My Genealogy Hound

JOHN J. LOWRY. The name at the head of this sketch is that of a practical and successful stock-raiser of Cedar Township, Pettis County. Since 1884, however, he has added fruit-raising to his other interests, having fifty of his one hundred and thirty-eight acres in an orchard, besides cultivating all of the smaller fruits. Like many of the best residents of this section, our subject is a Kentuckian, and was born in Boone County, April 10, 1840. There his father, William Lowry, lived for many years, although his birth occurred in Virginia. Upon emigrating to Kentucky, his grandfather, Joseph Lowry, located in the southern portion of the state and there lived for several years, when he changed his place of residence to Louisville. He was identified with the interests of that city but a short time, however, when, in 1854, he came to Missouri, settling with his family in the northern part of Pettis County, where he died five years later, advanced in years. He was an agriculturist during the active years of his life, but never was so immersed in his own affairs that he could not find time to push forward all enterprises of a beneficial
character in his community.

William Lowry was reared in Kentucky, and was married in Boone County to Miss Elizabeth H. Hardin, whose birth occurred in what is now the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, although at the time of her advent into the world it bore little resemblance to its present condition. The parents lived for a time in Boone County, but later, removing to Louisville, made that city their home until 1854, when they, too, came to Missouri. They chose a farm near the home of Joseph Lowry in Pettis County, where they lived happily together until 1883, when, in May of that year, the husband and father was called to his long home. Mrs. Elizabeth Lowry is still living, although quite advanced in years.

Our subject was the eldest of a family of ten children, and since coming to this county in 1854 has made this section his home, with the exception of eight years spent in mining and in mercantile pursuits in the far West. For many years he made a specialty of stock-raising, but, as stated above, since 1884 has devoted much time to the cultivation of fruits of every variety. His tract of land is one hundred and thirty-eight acres in extent, and is admirably situated for the purpose for which it is used.

December 9, 1874, Mr. Lowry was united in marriage with Eveline E. Major, and they became the parents of a daughter, Maude E. The wife and mother died December 15, 1891. The second marriage of Mr. Lowry occurred January 15, 1895, at which time he was united with Miss Ollie P. Barrick, a native of this county and a well educated and most estimable lady. She is a daughter of Noah T. and Mattie J. (Carter) Barrick, natives of Maryland and Kentucky, respectively.

During the late war Mr. Lowry served about nine months in the Union army. He is a self-made man, as his school advantages were very limited. Appreciating, however, the value of an education, he has at all times been greatly interested in educational matters, and for eleven years served as a member of the School Board. For several years he was a Road Overseer, and as an influential Democrat he takes an active part in local politics. In 1855 he identified himself with the Christian Church, with which he has since been connected, and has held many official positions in that body. He is a very pleasant gentleman, and the community finds in him a valued citizen, who well deserves representation in this volume.