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The Bosse family, 1906.  From left:  W.T., Ernest, Effie, Karl.

The Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room at the Transylvania
County Library is named for local historian Rowell Bosse.  Bosse was born on July 16, 1911 to William
Thomas and Effie DeLong Bosse.  He had
two older brothers, Ernest (1903-1924) and Karl (1905-1947).  Rowell graduated from Brevard High School in
1929 and worked at Transylvania Tanning for several years. 

Rowell Bosse, left, WWII.

Bosse entered active service with the U.S. Army on January
7, 1943.  He served in Europe and was
involved in battles at Normandy and Rhineland. 
Bosse was awarded the EAME Campaign Medal with four bronze stars.  He was discharged on November 2, 1945.

In May 1948
Rowell Bosse began working as a cashier for Transylvania Trust on Main St. in Brevard.  He worked for the bank for 28 years, even as
it was bought out and changed names. 

When First
Union National Bank opened a Rosman branch in February 1958 Bosse was placed in
charge of it.  The Rosman bank was robbed
on October 26, 1964 and again on April 29, 1966.  Both times Bosse was working.  It was robbed a third time in August 1966
while he was on vacation.  Although the
thieves got away with money all three times, Bosse’s calm and clear thinking
helped lead to their capture and prosecution. 
One of the August 1966 thieves was involved in the April hold-up and
Rowell was able to identify him after his capture.

Rowell Bosse
retired from banking in 1976 and began full-time pursuit of his main
interests—hiking, fishing, camping, botany, and history.

Next week’s
article will focus on Bosse’s activities with the North Carolina Bartram Trail
Society, the Historic Properties Commission and the Transylvania County
Historical Society.  Throughout July, the
2nd floor display cases at the Library will feature materials
representing his life and interests.  On
Friday, July 15 there will be a celebration of Rowell’s preservation efforts
and their continuation with a brief presentation at 1:00 pm.

Photographs and information
for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room,
Transylvania County Library.  Visit the
NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our
history and see additional photographs. 
For more information, comments or suggestions contact Marcy at
[email protected] or 828-884-3151 X242.

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(828) 884-3151

212 S Gaston St, Brevard, NC 28712