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Below is a family biography included in History of Lee County, Iowa published by Western Historical Company in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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LOWERY, D., physician and surgeon, office and residence Jefferson St.; was born in Berlin, Somerset Co., Penn., Aug. 23, 1806; attended the common schools and eighteen at college; at the age of 18, commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Cooper, of Johnstown, Penn.; remained two years, thence to Philadelphia, entered the Medical College, and graduated after a three-years’ course; commenced practice at Salisbury, Penn. There in 1828, he married Miss Susan Mattingly, who was born in Alleghany Co., Md., in 1804, daughter of Samuel M., a farmer; she died in 1833, leaving four children – William T., Ellen M., Martha A. and Samuel. He remained in Salisbury two years; in 1835 removed to Lathropolis, Ohio, and practiced for three years; thence to Chillicothe, Ohio. During the first year of his residence there, he married Esther Teagarden, daughter of Jacob T., a farmer of Pickaway Co., Ohio; she was born in 1816. He remained there until 1839, thence to Mercer Co., Ohio, where he had a large practice until his health failed, then returned to Pickaway Co., to recruit, and, in 1845, came to Lee Co., West Point, among the early settlers of this part of the county; in 1851, he wife died of the cholera, leaving five children – Clement G., a Catholic priest at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Sarah, Perpetua O., Esther S. and Daniel J. He then married Miss Mary Simmons, who was born in Athens Co., Ohio, in 1823; daughter of Joseph S., a farmer of that county, who took his third wife when 101 years of age; they have six children – Mary A., Lydia Alice, Joseph H., John M., Clara J. and Charles Edward. After coming to Lee Co., his practice steadily increased; at one time, for six weeks he did not enter a bed, but slept either in his saddle or carriage, and at another time, for three weeks; but for the last twelve years he has rather laid his practice aside, and has devoted a part of his time and attention to the growing of grapes; has a fine vineyard. His first wife was a Catholic, and had a supply of books treating upon that subject; he began an investigation, and, in 1835, joined that Church; his second wife joined that Church in 1840, and his third wife in 1858; all his children who have attained a suitable age are members of the same church. Democratic in politics.

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This family biography is one of 668 biographies included in The History of Lee County, Iowa published in 1879.  For the complete description, click here: Lee County, Iowa History and Genealogy

View additional Lee County, Iowa family biographies: Lee County, Iowa Biographies

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