Birth Date: 30 Jul 1840

Birth Place: Ypsilanti Twp, Washtenaw Co. Michigan

Death Date: 1909

Death Place: Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County. Michigan

Spouse: Sarah Jane Sherwood

Birth Date: 7 Dec 1845

Death Date: 4 Apr 1933

Spouse Father: Germond Sherwood 

Spouse Mother: Edith

Spouse Notes: 

a note gives girls names as Ella, Alice, Harriet, Sadie and one who died very young

Marriage Date: 18 Mar 1868

Marriage Place: Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., MI

Notes: 

Representative of the second district in the State legislature.

James L. Lowden, Jr. was a MI state senator from 1888 to 1892.

a biography of him and his brother William H. is indicated to exist

Hon. James L. Lowden

From "Portrait and Biographical Album of Washtenaw County, Michigan".  Page 279-280  

copied by Jean Lowden 10-27-65

Among prominent and influential citizens of Washtenaw County, we take pleasure in introducing to our readers the Hon. James L. Lowden, the distinguished and popular representative from the Second District of Washtenaw county, and a resident on section 31, Ypsilanti Township. He is now serving his second term in the legislature and his measures and tactics adopted in a public capacity have been so satisfactory not only to his constituents but to the people at large whom he represents, that he fair to be again successful candidate for the office. Mr. Lowden is a native of Washtenaw County, having been born July 30, 1840, and as a lad was reared on the home farm whereon he now resides.

The original of our sketch is a son of James L and Rachel (Lyon) Lowden, the former a native of New York and the latter of New Jersey. They settled upon the homestead in 1834 and the present beautiful farm which our subject now owns and resides was at that time a dense woods. The tract originally comprised one hundred and sixty acres of land, which James L Lowden Sr., purchased. It was his life work to make this a suitable and comfortable home for his family and to give his children all the advantages possible. He of whom we write is one of the nine children of whom the following still survive: William, Martha J, Eleanor C., Harriet and James L.. Martha is now the wife of F. A. Graves; Eleanor married R. D. Rogers, Harriet is the wife of Morgan VanGeison. The father of the family died in 1881, the mother preceding him by several years, her decease having taken place in 1874. They were representative pioneers and experienced the hardships and pleasures of early settlement. Our subject's father was a Democrat in his political standing.

Representative Lowden was reared to manhood among scenes of pioneer life and has devoted his attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits. The rudiments of his early education were received in the district schools of his native township. At about 15 years of age he entered the State Normal School at Ypsilanti which he attended for two years. And then became a student at the Ypsilanti Seminary, remain there for one term. He subsequently became a teacher and was so employed for two terms.

March 18, 1868, the gentle of whom we write was united in marriage with Sarah J. Sherwood, a daughter of Germond and Edith Sherwood who were early settlers of Ypsilanti township, now both deceased. Of 5 children born to this worthy couple, 4 are now living. They are Ella, Aline M. Harriet and Sadie. Our subject is the owner of One hundred and seventy two acres of land in Ypsilanti Township and Augusta Township, nearly all of which is improved. In 1888 Mr. Lowden was elected Representative to the State Legislature on the Democratic ticket for two years and on the expiration of this time he was re-elected in fall of 1890 for another term. He is a typical man of his locality, advanced in line of thought, progressive and enterprising, a worthy representative of a worthy people. He is identified with the Patrons of Industry and belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, also being united with the Ypsilanti Grange.

Every measure promising a betterment of the condition of the people receives the sanction and support of our subject. He is a public-spirited man who is easily approached by all who need his aid and recognition. During the session of 1891 he served as Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means. His record as a legislator so conceded by all to reflect credit on himself and his constituents.