Robert W. Lownes
Although at present living a retired life in Denison, Robert W. Lownes was for many years actively connected with the agricultural interests of this section of the state, having been a resident of Crawford county since 1880.
He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1843, a son of Isaac C. and Ann Elizabeth (Williamson) Lownes, who were originally from Pennsylvania. The father was a wheelwright by trade and in 1867 came to Iowa, settling near Red Oak, where he bought four hundred acres of land and engaged in general farming. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, of whom the following survive: Margaret, who became the wife of George Traver and lives in Omaha, Nebraska; Robert W.; and Elizabeth, who married Gabriel Pribble and resides in Louisville, Nebraska. The father died in March, 1870, in his sixtieth year, the mother's death occurring in New Jersey at the age of fifty eight years.
Robert W. Lownes attended the district schools and worked on a farm near Kankakee, Illinois, until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he was among the first to respond to his country's call. He was but eighteen years old at the time he enlisted in Company K, Fourth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, under Captain Wooster who had organized the company, and for the following three years faithfully performed the duties of a soldier of the rank and file, whether called to the front or assigned to the lonely watches of guard mount. His first engagement was the battle of Fort Henry, which lasted three days, and he later participated in the battle of Shiloh and in numerous raids and skirmishes. He was mustered out of service with the rank of corporal. After the cessation of hostilities he returned to Kankakee and once more resumed his daily labors on the farm. There he remained until 1867, when he came to Iowa and located near Red Oak, Montgomery county, purchasing his father's farm of one hundred and twenty acres, where he pursued general farming for about one year.
He then moved into the town of Red Oak and made that his home until 1873, then went to Kansas, staying there about one year, after which he returned to Red Oak. In the spring of 1880 he came to Denison and lived here for ten years, at the end of which period he rented a farm of two hundred and forty acres near that town, upon which he resided for one year. He next removed to Charter Oak township, where he rented one hundred and sixty acres, and during the ensuing year he rented the entire farm, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres, which he worked for nine years. His next move was to a farm near Charter Oak, comprising three hundred and twenty acres, called "The old sheep ranch," where he resided for nine years and then moved three and a half miles from that farm to what was known as the Pete Farley farm, comprising two hundred and forty acres. This he occupied for only one season and then purchased three acres in the town of Denison and here he has since made his home.
On May 26, 1870, Mr. Lownes was united in marriage to Josephine Cure, a daughter of M. W. and Elizabeth (Davis) Cure. To the latter couple were born fifteen children, of whom the following survive: Catherine, who married Clayton Atwood, of Texas; Mary Ann, who became the wife of W. M. Sullivan and resides in Kentucky; Sarah E., who married Robert Saunders and lives in Kentucky; Adelia, who is the wife of Jesse Powers and makes her home in Iowa; Martha Jane, who married August Werner and lives in Iowa; Josephine; Lucy, who is a resident of Omaha, Nebraska; Alice V., who is the wife of Representative P. H. Boland, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Amanda, who became the wife of Miles Mark and resides in Illinois.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lownes have been born twelve children, those who survive being as follows: William M., of Woodbine, Iowa; Gertie Elizabeth, the wife of Louis Peters, of Charter Oak; Isaac Albert, of Vardel, Nebraska; Josie May, the wife of B. E. Weed, of Charter Oak; Arthur D., of Charter Oak; Robert L., of Florida; Ernest B., of Charter Oak; Ella, the wife of Alvin jacobensen, of Arion; and Alice, at home with her parents.
Mr. Lownes is a firm adherent of the principles of the prohibition party and takes a commendable interest in whatever pertains to the good of his community. He has filled several minor offices with efficiency and to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. In religion he is a faithful follower of the Band of Holiness. All through his busy life he has made good use of his opportunities, ever seeking, by unremitting diligence, a chance for advancement, and he stands today as a high type of American manhood whose success in life has been the result of his early endeavors.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.