Surnames: Lowe, Elliott, Waters, Jennings, Roach, Councellor Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920 GEORGE LOWE Few men of Henry County were as widely and favorably known as the late George Lowe, of New Castle. He was one of the strong and influential citizens whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section of the state and for years his name was synonymous for all that constituted honorable and upright manhood. Tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of purpose, combined with everyday common sense, were among his chief characteristics and while advancing individual success he also largely promoted the moral and material welfare of his community. George Lowe was born in Limerick, Ireland, on the 25th of September 1812, and was the son of David and Elizabeth Lowe. In early childhood he accompanied his parents upon their emigration to America. They located in Monongalia County, Virginia, and there he was reared. In the fall of 1834 he came to New Castle in company with George Waters and here learned the carpenter’s trade with Jacob Elliott, after which he entered actively into the work of contracting. He was a good workman and a careful and painstaking overseer of all contracts, which he undertook, so that he soon earned an enviable reputation as a successful contractor. Along about 1852 the subject erected a residence near where the Lake Erie railroad water tank now stands and which was at that time a dark and wooded ravine. He was away some distance from his nearest neighbors and many times he had to leave the house early in the evening while at work on its construction because of the wolves in that locality. He remembered New Castle when there was but one brick building in the town, that being where the Jennings store now stands. He was long an active factor in the city’s progress and development and continued the business of contracting until prevented from doing so by the loss of his ‘eyesight. He always made this city his home, excepting one period of four years, which he spent upon a farm in Cass County, this state. As soon as he was able he bought land here and upon it erected a number of houses, the plot of ground being located east of the Jennings mill. He erected nearly all the houses in that part of the town and also several in the central part of the city. He platted four different additions to the city of New Castle, known as additions Nos.1, 2, 3 and 4, amounting in all to about ten or twelve acres. Upon his death his estate was left entirely to his wife, with full responsibility. This property she has since continued to manage, having sold off many of the lots, and she is now dividing the property. Mr. Lowe died on the 28th of September 1898, at the advanced age of eighty-six years and three days. His death was a sad loss to this community and many were the expressions of profound regret at his decease. Mrs. Lowe still maintains her residence in the comfortable home, which Mr. Lowe built shortly after his return from Cass County. At the age of twenty-four years Mr. Lowe was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ellen Roach, who was then nineteen years old. She was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, and at the age of two years was brought by her parents to this county. She remained here, though her parents subsequently removed to Wayne County, thence to Brown County, this state. Their marriage took place in New Castle, at the home of Henry Schroyer. To them were born eleven children, of whom those now living are briefly mentioned as follows: William is a wealthy contractor residing at Warrensburg, Missouri; Charles and John are also contractors residing at the same place; George is a brick contractor and resides in Muncie, this state; Henry lives on the farm at New Castle. Another son, David, died and left to the care of the subject’s wife two small children, who both died, so that she has had altogether the care of thirteen children: The only surviving daughter, Virginia, is the wife of Henry Hurleman. Mrs. Lowe also has seventeen grandchildren and two great grand children. A noteworthy fact is that the subject and his wife owned the first cook stove ever used in New Castle and also the first heating stove. The latter was for many years in use in the office of the county clerk, but is now stored in a barn loft. Mr. Lowe started the first Sunday school in New Castle, having seven small boys as the first pupils. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and at one time when the church had communion with closed doors, as was then sometimes customary, he with his wife attempted to enter, but were refused admission by the door keeper, which caused Mr. Lowe to make some decidedly pointed remarks. He always maintained a deep interest in his church and Sunday school and was an active worker in the latter as long as able to attend. He was a faithful attendant upon the old camp meetings, which were then held on the site of the present Springer residence on the hill on North Main Street, and which was then considered out of town. Mr. Lowe served for many years in the capacity of class-leader. Mrs. Lowe is now a remarkably well-preserved lady and retains to a notable degree her physical and mental faculties. She was prior to and for a time after her marriage a poor girl, but she and her husband wisely resolved to live strictly with in their means, going without many luxuries and oftentimes even without necessities. She has in recent ‘years made several handsome bedspreads, stand covers, portieres, etc., of silk scraps, and which evidence her remarkable skill as a nneedlewoman She is a kind neighbor, a warm-hearted lady, a congenial friend, and a consecrated Christian woman whose friends are numbered by the score. Henry S. Lowe, sort of the late George Lowe was born on the 28th of May 1861, in New Castle in the house in which his mother now resides. He was reared at home and received the benefit of a good education in the city schools, passing all the grades. Upon leaving school he commenced working with his father at the carpenter’s trade, but the greater part of his life was devoted to the care of his father’s farm, on which he still resides. He was married September 23, 1882, to Miss Emma Councellor, she being seventeen years old at the time of their marriage. They commenced housekeeping on the farm of sixty acres, which adjoins the city of New Castle. He is executor of his father’s estate, valued at about ten thousand dollars. He rents other land and carries on general farming, being quite successful in his operations. He is the father of four children, as follows: Eva has finished the grades in the city schools and is very accomplished in music; Ella has also finished her school work; Georgia and William are promising youths, full of life and sunshine. Mr. Lowe is a Republican and is an earnest worker in the party ranks. Religiously he and his wife’ are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church arid active workers in the Sun day school. Fraternally he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, holding membership in Iroquois Tribe.------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------