GEORGE R. LOWN, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.
Mercantile life attracted George R. Lown immediately after he left school, and for a year he worked as a clerk in a shoe store in Susquehanna. He was born in Deposit, New York, March 10, 1865, and while he was yet a boy his father moved to Susquehanna, where he was employed as assistant in the supply department of the Erie roundhouse at that place. His father being a railroad man probably influenced the young man to leave his place in the shoe store and accept a position as engine wiper for the Erie. After three years he was transferred to the roundhouse, where he worked as engine repairer and in various other capacities until the fall of 1886, when he was advanced to fireman. Four years' service on the Susquehanna Division prepared him for promotion, and on February 1, 1890, he was given an engine and assigned to the freight department between Susquehanna and Hornellsville. He is a member of Starrucca Lodge No. 137, B. of L. E., and holds the esteem of his brother engineers, at the same time having the entire confidence of his superiors.

On October 27, 1891, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Gardner, daughter of William Gardner, a teamster of Susquehanna. They have had four children, one of whom, Raymond, died in his infancy. The others are Reed, Lulu and William, the baby, who is 11 months old. Mrs. Lown is a prominent member of the Ladies' Auxiliary to the B. of L. E. They live in Mr. Lown's pretty cottage in Susquehanna, and enjoy the respect and friendship of a large circle of friends.


Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.