Person:Mary Armstrong (67)

From the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County (IL), page 625: Mrs. Mary A. Lowrey. This lady, the widow of Shaftoe Lowrey, deceased - who was the seventh son in a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters - is known as one of the most energetic and enterprising women of Cedar Township, and possesses a large business capability, and is endowed with more than ordinarily financial acuteness and foresight. She was born in Geneva, New York, 8 December 1817, and is the daughter of John and Mary (Barron) Armstrong. The former was of Scotch lineage and blood, but was American born, claiming the State of New Jersey as his birthplace. The mother was of English ancestry. Mr. Armstrong died of pneumonia, in 1852, while visiting in Canada, and his wife, in 1879, in Iowa. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: John lives in Missouri; he married Miss Nancy Morrison [sic] who died, when he again married; Harriet married William Tracy and lives in San Francisco, California; Matilda married H.J. Sanders, and lives in Abingdon; William A. died in California, in 1850; Rebecca is married and lives in Minneapolis; Margery married G.H. Flanders; and the subject of our sketch. Mr. Lowrey was born near Geneva, New York, 4 October 1814, and died 12 July 1870, having only reached middle life. He united heart and hand with the subject of this narration, 4 October 1842, and a few years after his marriage, in 1849, he went to Canada West, where, on Grand River, he engaged in lumbering, which occupation he followed for the space of six years. A brother-in-law, Mr. J.Z. Reed, whose home was in Buffalo, New York, was associated with him in business as a partner. They subsequently added a lumberyard to the original enterprise. At the expiration of the six years, Mr. Lowrey came West and purchased 260 acres of land where he lived contentedly until called home by death. Mrs. Lowrey's bereavement occurred 12 July 1870, but bravely putting aside her womanly weakness, she took her place courageously at the head of the business affairs of the farm, which she managed until two years ago, reflecting great credit upon herself by her judicious planning and execution. At that time she rented the greater portion of her farm, and in 1877 erected a handsome dwelling, two stories high, and finely finished in every particular. She was the sole superintendent and designer of the building and when it was finished at a cost of $3,000, it was the pride of that part of the county. It stands on a heavy foundation, enclosing a large cellar, which underlies the entire structure. The walls of the cellar are composed of Sagetown limestone, heavily lined with brick. The grounds surrounding the house include about two acres and are laid out in the most tasteful and attractive manner, forming a beautiful lawn in front, planted with evergreens. This is made still more inviting by the addition of rustic seats, flower beds, etc. She has one large barn, 31 X 60 feet, and another not so large, but finely finished. She is engaged quite extensively in the breeding of blooded fowls - the Light Brahmas, White Leghorns and Plymouth Rocks. The quarters proved for them are elegant and are supposed to be among the finest in the county, the houses being finished with zinc floors and plastered. Among her other enterprises is the breeding of Galloway cattle, which has proved very profitable. She bought prince Jumbo at a high price. He is numbered 2180, in the American Herd-book, and is considered one of the finest animals in the country. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Lowrey was productive of three children, all girls, who were born as follows: Alice M, 6 July 1844; she married Charles Mount, and died 23 September 1875, leaving one son - Shaftoe Lowrey; Mary M. 3 June 1846, died in Canada, 24 December 1852; and Jane E. was born 12 December 1847, and was married in the State of Illinois, to Franklin Mount, and died 4 August 1874, leaving two daughters, Jennie and Matilda. Matilda lives with our subject. Jennie is endowed with a remarkable artistic talent, specimens of her painting showing skill seldom met in one of her years. Mrs. Lowrey is educating both her granddaughters, giving them the best advantages in music and painting that the schools afford. Mr. Lowrey, husband of our subject, was quite prominent in public affairs, and a useful man socially. He was for 20 years Justice of the Peace and Supervisor, and was at the time of his death School Treasurer, which off ice he held a number of years. He was a man of affable and courteous manner and possessed of a first-class education, besides being truly cultured and refined. By calling he was a farmer, and his hearty and frank manner gained him friends on all sides, so that he was widely lamented at his death. He made religious profession of the Protestant Methodist faith and lived in his daily life the true principles of that noble Christianity as shown in the Word of God. Mrs. Lowrey is a Baptist by profession, joining their church when 15 years of age, but was congenial in spirit with the faith of her husband, who lingered for some time with that deceptive disease, consumption, but who finally yielded up life in patient resignation. He was a Republican in politics, and an honest, upright, conscientious man; striving to do unto his neighbors as he would have them do unto him. Among the numerous persons who are represented in the portrait department of this Album. none are more deserving than Mr. Lowrey.