Lowry

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday – The Amigos

joelowry1982 1910s, Lowry, McSweeney, Paternal, Wordless Wednesday

Joe – Chas – Eddie – Ode [?]

These boys were prowling the mean streets of Salem, Ohio, around 1917 when this image was made. Three of them are known, Joe McSweeney, Chas Lowry, and his brother Eddie Lowry. The man on the right is unknown, with the inscription reading something similar to Ode. McSweeney was Chas and Eddie’s brother-in-law and their sister Anastasia’s husband.

Source:
Joe – Chas- Eddie – Ode [?], photograph, taken in Salem, Ohio, around 1917; digital image, photocopy of original, scanned in 2015 by Joseph Lowry; privately held by Mary Lowry, [address for private use], Canton, Ohio; Four men wearing 1910’s era clothing standing with their hands in their pockets; Provenance is Mary Pepperney Lowry to Charles Lowry to Mary Lowry.

G.I.’s at Billings Get Typing Course

joelowry1982 1940s, Lowry, Military, Newspapers

This newspaper clipping was among a collection of documents from my grandfather Chuck Lowry’s time in the Army. He is shown taking a typing class at Billings General Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. Billings was an Army hospital where he spent nearly a year recovering from wounds sustained near Brest, France in August 1944.

Although I had the clipping, I didn’t know the newspaper or date of publication. I popped over to Newspapers.com and searched “Cleo Frazier” to see if I could get a hit. I got about 1,500. I narrowed it down to 1945 and only had to scan about 50 before I located the article in the Indianapolis News from September 5, 1945. Even with the war now over, Pfc. Charles J. Lowry is still in the Army recovering. Not only that, but I learned what he was doing on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. during what I can imagine was a mundane routine at the hospital.

Of interest was Miss Cleo Frazier. Through the same search, I discovered she was a teacher at a local high school volunteering her time in the hospital. In 1937, she was in China when they were invaded by Japan. She left Shanghai three days before it was bombed, speaking of her experience before a meeting of the Business and Professional Womens Club in Indianapolis.

Sources:

“G.I.’s at Billings Get Typing Course,” The Indianapolis News, 5 September 1945, pg 12, col 1; digital images, (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 21 Aug 2023), Newspapers.com.

“Miss Frazier to Speak,” The Indianapolis News, 30 September 1945, pg 10, col 1; digital images, (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 21 Aug 2023), Newspapers.com.

“Manual Teacher Kept Busy,” newspaper clipping, unknown date and newspaper; personal collection of Joe Lowry, address for personal use.

Census Sunday: The 1950 U.S. Census has been released!

joelowry1982 1950s, Census Sunday, Lowry, Paternal

Federal law protects information collected in the United States Census for 72 years. How they came to that number is unknown, but it does mean that on April 1, 2022, the 1950 U.S. Census was released to the public. Each census occurs on a day, and the 1950 Census occurred on April 1, 1950. Even if the enumerator visited a house on April 4, the information collected was supposed to reflect April 1. If they visited on the 4th, and a newborn was born on April 2, they shouldn’t be included.

When the census was released on Archives.gov, they made available the individual sheets that were used to collect the data, also known as Form P1: 1950 Census of Population and Housing. It includes, among other things, a person’s address, name, age, race, sex, work status, occupation, and type of industry they worked. For many Baby Boomers born immediately after World War II, this is the first time they will appear in the census.

1950 U.S. Census for my uncle Chuck Lowry, my grandparents Chuck and Jean Lowry, and his parents, Charles and Mary Lowry (lines 22-26).

Enumeration District 100-16 in Ohio included the streets of Hanley, Zents, and Thornton, between Wick and Logan on Youngstown’s North Side. This district of just a few streets led to the creation of 21 pages of data by an enumerator who walked each street and spoke with a household member.

In 1950, my grandfather Chuck Lowry lived at 1437 Wick Ave with his wife Jean and their son, Charles. This was his first appearance in a census. Next door, at 1439 Wick, was Chuck’s parents, Charles E and Mary Lowry. They both lived next door to the McGoverns, at 1435, who would be lifelong friends. Interestingly, around the corner at 46 Hanley was the family of Clarence Lowry, but they are of no relation.

State: Ohio
County: Mahoning
Incorporated Place or Township: Youngstown
E.D. Number: 100-16
Date Sheet Started: April 1
Enumerators Signature: Howard Dilley
Checked By: R.E. Myelott on Apr 6, 1950
Sheet No. 3

Line 22
1427 Thornton
Dwelling 24
Not a farm and not on 3 or more acres

Lowry, Charles J, head, white, male, 25 years old, married, born in Ohio; works 40 hours a week as a special delivery messenger for the Post Office. Government employee.

” Mary J, wife, white, female, 25 years old, married, born in Ohio; keeping house, not working, not looking for work, does not have a job outside the home

” Charles J, son, white, male, Nov [born in Nov, meaning he was only 6 months old], never married, born in Ohio.

Line 25
1429 Thornton
Dwelling 25
Not a farm and not on 3 or more acres

Lowry, Charles E, head, white, male, 50 years old, married, born in Ohio; works as an analyst in the rolling steel mill. Private sector employee.

” Mary, wife, white, female, 47 years old, married, born in Pennsylvania; keeping house, not working, not looking for work, does not have a job outside the home

Source:

1950 U.S. Federal Census, Mahoning County, Youngstown, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 100-16, sheet 3, dwelling 24 and 25, households of Charles J. Lowry (24) and Charles E. Lowry (25); digital image, Archives.gov (https://1950census.archives.gov/ : accessed 1 Apr 2022).

Census Sunday – 1900 U.S. Census for Michael Lowry Jr. and Family

joelowry1982 1910s, Census Sunday, Lowry, Paternal
Michael_LowryJr_1910_USCensus_Ancestry
The 1910 Census record for Michael Lowry, Jr. and his family shows a family that was busy with school while the father worked in the coal mine. My great great grandfather Michael was 45 years old in 1910, working at least part time in the mine. He was out of work for 20 weeks in the preceeding year, but we don’t know is that was due to the unreliable work availability or perhaps a strike action that kept the men out of the mines. Mike’s wife, Annie, kept the home with six children. The oldest girls, Margaret and Anastasia, no doubt helped tend to the little ones. Otherwise, the family was busy with schoolwork. The five oldest were all in school, while the youngest, 4-year old Helen, was still at home.

State: Ohio
County: Columbiana
Township: Salem
Name of Incorporated Place: Leetonia
Ward of the City: North Precinct
Enumerated by me on the 16th of April
Thomas P. Samson, Enumerator

Supervisor’s District: 17
Enumeration District: 50
Sheet No. 3B

Dwelling No. 87
Family No. 84

Address: W. Main Street (no house number written)

Lowrey, Michael, head, male, white, 45 years old, 1st marriage, married 20 years. Born in Ohio. Father born in Ireland. Mother born in Ireland. Speaks English. Works as a coal miner. Is not out of work; out of work 20 weeks in 1909. Can read: Yes. Can write: Yes. Owns the home, but has a mortgage.

” Annie, wife, female, white, 40 years old, 1st marriage, married 20 years. 6 children born, 6 still living. Born in Germany. Father born in Germany. Mother born in Germany. Speaks English. Not employed. Can read: Yes. Can write: Yes.

” Margaret, daughter, female, white, 18 years old, single. Born in Ohio. Father born in Ohio. Mother born in Germany. Speaks English. Not employed. Can read: Yes. Can write: Yes. Attended school anytime since September 1, 1909: Yes.

” Anastatia, daughter, female, white, 16 years old, single. Born in Pennsylvania. Father born in Ohio. Mother born in Germany. Speaks English. Not employed. Can read: Yes. Can write: Yes. Attended school anytime since September 1, 1909: Yes.

” Edward, son, male, white, 13 years old. Born in Ohio. Father born in Ohio. Mother born in Germany. Speaks English. Not employed. Can read: Yes. Can write: Yes. Attended school anytime since September 1, 1909: Yes.

” Charles, son, male, white, 11 years old. Born in Ohio. Father born in Ohio. Mother born in Germany. Speaks English. Not employed. Can read: Yes. Can write: Yes. Attended school anytime since September 1, 1909: Yes.

” Raymond, son, male, white, 8 years old. Born in Ohio. Father born in Ohio. Mother born in Germany. Speaks English. Not employed. Can read: Yes. Can write: Yes. Attended school anytime since September 1, 1909: Yes.

” Helen, daughter, female, white, 4 years old. Born in Ohio. Father born in Ohio. Mother born in Germany. Speaks English. Not employed. Can read: No. Can write: No. Attended school anytime since September 1, 1909: No.

Source:
1910 U.S. Federal Census, Columbiana County, Salem, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 50 sheet 3B, dwelling 87, family 84, household of Michael Lowry; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Feb 2022), FHL microfilm 1375175, citing NARA publication  T624_1162.

Photo of the Day – February 13, 2022

joelowry1982 1960s, Lowry, Paternal, POTD
My grandpa Chuck Lowry (1924-2007) with his dear friends, Marion and Bob McDermott. Bob was a captain on the Youngstown Fire Department. Chuck was working for the Post Office. The Lowrys and McDermotts traveled quite a bit together. I have photos of several trips to Florida. I don’t know where this image was taken, but certainly has the feel of a historical site.

The Washingtonville Tavern

joelowry1982 Lowry, Paternal

lowry_marymccaffrey_pepperneycollection_snip

My Aunt Mary recently passed to my father a collection of family photos. While many were some I have seen before, this image was entirely new and entirely wonderful. On first glance, I didn’t recognize the setting or the vast majority of the men and boys, but two characters stood out. On the far left is my third great grandfather Michael Lowry and next to him stands my second great grandfather, also Michael Lowry in the white shirt and suspenders.

Upon showing the image to my dad and commenting how incredible it was, he stated that Michael (which one we don’t know) owned a tavern in Washingtonville, a small hamlet just a few blocks north of Leetonia in Columbiana County, Ohio.

I’ve searched a number of places to locate more information on this tavern, including studying Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, county directories, a history of Leisy Beer, and newspapers. Nothing about Michael Lowry indicated that he owned a tavern until I showed my dad the picture. I am unable to locate more but I know there’s a story here so I will keep digging!

Source:
The Washingtonville Tavern, photograph, taken in Washingtonville, Columbiana [or possibly Mahoning], Ohio, in early 1900s; digital image, scan of original, scanned in 2017 by Joseph Lowry; privately held by Patrick Lowry, [address for private use], Poland, Ohio; Five adult men and four young boys standing in front of tavern with Leisy Beer signs; Provenance is Michael Lowry to Charles Lowry to Mary McCaffrey to Patrick Lowry.

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 – May 15, 2016

joelowry1982 1960s, Lowry, Paternal, Pepperney, POTD

Lowry6_0020I wonder what the occasion was for my Uncle Chuck to be dressed in a tuxedo with a slim bow tie. Graduation? Prom? Standing in the lawn of 607 Mansell Drive, the family home with my great grandmother Margaret Pepperney Lowry. Assuming this was later in high school for Chuck, it puts this photo around 1966.

Source:
Charles Lowry and Margaret Mary Pepperney Lowry (1902-1980), photograph, taken at 607 Mansell Drive, Youngstown, Ohio, around 1966; digital image, photocopy of original, scanned in 2013 by Joseph Lowry; privately held by Mary McCaffrey, [address for private use], Canton, Ohio; Young man in tuxedo standing next to older woman in frock coat; Provenance is Mary Pepperney Lowry to Charles Lowry to Mary McCaffrey.

Edward Lowry, Lawman

joelowry1982 1900s, Lowry, Paternal
I’ve previously written about my great grand uncle Edward Lowry, wondering what happened to him after 1904 and what he did in the last few years of his life. In the 14 months since I wrote that piece, I’ve discovered quite a bit. At the turn of the 20th century, Edward was living in Republic, Ferry County, Washington. He went to Washington to seek work and perhaps a fortune as a miner, but by 1900, he was was the Democratic candidate for sheriff of Ferry County in what was the first election since the county separated from Stevens County. No doubt utilizing the same skills of politicking that he used as a labor organizer in Colorado, he won the 1900 election for sheriff by a count of 677 to 593, beating Republican A.E. Stewart.
Click to enlarge
Lowry took the role well, as various newspaper accounts from the early 1900’s depict him chasing after escaped inmates, seizing sheep due to a failure to pay taxes, rounding up murderers and investigating robberies, as was the case in October 1901 as reported by the Spokane Spokesman-Review. As it turns out, Republic resident and rancher Frank O’Brien’s wife was keen on leaving the family fortune in the hen house instead of the bank. While employee Michael Smith was cleaning out the chicken coop, he discovered the O’Brien fortune and pocketed it, setting off by hired carriage and then train. Sheriff Lowry took the complaint and directed that a wire report be sent before setting off in search his fugitive. That wire report made the difference as a train was stopped by Canadian lawmen in British Columbia with Smith aboard. With some of the gold still in his possession upon arrest, Smith was brought back to the Republic jail to face his accusers.

 
Just two and a half months later, Sheriff Lowry had the dubious distinction of losing several of his inmates who escaped by sawing through the wooden jail bars. The Spokesman-Review and San Francisco Call both depict the tale of how Lowry recaptured the fugitives. Not realizing they were gone for several hours after the escape, he was quick to pick up their trail. He located two in the town of Wauconda, 16 miles to the west, while two more were reported to be in Curlew 20 miles to the north. It was the two in Curlew who were up to no good, committing their second felony of the day (the first being their escape from jail). When Lowry entered the saloon in which the two men were reported to be, he found the barkeeper and patrons lined up along the rail being robbed!

 
The warm Washington summer of 1903 saw Lowry climbing Gibraltar Mountain, just a few miles outside Republic. Someone had discovered a grisly scene, with the bones of a man and cougar lying near one another. From the evidence at the scene, it appears to have been a terrible struggle that occurred over a year prior. The gun was quite rusted and the remains very much decayed. Lowry’s role as sheriff was to identify the victim. The San Jose, California Evening News found the story so terrific that they carried it on their July 31 front page.

 
Lowry’s final appearance as a man of law and order in readily available newspapers is February 24, 1904. Again, he was doing what he had done several times before in bringing back a fugitive, Everett Wilson. Wilson shot a man named Dan Bethune, although for what cause we aren’t certain. Of interest to the reader, Wilson was to await the result of Bethune’s wound in jail. Translating the parlance and with the medical knowledge of 1904, Bethune was probably a dead man walking.
 

Lastly, we also now know why records and newspaper mentioned of Edward become more difficult to locate after 1905. In early October 1905, Edward and his son Ralph set off from Republic to Phoenix, Arizona. At some point in his life, Edward contracted tuberculosis and believed that the dry desert air would be good for him. Unfortunately, he died on Monday, October 9, 1905 after just a single night in town. His obituary in the October 12, 1905 Arizona Republican reads:

Funeral of E. LAWRY [sic] – The funeral of E. Lawry will be held this afternoon at 4 o’clock at the undertaking parlors of Easterling & Whitney. Mr. Lawry came here last Sunday, very ill of consumption, and died Monday morning. His home was in Republic, Wash., where his wife and other relatives now are. A son sixteen years old accompanied him here. He was quite a prominent man in his county having served two years as sheriff. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles which society will have charge of his funeral.

Lowry was 49 years old when he died. He’s buried in Phoenix.

Sources:
An Illustrated History of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan Counties, State of Washington, Volume 1, (Washington, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1904), 446; digital images, Google Books (http://books.Google.com : accessed 30 Nov 2015).

“Cash Taken From Cache,” The Spokesman-Review, 10 Oct 1901, p. 1, col. 2; image copy. Google News (http://news.google.com/ : accessed 30 Nov 2015), Google News Archive.

“Sawed To Liberty,” The Spokesman-Review, 29 Dec 1901, p. 1, col. 6; image copy. Google News (http://news.google.com/ : accessed 30 Nov 2015), Google News Archive.

“Fugitive Prisoners Are Captured,” San Fransisco Call, 29 Dec 1901, p. 20, col. 5; image copy. University of California, Riverside (http://cdnc.ucr.edu/ : accessed 30 Nov 2015), California Digital Newspaper Collection.

“Bones Of Man And Beast Are Found On Mountain,” The (San Jose) Evening News, 31 Jul 1903, p. 1, col. 1-2; image copy. Google News (http://news.google.com/ : accessed 30 Nov 2015), Google News Archive. [Note: The image is indexed for 30 Jul 1903, but the article appeared in the 31 Jul 1903 newspaper.]

“Late News From Republic,” The Spokesman-Review, 24 Feb 1904, p. 4, col. 4; image copy. Google News (http://news.google.com/ : accessed 30 Nov 2015), Google News Archive. [Note: The image is indexed for 21 Feb 1904, but the article appeared in the 24 Feb 1904 newspaper.]

“Funeral for E. Lawry,” The Arizona Republican, 12 Oct 1905, p. 5, col. 3; image copy. Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 30 Nov 2015).