Husband Ira Ellsworth Lower 1 2
Born: 21 Sep 1872 - Mt. Union, Stark Co, OH 1
Christened:
Died: 23 Apr 1941 - Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co, PA 3
Buried:
Father: George Washington Lower (1850-1912) 1 4
Mother: Mary A. Hollabaugh (1852/1852-1938) 1 4
Marriage: 17 Mar 1897 3 5
Wife Anna Belle Ruff 2 5
Born:
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Children
1 M Clarence George Lower 5 6
Born: 22 May 1899 - New Bethlehem, Clarion Co, PA 5 6
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Died:
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Spouse: Gladys Elmira Hepler ( - ) 6
Marr: New Bethlehem, Clarion Co, PA
2 M Lloyd Curtiss Lower 5 7
Born: 27 Jun 1902 - New Bethlehem, Clarion Co, PA 5 7
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Died:
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Spouse: Martha Marie Bowser ( - ) 7
Marr: 17 Nov 1931 - New Bethlehem, Clarion Co, PA 7
3 M Harold Jesse Lower 5 7
Born: 25 Sep 1904 5
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Spouse: Gertrude Elizabeth Probasco ( - ) 7
Marr: 31 Mar 1927 - Rimersburg, Clarion Co, PA 7
General Notes: Husband - Ira Ellsworth Lower
He was graduated in the public schools of Stark County, Ohio; completed a high school course at Canton, Ohio; and likewise attended business college at Canton. In 1890, at the age of eighteen years, he became associated with his father in the manufacture of hollow building blocks at Louisville, Ohio, where he remained in business for two years, at the expiration of which time the plant was located at Canton, Ohio. In 1899 the factory at Canton was disposed of and Ira E. Lower accompanied his father and the other members of the family to New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where a factory was erected. Blocks were turned out at the rate of fifty car-loads per month, and the factory was in operation during ten months of each year. In addition to their manufacturing interests Mr. Lower and his uncle owned and superintended the management of two stock farms in Porter township, Clarion County, these estates aggregating one hundred and ninety acres. They were known to do the best farming in Clarion County and their model farms were a source of great pride to that section of the commonwealth. In addition to diversified agriculture they raised full-blooded Belgian horses, having at one time eight fine specimens of that breed. They likewise had six half-bloods and six percherons.
He was a Republican and both he and his wife were ardent workers in behalf of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they were devout members. [GPHAV, 718]
He started life on his parents' farm, and was educated in the Stark County, Ohio, grade and high schools, completing his preparation for earning a livelihood in the Canton Actual Business College. In 1890 he went with the other members of the family to Louisville, Ohio, where he became a partner of his father and an uncle, Charles M. Lower, in the manufacture of structural clay tile. The seat of this project was changed to Canton, Ohio, and in 1898 moved to New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where a new plant of the company began operation in May, 1899. With this industry and city, Ira E. Lower was identified for almost forty-two years, for the better part as manager of the New Bethlehem Tile Company.
It is interesting to note that Mr. Lower entered business at the age of sixteen, at eighteen was a tile manufacturer, and had bought and sold a business before he was nineteen years of age. He was interested in natural gas production as a youth, was a bank director of the New Bethlehem Bank for thirty years, at one time operated a garage with his son, Lloyd, and in his final years owned and managed an apartment house in St. Petersburg, Florida. These were only some of his business enterprises, which included realty and two model stock farms in Clarion County.
He was a loyal member of the Golden Rule Association and of the local Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge. Said a contemporary: "Mr. Lower possessed apparently inexhaustible energy. He was always busy at some kind of work. His grasp of details was remarkable. He was firm in his opinions, but respected the opinions of others. His many sterling qualities made for him many friends." Mr. Lower was a member of the Methodist Church, being a member of the official board of the local church for many years. He was much interested in the Men's Bible Class. For a number of years he maintained three missionaries in China. [HNP iii, 520]