BIO: John Henry LOWRY, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. _________________________________________________________________ JOHN HENRY LOWRY. As one of the representatives of the agricultural class of citizens of Beaver county, we take great pleasure in presenting the life record of the gentleman named above, one of the most progressive and influential farmers in North Sewickley township. He was born on Main street in Allegheny City, Pa., and is a son of John and Sarah (Wagoner) Lowry. John Lowry, the father of our subject, was born in the vicinity of Harrisburg, and was a young man when he removed to the city of Pittsburg. He was a bridge blacksmith by trade, and many old landmarks are standing, today, as monuments of his skill. The old covered bridge at Beaver Falls, and, in fact, nearly all of the covered bridges built in that region during his time, are the result of his workmanship. In the spring of 1857, he moved to North Sewickley township, where he bought a farm of one hundred acres. Prior to this, however, he had given up his trade, and for some years had been a stationary engineer in the city of Allegheny. After his removal he devoted all his time to farming, and when he purchased his property it was an unbroken piece of timber, but before his death most of it was cleared. He was a very industrious man and at the time of his death was in comfortable circumstances, financially. He was united in marriage with Sarah Wagoner, and their happy home was blessed by the birth of eight children, as follows: David E.; Martha Jane, the widow of A. J. Steele; Elizabeth Ann, deceased; John Henry, the subject hereof; Lucinda V., the wife of William Chaney, who resides at Conway, Pa.; William J., who resides at the home of John Henry Lowry; and two who died in early childhood. Politically, Mr. Lowry was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and was elected to a number of the township offices. The subject of this writing was but nine years of age when he removed with his father from Allegheny, where he had attended the common schools, to North Sewickley township. He continued to attend the public schools, acquiring a good intellectual training, and has lived on the farm, coming into full possession of it upon his father's demise. He has very successfully managed his affairs, and since buying an additional hundred acres of land, has as fine a property for agricultural purposes as Beaver county contains. He employs only the most approved methods of farming and has more than one thousand dollars' worth of improved machinery. His land is exceedingly rich with coal, having a five-foot vein, but is mined by outside parties, this being a source of considerable income to Mr. Lowry. He is a man of exceptionally strong character, a true friend and a devoted hus- BEAVER COUNTY 295 band and father. He has many friends and acquaintances throughout this section of the state, who respect him as a man of influence and true worth to the community. On September 2, 1882, Mr. Lowry was united in marriage with Elzena Fombell, of North Sewickley township, and three children are the issue of their union, as follows: Myrtle; Lulu; and John Roy. Politically, Mr. Lowry is a Democrat of the sturdiest type, and has been the incumbent of all the township offices. In a religious connection, he and his wife are conscientious members of the Presbyterian church.