LOWRIE, WALTER, 1784-1868; b. Edinburgh, Scotland; removed with his parents in 1791 to Huntingdon co., Penn., but soon went to Butler co., which they made their per manent residence. He grew up on his father's farm, and his early education was limited, though his religious training was thorough. At the age of eighteen, he entered upon a course of study with the ministry in view. He studied Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, with great diligence and success. Providential circumstances compelled him to abandon his purpose, and he entered upon other pursuits. Having won the confidence and esteem of the community in which he lived, he was in 1811, at the age of 27, elected to the sen ate of Pennsylvania, and after serving the state in this office for seven years, he was sent to the senate of the United States. His term of service expiring in 1824, be was made secretary of the senate, and held the office 12 years. This he might have held for life, as others had done, and many members of the senate without distinction Of party urged him to retain the place. In the senate were Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Randolph, Benton, and other illustrious men, when the measure known as the Missouri Compromise was earnestly discussed. Among these was Lowrie, whose integrity won their confidence, while his sagacity and practical judgment led them to seek his advice and rely upon his opinions. One who was present at the time has said that he was regarded by the sena
tors who knew him best as an authority upon all questions of political history and con stitutional law. His religious influence in congress was great. Ile with Frelinghuysen and others founded the congressional prayer-meeting, and was one of the founders of the congressional total-abstinence society. In 1836 he was elected corresponding secre tary of the 1Vestern foreign missionary society, and in 1837 of the board of foreign mis sions of the Presbyterian church, which office lie held for 32 years. While in the senate he was a member of the committee on Indian affairs, and became deeply interested in the fate and evangelization of the tribes, whom when secretary he visited, and whose interests he zealously and wisely labored to promote. Mr. Lowrie's oldest son John, who succeeded his father a; secretary, and now occupies that position, was three years. a mis sionary in India. third b011 Walter was a missionary for five years in China, and was thrown into the sea by pirates. His fourth, Reuben was also in China, and after six years' labor fell a sacrifice to constant work and the enervating effect of the climate.