. William took the beast to Levelfawr – the lead mines were in their heyday at this time. The bullock was cut up and sold at a considerable profit. This transaction showed his business acumen and was the foundation of his business empire. By the time of his death there were three living children from his first marriage: Tom Rowlands (Butcher Bridge St), David Morgan Rowlands (Rev Belmont, Shrewsbury) and Mrs Mary (nee Rowlands) Jenkins Frongoch Dairy and Farm Little Dark Gate St and then Canada. There were 9 children alive from the second marriage at his death. The youngest Sophia Maria was 7 years old. Johnny Rowlands (Jack) was not at his father’s funeral because he was serving in the Imperial Yeomanry regiment under Lord Methuen in South Africa. He first traded in the Market Hall, Market St. but he quickly moved to a premises in Princess Street and then to 30 (now 59) North Parade. A few years later William moved his business and traded on the corner of North Parade and Mary Street (Terrace Rd). From here he built a very profitable business and began a lucrative property portfolio. The great flood of 1884 saw William acquire 9 North Parade which he rebuilt and to which he transferred his business. On the day of his removal saw William pile items from his shop an upturned table and move to the new shop. He purchased a number of business premises in North parade and “it was publicly remarked at the time that the transaction was rash and foolish. Time has shown that the investment was a profitable one, as the property is amongst the most valuable in town at the present time”. William tenanted Bryncarnedd Farm, Nr Aberystwyth and in his latter years he had practically retired from the shop and devoted himself to very successfully breeding sheep, horses and cattle. He frequently won prizes in local agricultural shows. In his latter years he was subject to attacks of bronchitis – but it was reported that he had got rid of this illness. Close to his death he complained of a cold and on the Friday evening of his death he had retired to his bed as usual, apparently in good health. Shortly afterwards he complained to Margaret that he felt unwell and he died 10 minutes later. He had been in what is described as ‘robust health’ during the day. He died of heart disease and before any medical assistance could be summonsed. William was the son of Joel William Rowlands, his grandfather was known as the celebrated William Rowlands, Cwrt-y-Cwm, Blaenplwyf. His grandfather, William, was one of the most prominent Methodists in Wales and regarded as one of the oracles of the denomination. He attended meetings of the Association all over Wales and he was in demand as a presenter at ‘Cymanfaoedd’. The history of his life was published in a ‘Memoir’ printed in 1856.