JOHN WALTER LOWRY.

Honored and respected by all, there is no man in Knightstown who occupies a more enviable standing than does John W. Lowry, not alone on account of the success he has achieved in life, but also on account of the honorable, straightforward business policy he has ever followed. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the fair degree of success which is today his.

John Walter Lowry, who is the present postmaster of Knightstown, Henry county, Indiana, was born in this city on the 4th of April, 1855, and is the son of George S. and Ruth A. (Scott) Lowry, both now deceased. George S. Lowry and his wife were the parents of ten children, of whom the subject of this sketch is third in the order of birth. The boyhood days of John Walter Lowry were spent in the locality of his birth, and he received the advantages of a fair common school training. As soon as old enough he commenced working for his father as a stock shipper. The latter was extensively engaged in this business, being the only stock dealer within a radius of fifteen miles. When he was nineteen years old the subject was taken into partnership by his father and from that time forward his life was a busy and active one. They bought live stock all over this section of the state and shipped mainly to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Buffalo, New York. In addition to this line of business the subject was also engaged in the meat trade. For some years Mr. Lowry performed the duties of bookkeeper in a commission house at Pittsburg, being at the same time enabled to attend to the sales of their stock in that city. However he was usually on the road. They did a large business in their line and ever maintained a high reputation for honor and fair dealing.

John Walter Lowry has ever since attaining his majority taken a keen and active interrst in political affairs, being an earnest and uncompromising Republican, and formed many warm political friendships, among them that of the Hon. James E. Watson, member of congress from this district. On the 6th of October, 1900, Mr. Lowry received the appointment as postmaster of Knightstown and entered at once upon the active duties of the office. Knightstown is a third-class postoffice, the receipts of the office averaging upwards of five thousand dollars and the business requiring the services of seven employes. Knightstown is also the headquarters for three rural delivery routes. The establishment of the rural delivery system has caused the suspension of one postoffice in this vicinity, that at Snyder.

On the 19th day of November, 1878, at Winchester, Indiana, John Walter Lowry was united in marriage with Miss Addie M. Maulsby. This union was a happy one and was blessed by the birth of a son, Charles W., who is now deputy postmaster under his father. The faithful wife and loving mother passed into the shadows on the 4th of November, dying of consumption after an illness of two years.

Fraternally Mr. Lowry is a member of the Knights of Pythias,and is a past chancellor of the local lodge, having also served as representative to the grand lodge. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episeopal church. By a life of strenuous endeavor and right living Mr. Lowry has earned and retained the sincere regard of the citizens among whom he has resided for so many years.

Source: "Biographical memoirs of Henry County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography--memoirs of eminent men and women in the United States, whose deeds of valor or works of merit have made their names imperishable." ⁹²⁷