HORTENSIUS LOWRY.Hortensius Lowry was horn in the township of Rostraver, Westmoreland Co., Pa., Oct. 22, 1818. Stephen Lowry, his grandfather, when thirty years of age, emigrated from near Dublin, Ireland, and settled in Rostraver in 1774. He purchased about two hundred acres of land of Adam Wickerham, which he cleared and upon which he erected the first log house, where for a time he kept "bachelors' hall." He married Anne Pollock, a native of Maryland. Two children were born to this worthy couple,-a daughter, who died at the age of five years, and a son, Stephen Lowry, Jr., father of Hortensius.
For many years the grandfather, Stephen Lowry, took the products of his farm in flat-boats to the New Orleans market, a custom not uncommon in those days among farmers residing near the river. His wife died' Aug. 23, 1822. He survived her six years; died, aged eighty-four, in September, 1828. Both are buried at Rehoboth Church cemetery. His son, Stephen Lowry, Jr., born on the homestead
in 1791, was educated in the common schools of the neighborhood, studied medicine with Dr. Joseph Pollock, of Monongahela City, and practiced his profession in his native town until his death. He married, Feb. 7, 1815, Anne, daughter of David and Anne (Rholand) Pollock. Mrs. Lowry was born in the year 1793. Her parents moved from Maryland some time towards the latter part of the
last century, and settled in McKean township, Erie Co., Pa., and both died there. Mr. Lowry served as a soldier in the war of 1812, under Gen. Joseph Markle. He died of consumption, brought on by exposure in a horseback ride to Erie County, Pa. His death occurred Oct. 3, 1820, at the homestead. He left two children,-a daughter and son, Herpalice, born Sept. 17, 1816, wife of Thomas Isherwood, living near Mount Vernon, Linn Co., Iowa; they have four sons and one daughter and Hortensius. Mrs. Lowry was again married in November, 1832, to Randle Johnson, a farmer of Rostraver. By him she had one child, Caroline Matilda, born July 24, 1834, wife of A. B. Moore, a farmer of Rostraver, and a descendant of one of its oldest families. They have five daughters living. Mrs. Johnson died Dec. 25, 1847, and is buried at Fell's Church. Her first husband,
Mr. Lowry, is buried at Rehoboth Church.Hortensius Lowry was born in the old brick house, the first built on the place, where his present residence stands, and has spent his whole life on the farm which' came into his possession in 1839 by will from his grandfather and subsequent purchase of his sister's interest. His mother, after her marriage to Mr. Johnson, lived at the old place for six years, to 1839, then moved on to a farm about one mile east of the homestead.
From 1839 to 1850 his sister kept house for him. Upon her removal West, in 1850, he leased the farm to Robert Douglas, who carried it on to the time of his death, which occurred Jan. 1, 1862.
Mr. Lowry married his widow, Mrs. Harriet F. Douglas. She was the daughter of David and Elizabeth Weimer, born Jan. 17, 1829, in Connellsville, Pa. By her first husband she had seven children, viz. Mary Elizabeth, born July 10, 1847, wife of H. A. Stewart, living near Creston, Union Co., Iowa, two sons; Susan Rebecca, born Aug. 25, 1849, living at home; David Harstine Presley, born July 31, 1851, a farmer of Rostraver; Hortensius Azariah, born Sept. 5, 1853, merchant in West Newton; John W. S., born Feb. 11, 1856, farmer in Rostraver; Margaret Emma, born April 7, 1860, now living at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Lowry have had two children, viz., Henry Foster, born April 22, 1864, died March 30, 1872; Charles Stephen, born Oct. 27, 1868. Mr. Lowry has been a life-long Democrat; has been called to fill many of the township offices, and often called upon to act as executor and administrator of estates in his township and elsewhere. To the original homestead tract of two hundred acres he has added by purchase about two hundred more. His present fine residence was built in 1878. In farm-buildings and in all equipments for a thoroughly managed farm, none in the township are more complete.