Born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, on the 19th day of April, 1826, and is the son of John Lowrie and Sallie, nee Cobb, the former of Scotch-Irish descent and the latter of English extraction. His father was one of the early settlers of his native town, and here the subject spent his early life, receiving the advantages of the common schools, and having a desire for a thorough education, and had recourse to the occupation of aspiring youth - school teaching. He supplemented his early education by attendance at the Howard University. He made a choice of law as a profession and attended the National Law School. In 1853 he came to Michigan and settled at Battle Creek, remaining there two years. On January 14, 1856, he removed to Keokuk, Iowa, and engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1860 he was selected by his friends to represent the county in the Ninth General Assembly of the State Legislature, and served with credit to himself and honor to his constituents. He was appointed on the staff of Governor Kirkwood, and assisted in equipping and assigning the troops to their respective commands. He came to Boone county after the passage of the bankruptcy law, was appointed Register in Bankruptcy, and his district embraced thirty-seven counties. He held the office until the law was repealed. He was married December 19, 1854, to Miss R. Brown.