My Genealogy Hound

RICHARD N. LOWER, a very prominent citizen of Sedalia, is County Clerk of Pettis County. He was elected to this position on the Republican ticket in the fall of 1894, and assumed the duties of his office January 7, 1895, his term to run until January, 1899. He has two deputies, and transacts his business affairs in a very methodical and systematic manner. In political circles he is somewhat of a leader, and has served as a member of the Republican County Committee.

George Lower, father of the above gentleman, was born in Alsace, Germany, and by trade was a weaver. In the Fatherland the name was spelled Lauer, but after coming to America the county authorities gave George Lower the privilege of changing it to its present form. He was married in Alsace and there one of his children was born, but in 1834 he came to the United States. He settled in Jefferson County, Ky., where for five years he was engaged in merchandising, and then leased a farm, which he conducted successfully for a like period. March 20, 1854, with his family, he landed in this county, and, settling near what is now Long Wood, he purchased a farm of seven hundred acres, in time becoming the owner of twenty-two hundred and fifty acres in the same vicinity. He gave a good start to all of his children, and was honored and respected by all who knew him. His death occurred in 1889, at the age of seventy-eight years and two months. During the war he was very active on the side of the Union and was Captain of a company of Home Guards. In politics he was a Republican, and in his religious faith he was a Presbyterian. Though a man of much learning, being conversant with the German, French and English languages, he was obliged to begin his life in the United States at the bottom round of the ladder. On the voyage from his native land to New Orleans, he became a victim to smallpox, there being many cases of this disease on the vessel, and besides this he was robbed of all his little capital. Going to Louisville, where he landed without a cent in the world, he could find nothing to do for a time but to cut cordwood. He was much interested in educational matters, and held the local offices of Township Treasurer, Trustee, etc., from time to time. Several years ago he built a small seminary near his farm, known as the “Green Lawn Seminary,” but it has since been discontinued. By his first marriage he had a son and two daughters, Henry, Catherine and Nancy. His second marriage united him with Margaret Host, a native of Alsace, whose death occurred here in her forty-sixth year. By this union he had seven sons and one daughter, namely: George, Jacob, Charles, Louis, Richard, William, Jesse and Mary. His last marriage united him with Mary E. Deice, and by her he has one daughter, Louise. The children are all residents of this county, and are numbered among its best citizens.

R. N. Lower was born near Louisville, Ky., January 15, 1851, and was only three years of age when brought by his parents to this county. His boyhood was passed on the farm which he now owns, and here he was early taught business-like ways of conducting affairs. His education was obtained in the district schools, and he remained with his parents until he was twenty-seven years of age. Then, buying a farm in Huseman Township, he resided there for eight years, when he sold out and invested the proceeds in four hundred and forty-five acres in Long Wood Township. On this place he built a good residence and made numerous valuable improvements. It is especially adapted for raising stock, and is situated twelve miles north of Sedalia.

The first marriage of Mr. Lower took place in Cooper County, the lady of his choice being Maggie, daughter of Rev. Josiah Godbey, and a native of Cooper County. The father was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and four of his sons were also preachers in the same denomination. One of the number is the present editor of the Christian Advocate. Mrs. Lower died in Florida, whither she had gone in the hope of benefiting her health. Three of her four children survived her, namely: Mamie L. and Carrie C., who are attending Elizabeth Aull Seminary at Lexington, Mo., and Jessie H., at home. The present wife of our subject, whose maiden name was Anna McChesney, was a native of Odessa, Lafayette County, Mo. Her father, W. K. McChesney, who came from a respected old Virginia family, is now a retired merchant of Odessa.

Fraternally Mr. Lower is identified with the Woodmen of the World and with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In the old-school Presbyterian Church at Long Wood he holds the office of Deacon.