Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 728 & 731; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
William H. Lowe was born August 7, 1842, on the homestead where
he now resides on the northeast quarter of section 31, Orion Township,
and since attaining manhood has placed himself amongst its substantial
farmers and stock-raisers. He is a son of a worthy pioneer of
this section of Illinois, and is doing his share towards advancing the
interests of his native county, being a well-known figure in its public
life.
Our subject is a son of John and Isabelle (Riley) Lowe.
His father was born in the North of Ireland and was a son of John and
Nancy (Todd) Lowe. They were Protestants and emigrated to the
United States somewhere between 1800 and 1805. They located in
Brooks County, Va., where they lived until 1837 when they came to
Illinois and settled on the farm now owned by our subject, which was
bought by his father. The grandparents both died here at a
venerable age and are buried in what is known as the Orendorf burying
ground.
The father of our subject was but two years old when his parents
landed in America. In his early manhood he came to Illinois, and
cast in his lot with the pioneers of this county, and in the busy years
that followed, developed a fine farm from what was a tract of wild
prairie, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land when he
purchased it. In 1868 he sold the homestead to our subject and
removed with his wife to Emmett Township, McDonough County, where their
lives were brought to an honorable close at a ripe old age. They
now lie sleeping their last sleep side by side in the Stickles burying
ground in that township. They had six children, of whom four are
now living. He had been previously married to a Miss Holmes, by
whom he had three children. Our subject is the only male member
of the family now living in Orion Township or Fulton County. He
was reared under pioneer influences and after attaining man’s estate
adopted as his life work the calling to which he had been bred.
He now owns one hundred and fifty acres of highly cultivated and finely
improved land, which is supplied with a good set of farm buildings,
including a commodious residence of a more modern style of
architecture. This homestead is represented by a view elsewhere.
Mr. Lowe was united in marriage in 1867 with Miss Ann Eliza
Breed, daughter of Jonas and Sarah (Wright) Breed, natives of
Connecticut and Pennsylvania respectively. Mrs. Lowe is a true
homemaker, looking carefully after the comforts of the household, and
assisting her husband in every way possible. They have a family
of fie children living, as follows: Mary I., Charles R., John H.,
Anna B. and J. Bernice, all at home. The family occupy an
enviable position socially, and enjoy the esteem of their numerous
acquaintances.
We should be doing but scant justice to our subject if we did
not mention the honorable part he took in the late Civil War. As
a loyal citizen, he watched with anxious interest the events that led
up to the outbreak and as soon as possible offered his services to his
country, enlisting August 5, 1861, in Company A, Fifty-fifth Illinois
Infantry, and for three years and three months did valiant duty as a
faithful and efficient soldier. During that time he was for
nearly three years under the command of Gen. Sherman, first in his
brigade and later in his division.
Mr. Lowe fought in the battles of Shiloh; the Russell House
skirmish; took an active part in the siege of Vicksburg; was present at
Arkansas Post; at the front of Mission Ridge; in the assault at Kenesaw
Mountain on the 27th of June; on the 22nd of July did duty east of
Atlanta in the battle where Gen. McPherson was killed; on the 28th of
July was at New Hope Church; and on the 30th of August was in the midst
of the hottest of the fight at Jonesboro, where he was wounded and was
not able to be in the following day’s engagement. During his last
year’s service he was Sergeant of his company and one of its most
efficient officers. He was honorably discharged at Chattanooga,
Tenn., October 30, 1864. He did not escape unharmed in the many
battles in which he fought, but at Jonesboro was wounded by a bullet
through the neck, which at times still causes him considerable
inconvenience.
Mr. Lowe is a man of weight and influence in this county, and is
one of our most valued civic officials. He is now Highway
Commissioner, and was a member of the County Board of Supervisors for
two terms doing good work in the interests of township and county,
while representing Orion. In politics he is a stanch adherent of
the Republican party. In commemoration of his soldier life he is
now identified with the Grand Army of the Republic as a member of the
Joe Hooker Post, of Canton.
