Cornelius C. Lowe

LOWE, HUGHS, ASHTON, WILBER, KNOX

Posted By: Gail Meyer Kilgore (email)
Date: 3/4/2004 at 02:39:59

CORNELIUS C. LOWE, one of the leading agriculturists and stockmen of Pleasant Valley Township, Grundy County, is a native of New York. The prosperity of a place depends in such a great measure upon the business men who reside there that the sketch of a prominent man is at all times an agreeable thing to read, especially when he has won success in his chosen line of work.

Born in Dundee, Livingston County, N. Y., October 18, 1838, our subject is the son of John and Ann (Hughs) Lowe, natives of New Jersey and farmers by occupation. The father, who received his education in the above state, added to his occupation of a farmer the trade of blacksmith, at which he worked for many years in New York. In 1868, when removing farther west, he located with his large family of children in Winnebago County, Ill., where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land and continued to reside until his decease, which occurred in 1878, in his seventy-second year. He was a man who succeeded fairly well in worldly affairs, and in political matters voted with the Republican party. Mrs. Anne Lowe, the mother of our subject, was also reared and educated in New Jersey, and during her life was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church.

Of the nine children born to the parents of our subject, only one is deceased, Elizabeth A. Those living besides Cornelius C. are Sarah J., LaMar H., Rebecca M., Dennis, Mary C., John B., and Charles. Our subject was reared in Livingston County, N. Y., where he learned the trade of a miller. He received only a fairly good schooling, securing none of the higher education given under our present school system. At the time of moving to Winnebago County, Ill., in 1868, he purchased seventy acres of land, on which he resided until the spring of the following year, when he disposed of his tract and came to Pleasant Valley Township.

While residing in Livingston County, N.Y., our subject and Miss Sarah Ashton, also a native of the above county, were united in marriage. To them have been born two children: Charles and Effie (Mrs. George Wilber), both of whom are married and established in pleasant homes of their own. They were both given good educations, and the daughter prior to her marriage taught school for eight years. Charles married Miss Nettie Knox, of Maine, and was the father of four children, one of whom is deceased. Those living are Forest, Glenn and Theron.

Not only has Mr. Lowe pursued his chosen calling with energy, but he has manifested an almost equal amount of zeal for the public welfare. He may be counted upon to bear a part in every worthy enterprise which is promulgated in his neighborhood, and is thus looked upon with great favor by his friends and neighbors. He is now living retired from active work on his fine estate of two hundred and sixty acres, and is considered one of the first-class farmers of Grundy County. In politics he always votes with the Republican party.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894