HENRY LOWRY
Henry Lowry, a prominent citizen of Atlantic, is now retired from the duties of an active business life. He is a native of Ireland, born in County Down, in August, 1822. He removed to Belfast, where he was employed by his brother as clerk and book-keeper. In June, 1848, he joined the organization known as the "Protestant Repeal Association," which advocated a home rule doctrine for Ireland. That organization was suppressed and its leaders, John Mitchell, Smith O'Brien and T. Francis Meagher were transported. Subsequently Mitchell and Meagher made their escape, the former as is well known, was a southern sympathizer during the war of the Rebellion, and Meagher was a gallant soldier in the Union Army. Mr. Lowry came to the United States in 1849, landing in New York. He at once went to Philadelphia, thence to Pittsburg, and then to St. Louis, thus traveling about in search of employment. From St. Louis he went to Alton, Illinois, and it being absolutely necessary that he should do something on account of the depleted condition of his purse, he engaged in working at carpentering. He had not learned the trade, but his father having been a mechanic, he had acquired a familiarity with the use of tools, and was soon able to learn the business. He was naturally of a mechanical turn of mind, and in an incredibly short time was master of the trade, became a contractor and builder, and succeeded in business to a remarkable degree. He continued in this business until he came to Mills county, Iowa, in 1867. The first land he owned was in Green county, Illinois, for which he paid five dollars per acre. He made a practice of investing the money earned in real estate, and from the advance in such property, made considerable money. He exchanged his lands in Illinois, for lands in Iowa, in 1865, owning at one time about two thousand acres. In 1871 he came to Cass county, and since that time has lived in Atlantic. He now owns a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, in Pymosa township, and a beautiful home in the city of Atlantic. Mr. Lowry was married in June, 1876, to Mrs. Sarah E. (Sheldon) Taylor, who was born in the town of Greene, Monroe county, New York, in 1835. She removed to Boone county, Illinois, with her parents in 1838. Mr. Lowry as a business man, has been quite successful. He came from the hardy race of the North of Ireland, and inherits the strong common sense, positive opinions, and the strict integrity of that people.
Contributed by Lisa Varnes-Rex from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pg. 887-888.
