Tarkington S Lower

Tarkington S. Lower, a representative farmer of Monroe county, was born in Rush county, Indiana, on the 29th of July, 1830, and is numbered among the pioneers of this State, where he located in Territorial days. His parents were John and Prudence (Grissom) Lower, the former a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1784. By occupation he was a farmer, carrying on agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest, on the 7th of September, 1861. His wife, who was born in Virginia 1799, died January 21, 1872. Their children were: James, Michael, William, John, Catherine, Eliza, Mahala, Joseph, Jane, Louisa, Wesley and Tarkington S.

Our subject spent the first twelve years of his life in the State of his nativity, and then accompanied his parents on their emigration to the Territory of Iowa, the family locating in Van Buren county in the fall of 1842. In 1844 they came to Monroe county, locating on a farm which is now the home of Mr. Lower. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until 1852, when, wishing to see more of the country and advance his business interests if possible, he made a trip to Oregon, spending three years in that State. In 1885 he returned to his farm and has since made it his place of abode.

On the 24th of January, 1856, Mr. Lower was united in marriage with Miss Mary M. Smith, daughter of Hayden and Emmaranda (Rowles) Smith. They have had nine children: Ella O.; Eva E; Charles e., deceased; Jennie R.; William S.; Cora M.; James H.; Nellie M.; and John W. The parents hold membership with the Methodist Church, and the children adhere to the same faith. Mr. Lower takes a prominent and very active part in church work, doing all in his power for the promotion of the cause of Christianity and the uplifting of his fellow men. His career is an honorable and upright one, and his fellow townsmen give him their confidence and high regard. He is a successful farmer, and has a good home a mile and a quarter northeast of Albia, in Troy township, Monroe county.