Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-11-03
Addresses Delivered q tho Funo-
ri o. Rev. s q. Lowry, Il
Austin, Sept 40. 5.s5=

Au0t1n, 60pL 10.
Died, Sept. 26th, 1856, at his homo II
Austin, Mimi, Rev. Samuel Gardiner
Lowry. ~ s..
| TIE funeral services were held the fol-.
lowing Tuesday, at the Congregational
church, the principal discourse being
preached by Rev. II. G. Cheadle Of Jack
son, Mimi AN old friend of the deceased.
The discourse contained the following
interesting facts concerning the life Of
Mr.. Lowry:
Rev. Samuel Gardiner Lowry was
born in Salem, Warrington Co., East
Tennessee, March 26th, 1900. His father,
Adam Lowry, was native Of Derry, in
the north of Ireland His mother, Julia
Doak, was the daughter of Rev. Samuel
Doak, who was born in the drst stene
house;west Of the Blue Ridge. in Augusta,
Co., Virginia, and was educated at Prince
ton under the Presidency Of Rev. DIR.
Witherspoon. He was the first minister
who settled in Tenn. He also opened =
school there, which afterwards became
known as Washington College. One of
the early pupils of this school was Edison
Blackburn D. D., also, DR.. David Nelson,
author of The Cause and Cure of Inf
deity" TWAS in this school that Rev.
Mr.. Lowry received his education.
In 1915, during q season of great re-
lieious interest. Mr.. Lowry was con-
verted. and it was then that he began to
have the desire of becoming . minister
Of the Gospel.
He graduated in 1917, and after two
years spent In farming and teaching, he
offered himself, in the autumn of 1919
to the West Lexington PresbyterY.
which met at Lexington, KY, as can
didate for the ministry, and in company
with James Marshall, aud John Brecken-
ridge. the eldest of the celebrated Breck.
enridge family, was taken into their
care.
His studies were in private, chiefly
under the direction Of his brother-in-
law, Rev. John Rankin.
He was licensed in 1921, and soon
aftervard ordained to the work of tho
ministry.
His first charge was the church at
cessor being Rev. VIM. Williamson.
father Of DR.. T.. 8. WillIaminson. of
missionary fame among the Indians
of Dakota,
About this time Mr.. Lowry married
his first wife, Almira Thomson, sister
Of Profit: II. Thomson, of Hanover
College, IN Indiana.
From Cabin Greek. Mr.. Lowry was
called to the church at New Richmond.
on the Ohio River, about 20 miles above
Cincinnati Here he remained about
two years, not only filing his own pull
pit, but also supplying large number of
0ut-stations.
In 1925, he was sent IS a commits
sioner to the General Assembly, making
the way to Philadelphia and back, on
horseback
On his return from Philadelphia he was
Frustrated with fever and his life des-
paired of for time. On his recovery,
he received from the Board at Philadel-
phla . missionary appointment, and
spent 6 months among the churches and
settlements on the southeast border of
Indiana.
In December. 1926, he accepted call
to Sand Creek, Decatur Co.. Indiana.
This is what was called the New Par
chase" the earliest settlers having been
there but 8 years. The country was
covered by = dense forest. Here MIR.
Lowry preached one half of the time at
Sand Creek, and the rest Of the time 1T 4
boring counties, often preaching every
day and evening, and visiting from house
to house. In this way he maintained the
preaching of the Gospel 1t these many
places, until other ministers came to
take them of his hands.
In going to his various appointments.
during this time he had, often, to swim
streams on horseback, or cross in q canoe,
swimming his horse by its side. Alto
gether it was q work which called fer'rare
skill and endurance and devotion.
In April, 1928, his wife died, leaving
him with little boys:
About this time q revival of religion
began in his church, which was attended
with great results. and which extended
over almost the entire state.
continued labors. and anxleties, Mr..
Lowry found his nervous syetem much
weakened, and he never fully recovered
his former strength.
He was married in 1929 to his second
wife, Maria ]. Hanna, daughter of
Samuel Hanna, of Hanover, Ind.
In 1881, he was again sent as Commits
sioner to the General Assembly, and
afterward, was sent east to raise funds
for the Young Theological Seminary at
Hanover, visiting all the New England
states excepting Rhode Island.
In 1882. he was installed pastor Of the
church ct Peplar-Springs, Putnam Co.,
Indiana.
Here, as at other places, he explored
the surrounding country preaching and
organizing churches.
In 1884, he received missionary ap-
pertinent from the Presbytery, and
spent about years in regular mis-
sionary work, making his home at Craw-
fordville, 10 which place he had moved
for educational advantages.
He was appointed Trustee Of Wabash
College, st this time, and for about two
, years was engaged as travelling agent for
it. He the remained Trustee of this
college till the time of his death.
In 1882. he had the pleasure, by special
invitation, to attend the Semi Centen-
nial Of this flourishlng Institution. which
he had done 20 much to establish.
In 1041, he was called to the pastorate
of tho church in Rockville, Indiana,
where he remained 5 years. From there
he removed to Bainbridge, where he
preached about 10 years.
In 1857, leaving the state which had SO
long been his home. and the scene of 80
many labors-he came to Minnesota and
settled in Sumner, Freedom Co.. where
he organized \ union church the same
year. This was kept up until a Presby-
terian church was organized.-new
known as the Oakland church-of which
his son Rev. Theoph,lus Lowry WAS pas
tor until the time of his death. Mr..
Lowry preaching, at the same time, in
tho places adjoining-Albert Lea, Shell
Rock. Bancroft, Moscow and other
places.
He ceased regular preaching about 10
years ago, although he had continued te
preach more or less, up to within 4 years
of bis death.
Since then his homo has been in Aus
tin, living with his children. from whom
he received the most affectiouate care.
The last time he spoke in public, was
1t the funeral of Hon. Evan Morgan, of
Oakland. in June, 1885. = =.