1940s

Ralph Lowry: A Fisher(y) of Men

joelowry1982 1940s, Lowry, Paternal

In my quest to document the life of Ralph Lowry, my first cousin, 3x removed and the U.S. Government’s chief engineer on many Western dam projects, I found this newspaper article posted above.

In part, it reads that in 1949, a plaque was placed at the Coleman National Fish Hatchery to recognize Ralph’s part in the creation of the fishery. Located about 35 miles from the Shasta Dam project that Ralph also built, the hatchery was created because the dam impacted the ability of the salmon to reach their natural spawning grounds.

Thanks to the power of the internet, I emailed Brett Galyean, the Acting Project Leader who runs the hatchery, to inquire about the plaque. He provided these two photos, showing the plaque next to the flag pole in front of the match hatchery building and a close-up.

My thanks to Brett for the extra effort. Another piece of Lowry history found!

Sources:
“Plaque Honors S.M. Engineer,” The [San Mateo, CA] Times, 22 Dec 1949, pg 7, col 1; digital image, (http://www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 Aug 2016), Newspapers.com

Brett Galyean, Coleman National Fish Hatchery, Anderson, California, [e-mail for private use], to Joseph Lowry, 16 Aug 2016, “Plaque at Coleman Hatchery,” Local Folders: Genealogy : Lowry Genealogy; privately held by Joe Lowry, [e-mail &address for private use], Sterling, VA, 20165.

Photo of the Day – September 12, 2015

joelowry1982 1940s, Maternal, POTD, Witt
It’s been some time since I posted to the blog. The summer was pretty hectic, with little to no vacation, new responsibilities as the webmaster of the Fairfax Genealogical Society, and working with Eileen to get our townhouse on the market. In that space though, I was gifted a few dozen Witt family photos from Mary Catherine Sanders. She is my grandfather Howard Witt’s first cousin but has affectionately been called ‘Aunt’ Mary Catherine by my parents, aunts/uncles and cousins. Mary Catherine and her son Matt (aka the Mad Vintner) have long been interested in genealogy and have been great resources on my Witt ancestors. I consider myself fortunate to receive these photos of my grandfather’s family and will be working hard to get them on the blog in the coming weeks. I will start with this first image of my grandfather’s family in late 1941 or early 1942, perhaps taken on the occasion of my great uncle Francis finishing flight training in anticipation of being deployed to Europe.

This formal portrait starts in the front row with my great grandfather Francis (1899 – 1992), my great aunt Helen K. (1934 – 2009), and my great grandmother Helen M. Bixler (1898 – 1985). The back row includes my great uncles Fred (1924 – 2009), Governor (1919 – 2004), William (1922 – 2011), Francis Jr. (1920 – 2002), and my grandfather Howard (1929 – 2001).

Source:
Francis J. Witt (1899 – 1992) and family, photograph, taken in Youngstown, Ohio in late 1941 or ealy 1942; image taken by unknown photographer; privately held by Joseph Lowry, [address for private use], Sterling, VA. Provenance is Mary Catherine Witt Sanders to Joseph Lowry.

Photo of the Day – May 26, 2015

joelowry1982 1940s, Maternal, POTD
Here’s a photo of my grandmother Barbara Wolford and her sister Betty from 1941. The twins were about 10 years old when this photo was taken. This was around the time they were living with their parents in Denver, Colorado. I will need to ask my grandmother where specifically this photo was taken.

Source:
Barbara Jean Wolford and Betty Jean Wolford, photograph, taken in unknown location (possibly Denver) in 1941; digital image, photocopy of original, scanned by Joseph Lowry; privately held by Rebecca Lowry, [address for private use], Poland, Ohio. Two young girls standing in front of a bird bath with trees in background. Provenance is Rebecca Lowry to Joseph Lowry.

Photo of the Day – March 23, 2015

joelowry1982 1940s, Groucutt, Lowry, Pepperney, POTD
I can’t put a specific date or location on this photo, but my grandmother Jean Groucutt Lowry and her mother-in-law Margaret Pepperney Lowry look to be on a road trip. They probably stopped for gas or a quick bite to eat and one of their husbands asked for a quick photo. Neither looks particularly happy to be posing for the camera.
Source:
Mary Margaret Pepperney Lowry (1902-1980) and Jean Groucutt Lowry (1924-1986), photograph, taken at unknown location, in late 1940s; digital image, photocopy of original, scanned in 2013 by Joseph Lowry; privately held by Mary McCaffrey, [address for private use], Canton, Ohio. Two women standing in front of a restaurant. Provenance is Charles Lowry to Mary McCaffrey.

Photo of the Day – February 6, 2015

joelowry1982 1940s, Paternal, Pepperney, POTD
The Pepperney family in the summer of 1942. In the photo are my great grand uncle James Albert Pepperney, Sr., his wife Catherine Butsko Pepperney, and their children, Catherine and James Jr. The youngest was born in January 1942, so this photo was no doubt taken sometime that summer.
Source:
James Albert Pepperney, Sr. (1906-1999), Catherine Butsko Pepperney (1910-1975), Catherine Pepperney and James Albert Pepperney, Jr., photograph, taken at unknown location in 1942; digital image, photocopy of original, scanned in 2013 by Joseph Lowry; privately held by Mary McCaffrey, [address for private use], Canton, Ohio. Family of four, including father, mother, boy and girl in light summer clothing standing on grass. Provenance is Mary Pepperney Lowry to Charles Lowry to Mary McCaffrey.

Photo of the Day – February 5, 2015

joelowry1982 1940s, Lowry, Paternal, Pepperney, POTD

Instead of taking a picture of my great grandmother Margaret Pepperney Lowry shovel the snow, perhaps the photographer could have helped her? It was probably either my grandfather Chuck Lowry or great grandfather Charles Lowry who took this image on a wintery day in the 1940s. Fortunately, there’s only an inch or two on the ground so it didn’t take much time to shovel.

Source:
Mary Margaret Pepperney Lowry (1902-1980), photograph, taken at either Thornton Avenue or 50 Bissell Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio in mid-1940s; digital image, photocopy of original, scanned in 2013 by Joseph Lowry; privately held by Mary McCaffrey, [address for private use], Canton, Ohio. Woman in overcoat shoveling snow from a walkway. Provenance is Mary Pepperney Lowry to Charles Lowry to Mary McCaffrey.

Photo of the Day – February 1, 2015

joelowry1982 1940s, Lowry, Paternal, POTD
Wearing what appears to be a tan rain coat or over coat, my grandfather Chuck Lowry looks to be quite happy in this photo. Based on similar photos in this series, this was taken when he was still in high school, around 1941.

Source:
Charles James Lowry (1924-2007), photograph, taken at unknown location in early 1940s; digital image, photocopy of original, scanned in 2013 by Joseph Lowry; privately held by Mary McCaffrey, [address for private use], Canton, Ohio. Young man wearing overcoat sitting on steps. Provenance is Mary Pepperney Lowry to Charles Lowry to Mary McCaffrey.

Photo of the Day – January 22, 2015

joelowry1982 1940s, Lowry, Paternal, Pepperney, POTD

My grandfather Chuck Lowry was home on leave from the Army in mid-June 1944. After being drafted, he completed basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida and was given approximately two weeks off before he was to report to Fort Meade, Maryland. While on leave, I believe he traveled from Youngstown to Leetonia, Ohio to visit with his grandfather and aunts Eleanor and Katherine Pepperney. I believe this photo was taken in their backyard. He reported to Fort Meade on June 30, 1944.

Source:
Eleanor Pepperney (1912-1951), Charles Lowry (1924-2007), and Katherine Pepperney (1910-1978), photograph, taken at unknown location, possibly Leetonia, Ohio, in 1944; digital image, photocopy of original, scanned in 2013 by Joseph Lowry; privately held by Mary McCaffrey, [address for private use], Canton, Ohio. One man in service uniform and two woman standing in backyard. Provenance is Mary Pepperney Lowry to Charles Lowry to Mary McCaffrey.

Photo of the Day – January 20, 2015

joelowry1982 1940s, Lowry, Paternal, Pepperney, POTD
Someone took a quick snap of my great grandmother Margaret Pepperney Lowry as she was standing on the sidewalk. I believe this was taken in the mid-1940s. I’ll need to check with my dad where he thinks this may have been taken. I would also love to know more about the car. If you can identify the make and model, please leave a comment!

Source:
Mary Pepperney Lowry (1902-1980), photograph, taken at unknown location in mid-1940s; digital image, photocopy of original, scanned in 2013 by Joseph Lowry; privately held by Mary McCaffrey, [address for private use], Canton, Ohio. Family of three standing in the backyard. Provenance is Mary Pepperney Lowry to Charles Lowry to Mary McCaffrey.

Photo of the Day – January 15, 2015

joelowry1982 1940s, Groucutt, Paternal, POTD
This is my grandmother Jean Groucutt Lowry around 1940.
This is post number 200 to my blog. Thanks for reading!

Source:
Jean Groucutt Lowry (1924-1987), photograph, taken at unknown location, in about 1940; digital image, photocopy of original, scanned in 2013 by Joseph Lowry; privately held by Mary McCaffrey, [address for private use], Canton, Ohio. Portrait of woman in white shirt with wide collar. Provenance is Charles Lowry to Mary McCaffrey.