Birth Date: 9 Jan 1828

Birth Place: Seneca County, NY

Death Date: 22 Dec 1901

Death Place: Ypsilanti, Michigan

Buried: Stony Creek Cemetery, Augusta Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan, USA

Occupation: Farmer

Education: District Schools

Notes:

largely self educated

203 acres of land

no children

from Biographical Album of Washtenaw Co., Michigan

copied by Jean Lowden 10-27-65

Few families in Augusta Township have a higher standing for character, ability and enterprise that the one represented by the name at the head of this paragraph and its various members it is eminently worth of the respect which is universally conceded to it. He of whom we write is a native of Seneca county, N.Y. and a son of James L. and Rachel (LYON) Lowden. He was born January 9, 1828 and was but a little boy when he came with his parents early in the 30's to what was then the Territory of Michigan.. Covered wagons were the vehicles of travel which brought these enterprising people from their homes in Seneca County to Buffalo, N.Y. and from there they traveled by boat to Detroit, and again took the prairie schooners to the new home.

James L Lowden made his home in the southern part of Ypsilanti Township, on the line between that township and Augusta Township. Upon his farm there were but a few acres cleared and the new home was made in almost unbroken forest. Hardships and self denials were endured by this brave household and severe labor was sustained by all, for they were determined to clear the land which had been secured from the government, and to put it into the best possible condition for future crops. The mother passed from the earth in 1875 and the father died in 1880. Their five surviving children are William H, Martha J, Eleanor C., James l., and Harriet. The eldest daughter, Mary, married Isaac K. Collar of Ypsilanti Township and is deceased. Martha J. Is now the wife of F. A. Graves: Eleanor is Mrs. Peter D. Rogers, and Harriet is the wife of T. M. Van Gieson. The youngest son of this family, the Hon. James L. Lowden, is the present popular and efficient Representative from the second district in the State Legislature.

The death of the father of this family caused general mourning throughout the county as he was esteemed among the prominent and most public-spirited citizens of this part of the State. Our subject did his full share of assisting the family during the early days and learned to swing an axe with a right good will against the forest trees. He can relate many a thrilling incident of pioneer life, and is thus one of the most instructive and entertaining conversationalists whom one may meet. He had few advantages aside from the education to be obtained in the district schools, but thoroughly improved all that came his way and is largely self-educated.

Upon the 4th of May 1851 William Lowden and Sophia Crittenden were united in the bonds of marriage. This lady is a sister of N.E. Crittenden of Ypsilanti Township whose sketch appears upon another page of this volume, and she is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and influence. One hundred and two acres of land forms this home farm and it is under excellent cultivation. Mr. Lowden's political views bring him into line with the Democratic party and for three years he served as School Inspector for Augusta Township, and for more than twenty years has been connected with Board of his School District. He was connected with the Eastern Michigan Society, of which he was President for two years, he having been superintendent for the cattle and then the department when he was elected as President of the Society. The confidence of the business community is his full measure and his integrity and honesty are everywhere known.

Mr. Lowden is a splendid representative of the typical Michigan farmer and possesses to marked degree the regard which is given to the pioneers of this section. His interesting wife also enjoys an unusual degree of the good will of her neighbors and friends and she is an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and this Album would indeed be incomplete with a recital of the life his of this valued couple.

Sophia H. Crittenden

Spouse Notes:

marriage possibly 1849

no children

Marriage Date: 4 May 1851