Shasta-Placer County CA Archives Biographies.....Lowdon, Thomas 1827 - 
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Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891)

THOMAS LOWDON.—Among the prominent residents who have identified themselves with
French Gulch and the mining interests of Shasta County is the subject of this
sketch. Mr. Lowdon has been a resident of this county for twenty-seven years. A
brief review of his life is as follows: He was born in Westmoor village, near
New-Castle-on-Tyne, Northumberland County, England, July 12, 1827, the son of
Richard and Isabella Lowdon, natives of the same county, in which their son was
born. Mr. Lowdon's early life was spent at his native place and his education
was obtained there. He learned the business of coal mining in all its
departments and became an expert coal miner. In 1849 he emigrated to
Pennsylvania and engaged in coal-mining in Schuylkill County for ten years. He
came to Forest Hill, Placer County, California, in 1859, and turned his
attention to gold-mining, remaining there three years without meeting with
success. The mine, in which he lost $3,000, afterward sold for $225,000. In 1863
he came to French Gulch, Shasta County. Mr. Lowdon worked a few months for the
Washington company. He then purchased a tenth interest in the Highland mine,
worked it three years, and took out $130,000 for the company. In 1867 he sold
his share for about $1,000. Since then he bought back one-half of the Highland
mine and mill and is working it successfully. After the sale of the mine in 1867
he prospected and engaged in the lumber business at French Gulch, continuing it
for seven years. In 1875 he returned to his old home in England to visit his
parents and friends and to introduce miners' squibs, a machine in which he was
interested and with which he was successful. He visited the Centennial at
Philadelphia, and the following year returned to England and established the
business of manufacturing miners' squibs. He then came back to his home at
French Gulch, where he has since resided, being engaged in prospecting for gold,
mining and ranching.

  In 1865 Mr. Lowdon built the comfortable home in which he resides with his
family. He was married, in 1847, to Miss Isabella Brownlees, a native of
Oornhill, Northumberland County, England. They had three children, all born in
Pennsylvania, viz.: John R., George B. and Isabella. The latter is now the wife
of George Simmons. Mrs. Lowdon died in 1875.

  Politically Mr. Lowdon is a Republican. In 1880 he was elected Justice of the
Peace, has been re-elected several times, and is now (1890) the nominee of his
party for that office. He was reared by Methodist parents, and in his religious
views is very liberal. He is a most worthy and reliable man, and is held in high
esteem by his fellow-citizens.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.

Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast
from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with
Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of
Prominent Citizens of To-day.

"A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendents." – Macauley.

CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1891.


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