Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1895-08-24

non. LLOYD LOWndeS, the president OF the
Second National Bank, Of Cumberland, Md,
is a descendant of distinguished Maryland
family. Richard Lowndes of Bostock House,
Cheshire, England, was his great great-grand-
father. His great-grandfather. Christopher
Lowndes, came from England, and was a
successful merchant at Bladensburg before
the national capital was located at Washing
ton. He married Elizabeth Tasker, daughter
Of Governor Tasker, one of the prominent
early colonial governors of the State His
grandfather Charles Lowndes, married Eliza.
beth Lloyd, daughter of Governor Edward
Lloyd, one of the most distinguished of
the early governors of Maryland Charles
Lowndes was in early life a merchant at
Georgetown, d. G., but husbandry being
more to his tastes, he retired upon neat es-
tate in Jefferson county, the eastern outpost
of the Valley of Virginia. On the 4th of
July, 1900 before this event, the father of the
present Lloyd Lowndes was born at George
town, ID. c. When twenty-f -four years of age
he and his younger brother, Richard r.
Lowndes, settled in Cumberland, Md. They
followed the family traditions and engaged
in mercantile business. Very soon the firm
of l.. 4 r. T. Lowndes became Que of the
strongest in the State.
In 1881 Lloyd Lowndes moved to Clarks-
burg, Harrison county, Va, and there estab-
lished q branch house under the name of
Lowndes & Co. He gave to the new enter
prise in this comparatively primitive section
of the country the force of his best exertions
and vigorous business ability. The twin
houses acting in conjunction, controlled by
the same business sense and integrty, became
very prosperous. In 1910 Mr.. Lowndes mar
ried Mary Elizabeth Moore, daughter of
Thomas Moore, of Clarksburg Four sons
were the issue of this marriage, three of
whom grew to manhood. Mr.. Lowndes
died on the 18th of March, 1879, in Clarks.
burg after remarkably successful career of
more than half a century. 1t can be said of
him that he was one of the most careful bus
mess men, successful merchants and valuable
citizens of the State He left large fortune
as the fruit of his industry and business tact.
His name occupies a conspicuous place IN the
history of this section OF West Virginia, not
more for the successful monuments of his
liie's work than for the liberality, kind-heart-
edness and untiring zeal with which he lent
his name and force to the advancement of
the section in when he lived.
Commodore Charles Lowndes was the only
one of his direct family to leave the avenues
of his business. He served with distinction
in the United States navy, and resides on his
beautiful estate on Miles River, Talbot
county, Md.
Hon. Lloyd Lowndes, the subject of this
sketch, was born in Clarksburg February q,
1919 He laid the foundation of his early
education at the academy of his native town.
In early life he developed those qualities of
mind and character which have since given
him marked success at the bar, in politics, in
business and in social life When sixteen
years of age he entered Washington college,
Washington, Pa, where he remained for two
years. He finished his education at ALLIE
ghany college, Meadville, Pa, graduating
with distinction in 1865, when only twenty
years of age. AS he had chosen the pro.
fesson of law. he set about preparing HIM
self for the bar Richard l.. Ashurst, of
Philadelphia, was his preceptor While pur-
suing his legal studies with this distinguished
lawyer he attended the Law School of the
University of Pennsylvania, and graduated
therefrom IN 1867. He at once settled i'm
Cumberland where his father had begun
business. He married Elizabeth T. Lowndes.
His force of character, energy, talents and
probity won him almost immediate recog-
milton and success. In the midst of prac-
tice which almost Immediately demanded
great part of his time his ambition and
tastes led him to the broader field of politics
and state-craft. Public affairs tending to the
advancement of the community in which he
lived secured his early and eager attention
and gained HIM the opportunity for that
distinction which he has since achieved.
In politics, as well as in business life, he
soon took a prominent part. He is repub-
lican of earnest convictions, and forcible and
aggressive in their expression In 1872 he
was nominated for Congress, his district at
that time being largely democratic, with but
single republican county. So rapidly had
he advanced in public favor that he carried
the district by LOO majority against Hon.
John Richie, of Frederick county, who had
carried it by over l, 500 majority two years be-
fore. A very spirited canvass followed Mr..
Lowndes' nomination, and in his election he
was the first to change its political COM
plexion since Hon. Francis Thomas had
represented the district.
Mr.. Lowndes was only twenty-eight when
he entered the Forty-third Congress and was
at the time its youngest member. He served
on some of the most important committees
during the session of that Congress, and in his
congressional career he advanced as rapidly
as in the other pursuits in which he had met
with such signal success, winning distinction
as an active, energetic worker, while his So
cialqualities made him exceedingly popular
with his fellow members, and his untiring in.
dustry IN all matters relating to the affairs of
his district won him the respect and admlra-
ton of his constituents.