James Rowe was born on January 1, 1865, in Horrabridge, Devonshire, England. After spending four years working for the Irish government, he emigrated to America at the age of 24. In the United States, he initially worked on the railroads in New York for a decade before becoming an inspector for the Hudson River Humane Society. Rowe later transitioned into the music industry, working for music publishers in Texas and Tennessee. In his later years, he also wrote verses for greeting cards. James Rowe was a prolific hymn writer, with notable works including "God Holds the Future in His Hands," "Love Lifted Me," and "Sweeter as the Days Go By." He passed away on November 10, 1933, in Wells, Vermont.