The state herald., 1920-03-05
Governor l.owden Of Illinois,
Leading Republican Candi-
date, Had Humble Start.
WON OVER MANY OBSTACLES
A sehooimastsr at Fifteen-Werked
Way Through College and Law
School-From Law to Politics
Farming His Big
Interest.


Gov. Frank o. Lowden of Illinois.
one of the prominent candidates for
the Republican presidential nomina-
tiOn, won success In life by grit and
hard work Son of village black
smith, confronted by the privations of
an undeveloped country, enjoying only
such advantages as he could earn by
unremitting work and sacrifice-it was
not the kind Of beginning to promise
a brilliant future. But by determine
tion. ambition and ability Lowden lev
eled the obstacles that rose about him
and made success look his way.
Governor Lowden was born near
Sunrise. Minn.. on January %, 1881.
His father Nns Lorenzo Lowden. who
ran the village blacksmith shop. The
Lowdens left Sunrise when Frank was
seven years old. barely out Of the
primer class at the school which Lo-
renzo helped to build. and moved to
Hardin county. Iowa. There the elder
Lowden took up farming. The boy
farmed, too. but did more. He made
spare time for himself and demanded
an education. SO well did he succeed
that at fifteen he was master Of the
country school. saving his few dollars
for college. At twenty he entered the
University Of Iowa. BY outside work
he made enough money to complete
his course-at the head Of his class.
Then he went to Chicago. He want
ed to be a lawyer. BY the same pro-
gram Of work and sacrifice that had
advanced him thus far Lowden work
ed his way through the Union college
Of law. completing two-year course
In one year-ugain at the head Of his
class.
Now came more years Of hard work,
but blessed with greater rewards than
the young man had before known. In
1896 he was married to Miss Florence
Pullman. daughter OF one of Americas
greatest business men. Four children
have been born TO them. II son and
three daughters.
Lowden began to take nm active In
tercst In politics. He was delegate
to the national convention that In
1900 nominated Mckinley and Roose-
welt. -Four years later he was can
didate before the Republican guberna.
torial convention. but u combination
Of the Ynies-reneen forces defeated
him. Lowden took the stump and
helped elect his successful rival,
Charles $. Deneen.
Two years later he was elected to
congress from the Thirteenth Illinois
district. lie retired voluntarily after
two and half terms. On quitting
congress he went TO his farm near
Oregon. H.. and devoted himself TO
making that one of the finest proper
ties Of It's kind Ia the state.
Meanwhile In 1904 he had beeu
made member OF the Republican ma
tional committee from Illinois, on
which he served until 1912. In 1915
he entered the gubernatorial primary
and wns nominated for that office. lie
was elected and took his seat the fol-
lowing January TO begin what has
proved one of the most constructive
and successful administrations record.
ed In the history Of the state.
In brief. the chief events OF Govern.
or Lowlen's life. are ms follows:
1sSi--Born. Sunrise. MInn.
lsSs-Moved to Hardin county. 10.
lss5-Graduated from University
OF Iowa,
1ss7-Grnduated from law school.
Is06-Mnrried TO Miss Florence
Pullman.
1S9s-Entered law partnership Of
Lowden. Estabrook & Davis. Appoint.
ed lieutenant colonel. first Infantry.
Illinois National Guard.
I90t-Dcfeated for Republican nom.
inntIon for governor.
190G-Elcctcd to congress.