My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT M. LOWRY. The Ohio Valley has long been known as a region in which fine farms abound, and Clark County is not without her share of those fertile and well-developed lands. One of the most beautiful and productive within her borders is located on sections 8 and 9, of Bethel Township, and comprises three hundred and twenty-four broad acres. The entire acreage is under good improvement, the house, barn, and other buildings being above the average, the fences well kept, and fruit and shade trees abundant. It is owned and occupied by the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch, and who represents one of the pioneer families of the county. His life has been devoted to the pursuit of agriculture, and he has given some attention to the raising of blooded Norman horses.

Mr. Lowry was born where he now resides, near Donnelsville, October 1, 1815. His father, David Lowry, was born in the Keystone State, September 17, 1767, and after growing to manhood, about the year 1795 he started westward, coming down the Ohio River on a raft to Cincinnati, whence he made his way to what is now Clark County, Ohio. Arriving here in the spring of 1795, he bought the land that is now known as the Michael Minnich farm, soon afterward returning to Pennsylvania for his parents, who spent their last years here and were buried in the cemetery on the farm he purchased, and known as the Minnich Cemetery. Subsequently David Lowry sold his first purchase and bought a section of land near by, now known as the Lamme farm. This he afterward sold, buying land where our subject now resides, and on it spending the rest of his days, passing away September 9, 1859.

The first house built by David Lowry was a log cabin, in which he lived many years; that in which our subject now resides was erected in 1826, settlement on this farm having been made by Mr. Lowry about the beginning of the present century. When he came to this State he was a poor man, having but $1.50 when he arrived at Cincinnati, but being hard-working and enterprising, he became quite comfortably situated ere many years. He built and ran the first grist and saw mills in this county, which he managed successfully for many years; he also established the first paper mill in the county, and the first straw paper mill in the State of Ohio. The later years of his life were spent in farming and the culture of small fruits. His spirit was a generous one and he was deeply interested in all movements looking toward the public weal, supporting them by his personal influence and by his substance. For almost a life-time he belonged to the Christian Church, in the work of which he took an active part. Politically, he was a sturdy Whig and he held some of the minor offices.

David Lowry was twice married, his first wife being Miss Sarah Hamer, of this county, who bore him four children — Mary, Nancy, Elizabeth and Susan. All are deceased except the latter, who is now eighty-four years of age. The mother of our subject opened her eyes to the light in Botetourt County, Va., September 26, 1778, and closed them in death August 15, 1867. She had been a true helpmate to her companion and a devoted mother to the four children whom she had borne. The names of her offspring are: Martha, David W., Robert M. and Sarah R., all now living, except the second child, their homes being in this county.

The gentleman with whose name this sketch is introduced was reared on his father’s farm, and as he was but a boy when the house in which he now lives was erected, he feels that his whole life has been spent therein. In the division of the property which followed the death of his parents, the old home, located on section 9, fell to him, and to it he has added adjoining land, making of the whole one of the best farms in the county. The most casual glance over its broad expanse would convince the observer that the owner is a master of his business and that he not only understands the cultivation of the soil, but that he is likewise a man of good taste and thrift, as every part of the estate is neat and orderly.

The choice of a companion is an important one. That of our subject fell on Miss Elizabeth Bancroft, of Benton, Ind., and a native of Canada, and his regard being reciprocated, they were united in marriage October 15, 1844. For more than forty years Mrs. Lowry assisted her husband by her counsels and prudent management of household affairs, and cheered his home by her graceful, womanly presence. She was born October 4, 1820, in what was then known as Upper Canada, and died at her home in this county, November 11, 1887, at the age of sixty-seven years. She was the mother of five children — Selina E., John A., Martha J., David O. and James O., all being deceased, except the latter. They all died in infancy except Martha J., who died in her sixteenth year. David Lowry was rated as being the greatest hunter in this section of the country, and was credited with having killed more bears and deer than any man in this part of the State.