Page 841

ISAAC NEWTON LOWE was born near Three Bridges, New Jersey, April 2, 1841, he was a son of Richard I., who was born in Lancaster, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, June 1802, and who married for his second wife Sarah Williamson, who was born 1820, married about 1837. His grandfather, Isaac, was of German descent, and for many years was a "village landlord" of the genuine old Pennsylvania type. His wife died leaving only one child, Richard I., about 1838; they moved to New Jersey, where Richard I. engaged for several years in successful merchandising and manufacturing flour. While thus engaged he bought a tract of land of two hundred and forty acres in Jersey county, Illinois, and in the fall of 1847, with his father and family, he moved upon it, then a wild prairie. To expedite business he bought a small piece of land with a house on it, and at once set to improving his farm. His father being well stricken with years of active life, died early in 1848. Richard, year by year, continued his improvements until now (1881), he has one of the finest farms in Jersey county, in fact, in Southern Illinois. His farm upon its boundary lines has a fine living hedge fence; all kinds of fruit are grown in abundance.

He is now (1881), in his eightieth year, in full enjoyment of all his mental faculties, superintending his great interest. He has been most abstemious during his life, having never used tobacco, or used liquor of any kind other than for medical purposes.

He had twelve children, five now living. Two of his sons were among the first to respond to the call for troops to crush the Rebellion. Abraham W., born 1839, enlisted in the Ninety-seventh Illinois Infantry, but before he was mustered in he went to the Springfield Light Artillery, August 25, 1862, and joined that. He distinguished himself in service, but after a few months became partially disabled by rheumatism; was detailed as hospital steward, and served till the close of the war; mustered out June 30, 1865. Edwin, born April 2, 1843, enlisted in the Ninety-seventh Illinois Infantry, 1862, then nineteen years of age; served with distinction in many battles; was killed at the siege of Fort Blakely, Alabama, an outpost of Mobile; the rebels had surrendered, and he, a color bearer, was planting the colors on the walls when a rebel in the trenches shot him; his body was brought home some months later.

Isaac N., the subject of this sketch, was born in New Jersey, April 2, 1841, moved to Illinois with his father, in 1847. He remained upon the farm at home until he was twenty-five years old, (1866), when he married Helen E. Davis, October 31, 1866, who was born October 22, 1849. She was a daughter of John W. Davis, of Jerseyville.

Mr. L. worked his father's farm on shares until February, 1872, when he moved into Talkington township, Sangamon county, where he lived until 1880, when he bought the farm known as the W. T. Mason farm, in Chatham township, of one hundred and sixty acres, at $50 an acre; and is now (1881), a substantial citizen of Sangamon county. His farm is finely situated, composed of rolling prairie; his boundary lines are living hedges.