Lowry

Military Monday – Coming Home on Leave

joelowry1982 Lowry, Paternal
In June 1945, the war in Europe that Private Charles J. Lowry fought had been over for a month. From his hospital bed at Fort Benjamin Harrison outside Indianapolis, Indiana, my grandfather no doubt read the news article about the battle around Berlin, the death of Hitler and the surrender of the German Army. It was that Army that put him in the hospital in the first place. While fighting around Brest, France, he was injured by a German grenade, perhaps a potato masher.
This letter was sent to my great grandmother by the Army Service Forces at Billings General Hospital indicating that her son was coming home on a 35 day leave starting 4 June 1945. Due to the efficiencies of the Army, that was the date the form letter was drafted.

Click to enlarge

Source:
“Letter from Captain Henry J. Wears to Mrs. Margaret Lowry.” 1945 June 4. From the collection of Joseph P. Lowry. Scan of the original.

Military Monday – A Letter from the War Department

joelowry1982 Lowry, Paternal
Click to enlarge
Transcribed:
24 November 1944
Mrs. Margaret Lowry
1343 Bryson Street
Youngstown, Ohio.

Dear Mrs. Lowry:

I am pleased to inform you that the latest report from the theater of operations states that on 9 November your son, Private Charles J. Lowry Jr., was convalescing.

You have my assurance that when additional information is received concerning his condition, you will be notified immediately.

Sincerely yours,

J.A. Ulio
Major General,
The Adjutant general.

1 inc.
————————————————
No doubt written in response to a letter from my worried great grandmother, the Adjutant General of the War Department wrote to Margaret Lowry on 24 November 1944 to inform her that my grandfather Charles was convalescing in the theater of operations. This is of course due to the injury he sustained on 28 August during the Battle of Brest, France. By this time, if still in the theater of operations, he was in a hospital in England where more advanced care could be provided.
The letter is quite brief and I do have to wonder who actually signed it. As Adjutant General of the Army, Major General James A. Ulio’s name appeared on every letter providing the status of a soldier. My guess is there were dozens of auto-pens turning out signatures.
The enclosure was included, detailing how to send the soldier a letter, but it was not filled out.

Click to enlarge

Source:
“Letter from Adjutant-General J.A. Ulio to Mrs. Margaret Lowry.” 1944 November 24. From the collection of Joseph P. Lowry. Scan of the original.

Tombstone Tuesday – Sarah Lowry, Part 2

joelowry1982 Lowry, Paternal
I previously wrote about the tombstone of my 2nd great grand aunt Sarah Lowry in April 2013. Since then I’ve received a few more photos courtesy of my new friend Linda in Washington State. Sarah is buried in Republic Cemetery, Ferry County, Washington. Take a look at the first photo for a breathtaking view of Eastern Washington. I wouldn’t mind that eternal view!
How’s that for a view?
The back of her stone.

The front of her stone

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday – St. Vincent DePaul Society Donations

joelowry1982 Lowry, Paternal, Wordless Wednesday
My grandfather Chuck Lowry (below the arrow) and his friend Ed Conricote accept food and cash donations on behalf of the Saint Vincent DePaul Society at Saint Edward Church, in which both were active. Also pictured is Kathleen Manning, the grandmother of a good friend of mine and a representative of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers. This picture appeared in a newspaper 30 years ago next week, January 13, 1984, but unfortunately I don’t know which. It is not The Vindicator, but could be the Catholic Exponent

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday – "You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out"

joelowry1982 Lowry, Paternal, Wordless Wednesday

Cowboy Chuck Lowry (the only cowboy in the West armed with a Thompson submachine gun) models the latest Christmas gift in front of the tree at the Lowry homestead. Perhaps Ralphie from “A Christmas Story” was created from this photo.

It’s wonderful to see the small houses around the tree in this photo. Those were under the my grandfather’s Christmas tree until he passed away in 2007. I believe they are with one of my aunts now.

Click to enlarge. Family Collection.

Census Sunday – 1930 U.S. Census for Charles E. Lowry and Family

joelowry1982 Census Sunday, Lowry, Paternal
We continue to trace back the family of Charles Edward Lowry. We started in 1940 and today we look at 1930. In 1940, the Lowry’s lived at 207 N Thornton and paid $31 per month in rent. Ten years earlier, they lived down the block and were paying $35 per month. I’m not certain when they moved. Early family photos I have show the house at 207 Thornton, not 106, which has since been torn down.

Relationship to Me:
Charles Edward Lowry (1899 – 1975)
father of:
Charles James Lowry (1924 – 2007)
father of:
Patrick Edward Lowry
father of:
Joseph Patrick Lowry

State: Ohio
County: Mahoning
City: Youngstown

Ward: 1
Block: 44
Sheet: 14A
Enumeration District: 50-3
Enumerated by: Mrs. G(H?)omer James, Enumerator
Address: 106 N Thornton Avenue (map)

Line 47 – 49
Household 250
Rented or Owned: Rented
Monthly Rent: $35
Does this household live on a farm? No

Lowry, Charles E, head, male, white, 30 years old, married. Age first married: 22. Has not attended school or college since Sept 1, 1929. Is able to read and write. Born in Ohio. Father born in United States. Mother born in Germany. Is a citizen. Occupied as a chemist in a steel mill. Actually at work yesterday: Yes. Is a veteran of the U.S. military or naval forces: No.

” M. Margaret, wife (H.), female, white, age 27, married. Age first married: 19. Has not attended school  or college since Sept 1, 1929. Is able to read and write. Born in Pennsylvania. Father born in Pennsylvania. Mother born in Pennsylvania. Is a citizen. Is not employed.
” , Charles J., son, male, white, age 5, single. Has attended school or college anytime since Sept 1, 1929. Born in Ohio. Father born in Ohio. Mother born in Pennsylvania.
Note:
(H.) is written on the census form and appears to indicate who answered the enumerator’s questions.

Source:
1930 U.S. Federal Census, Mahoning County, Youngstown, population schedule, Enumeration District 50-3, Sheet 14A, Dwelling 250,. Charles E Lowry; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 December 2013), citing Image: 669.0; FHL microfilm: 2341576. National Archives microfilm publication Roll T626.

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday – Four Generations (Part 3)

joelowry1982 Four Generations, Lowry, Paternal, Pepperney, Wordless Wednesday

I’ve featured a number of photos on the blog that include four generations of relatives. This photo was taken between 1949 and 1962. I can’t be more precise right now because I’m not certain who the baby is, although I imagine this is in the later years of that range based on the suspected age of the individuals in the photo. In addition to an unknown aunt or uncle, the photo includes my grandfather Chuck Lowry, great great grandfather George Pepperney, and great grandmother Margaret Pepperney Lowry. I will need to check the original and see if there is any information written on the back.

Click to enlarge. Family photo.

Census Sunday – 1940 U.S. Census for Michael Lowry and Family

joelowry1982 Census Sunday, Lowry, Paternal
Not often thought of today, my 2nd great grandfather Michael Lowry was still alive in 1940. In fact, he lived to see his grandson Charles graduate from Ursuline High School, depart for France with the Army and be wounded in the fight for Brest, France. He died in Mayhew Nursing Home in Perry Township, Columbiana County, Ohio in 1949. In 1940, Michael was 71 years old living with his wife Annie in Salem, Ohio.
Relationship to Me:
Michael Lowry (1868 – 1949)
father of:
Charles Edward Lowry (1899 – 1975)
father of:
Charles James Lowry (1924 – 2007)
father of:
Patrick Edward Lowry
father of:
Joseph Patrick Lowry

State: Ohio
County: Columbiana
City: Salem
Township: Perry

Ward: 1
Sheet: 11A
Enumeration District: 15-40
Enumerated by: Joseph Corso, Enumerator
Address:  440 West State Street (map)

Line 34 – 35
Household 249
Rented or Owned: Owned
Value of Home: $3000

Lowry, Michael, head, male, white, 70 years old, married. Has not attended school or college since Mar 1, 1940. Completed education through 8th grade. Born in Pennsylvania. Lived in the same house on April 1, 1935. Does not live on a farm. Was not at work for pay the week of Mar 24 – 30, 1940. Was not performing emergency work (CCA, WPA, etc) the week of Mar 24 – 30, 1940. Is not seeking work. Did not have a job or business. Is unable to work. Occupation is a coal miner in a coal mine. Number of weeks worked in 1939: 0. Income received: 0. Receives income greater than $50 or more from sources other than money wages or salary.

” Annie (X.) wife, female, white, 70 years old, married. Has not attended school or college since Mar 1, 1940. Completed education through 6th grade. Born in Germany. Lived in the same house on April 1, 1935. Does not live on a farm. Was not at work for pay the week of Mar 24 – 30, 1940. Was not performing emergency work (CCA, WPA, etc) the week of Mar 24 – 30, 1940. Is not seeking work. Did not have a job or business. Is engaged in home housework. Number of weeks worked in 1939: 0. Income received: 0. Receives income greater than $50 or more from sources other than money wages or salary.
Note:
  • It is interesting that the enumerator listed the occupation of coal miner for Mike. The instructions say to only list occupation for those who work, and Mike does not work in 1940.
  • Michael and Annie have income other than a salary coming in, so perhaps Michael earned a pension for his work as a coal miner.
  • The X. next to Annie is written on the census form and indicates that she answered the enumerator’s questions.

Source:
1940 U.S. Federal Census, Columbiana County, Salem, population schedule, Enumeration District 15-40, Sheet 11A, Dwelling 249,. Michael Lowry; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 December 2013), citing National Archives microfilm publication Roll T627_3267.

Treasure Chest Thursday – Obituary of Bridget Conley Lowry

joelowry1982 Conley, Lowry, Obituary, Paternal, Treasure Chest Thursday
(Sometimes I write the posts about the same thing, just a few months apart. In this case, I re-found the obituary of my 3rd great grandmother and wrote a new blog post. It’s a little different from the first time I wrote about it here.)

Mrs. Michael Lowrey (sic), aged about 70 years…

The challenge with anyone who was born and died before 1910 is that record keeping is spotty and in many cases, individuals aren’t even sure what year they were born. I am getting that impression of my 3rd great grandmother, Bridget Conley Lowry. Bridget was born in Ireland *around* 1830. Some sources I have indicate around 1825, others 1835. Her 1904 obituary would indicate that an 1835 date is more appropriate.
Her obituary is helpful in answering or confirming many of the questions I’ve had about the Lowry family, but like everything in genealogy, raises a few more! When I first received this obit from the Salem Public Library, I was missing the married names of several of her daughters. Insert ‘Conners’ and ‘Lanaghan’ as those married names!
It also is great to see mentioned ‘Ed. Lowrey, of near Spokane, Wash.’ Great grand uncle Edward Lowry is one of my Lowry mysteries and I’ve been attempting to figure out when he died. I already knew it was sometime after 1910, so this isn’t particularly useful, but having Spokane as a research location is helpful.
There are some great research hints in the names of the out-of-town guests at Bridget’s funeral. I’m not sure who Thomas and Miss Mary Byrne are, but James and Charles Conners are related to the husband of Anne Lowry Conners. Michael Lanaghan is probably related to the husband of Mrs. Edward Lanaghan, Margaret Lowry Lanaghan. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Lotman (sic, should be Lottman) are the in-laws of Bridget’s son, Michael Lowry Jr.
The one name in the out-of-town guests I genuinely want to know more about is Daniel Conley of Stoneboro, Pennsylvania. Is this Bridget’s brother or cousin or just a family friend with a common name? Knowing if this is a relative, especially a more easily tracked male relative, may lead me to more easily track Bridget’s parents, who are unknown at the present. The search for more answers continues.
One little obituary, so much information…

Source:
Bridget Lowry obituary, Leetonia Reporter, Leetonia, Ohio, May 13, 1904, page 1, volume 33, number 20.