Northumberland County PA Archives Biographies.....Lowry, Andrew M. 1837 - living in 1899

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Author: Biographical Publishing Co.





REV. ANDREW M. LOWRY. To be able to look back to a quarter of a century spent in

good works is indeed an enviable record, and such is the privilege of the

subject of this sketch, Rev. Andrew M. Lowry, a retired minister of the

Presbyterian Church, residing in Watsontown, who was born in Turbot township,

Northumberland County, Pa., June 21, 1820. He attended the public schools of his

native town and then took a classical course at McEwensville Academy, under the

able ministrations of Dr. Shedden. He afterwards attended Lafayette College of

Easton, Pa., which was presided over by Dr. Junken, who was so highly thought of

by his pupils that upon his resignation of the presidency of Lafayette, to

accept the same office in Washington College now known as Lee University of

Lexington, Va., he was accompanied to that institution by several of his

scholars, among whom was our subject, who was graduated from that college in

June, 1850. He then took a three-years' course in theology at Princeton Seminary

and afterwards spent one year in evangelistic work. He was ordained by the

Presbytery of Northumberland and received his first call from Port Carbon,

Schuylkill County, Pa. He accepted the call and for twenty-one years and six

months labored faithfully in the "vineyard of our Lord." He was most successful

in his work, and not only remodeled the church, but enlarged its membership most

materially during his years of occupancy. Though the spirit was willing the

flesh was weak, and much against his own and his parishioners' wishes our

subject was obliged, reluctantly, to retire from active work on account of his

health, which had failed him from the arduous labor performed in the faithful

discharge of his duties.



  Remembering fondly the lovely spot in which he was born, the beautiful valley

of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, Rev. Mr. Lowry decided to spend his

declining years in that vicinity, and built a fine residence in Watsontown at

the corner of Main and Fifth streets, where he and his two sisters now reside.



  Our subject's grandfather, Samuel Lowry, was born in Ireland, and was, as is

his grandson, a devout Presbyterian. He came to America and married Elizabeth

McClenathan; they settled in Columbia County, Pa., where they successfully

followed farming life until they died, each being eighty years of age. They were

the parents of five children: Margaret, who married a Mr. Maxwell; Sarah, wife

of James Sheep; Ellen; James M.; and Samuel, who inherited the homestead.



  James M. Lowry, the father of our subject, worked on the homestead until he

had laid by enough money to start in for himself. This he did by purchasing a

tract of land near Dewart, Turbot township, Pa., which is still owned by the

Lowry family. There our subject's father cleared the land and built a fine set

of buildings, which, remodeled for present requirements, will stand contrast

with more recent buildings very creditably, thus showing the substantial, honest

manner in which they were built, and also the trait of character in both father

and son, which caused all their work to be done thoroughly and well. James M.

Lowry was a practical and successful farmer and reaped the reward of his hard

work in plenty of well-tilled land and a comfortable bank account. Still, all of

his life was not passed in the peaceful pursuits of a farmer, for he served

honorably toward the close of the War of 1812 at Black Rock, near Buffalo, N.

Y., on the Niagara Frontier. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church

and served as trustee of same. He married Sarah Laird, daughter of Matthew Laird

of Union County, Pa. Their marriage was blessed with the following children:

Elizabeth, the widow of Samuel McKean; Andrew M.; Margaret, who married Joseph

G. Durham, both now deceased; Samuel, who married Nancy Nesbit, both now

deceased; Sarah, the wife of David McGuire, both now deceased; Matthew, who

married Catherine Ganger, both now deceased; Jane and Mary (twins), the former

of whom makes her home with our subject, and the latter of whom is dead; Mary

E., who also lives with her brother; and two infants, deceased.



  Although our subject has retired from active labors he still carries on the

work of the Master in many ways, being always ready to fill a vacancy or to do

anything in the line of his profession. Rev. Mr. Lowry is one of whom it may

truly be said, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." The publishers of

this volume take pleasure in announcing that a portrait of the subject of this

biographical notice appears on a preceding page.





Additional Comments:

Extracted from:



Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District

Published by 

Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899)











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