My Genealogy Hound

LOWRY H. WEST, Homestead. This gentleman was born on the old home farm of his father and grandfather, in what is now Homestead borough, Feb. 19, 1826. His great grandfather, Edward West, came from Virginia and settled in Washington county. His son, Joseph, married Mrs. Mary Hay, a widow with two sons, Lowry and John Hay, who went west and purchased a large stock-farm, on which they laid out the town of Shawneetown, Ill., and where Lowry was killed. Joseph and Mary (Hay) West had the following named children: Alexander, Edward, Joseph and Matthew. Joseph married Sarah Whittaker (both were natives of Mifflin township, Allegheny county), and had ten children: Martha, Mary A., Aaron, Lowry H., Joseph, Sarah, Margaret, Matthew, Alexander and Edward. Lowry H. and three brothers inherited the old homestead, which they farmed until 1870, when they sold the farm to the Homestead Improvement company.

Lowry H. West married, Oct. 30, 1851, Miss Eliza J. Snyder, who was born in Pittsburgh, a daughter of Jacob and Jane (Wilson) Snyder, the former of whom was born in Switzerland, and came, in August, 1807, with his parents to America, where they purchased a farm in Mifflin township, this county. Jacob Snyder was a great reader, and was well educated; he and his wife were Presbyterians. Mr. and Mrs. Lowry H. West have four sons and three daughters: North West, of N. West & Co., paper-manufacturers, 114 and 115 Water street, ranks among the leading business-men of Pittsburgh; was married to Miss Martha Walker, June 1, 1876; and they have one daughter, Marguerite Allison West. They are members of the North Presbyterian Church, Allegheny City, and Mr. West of the Americus club and the R. A. C. Lowry H. West, Jr., married Miss Anna Ballard, of Lake City, Minn. He is engaged in fruit-growing at San Buenaventura, Cal. Joseph Aaron West, brick-manufacturer; dealer in real estate, coal, hay, grain and mill-feed; mortgage-broker and insurance, Homestead, married Miss Ada B. Hargrave of Latrobe, Pa. Jacob S. West, born Jan. 24, 1858, dealer in hay, grain and cattle, married Miss Fannie Evans, of Ohio; Laura West, wife of Rev. Wm. Evans, of Grand Junction, Iowa; Ida B. West died in infancy; Miss Martha E., residing at home with her parents.

Mr. West was named after his relative, Col. Alexander Lowry, who came from the north of Ireland to Lancaster county, Pa., in 1729. As senior colonel he commanded the Lancaster militia company at the battle of Brandywine; for 1775, 1776, 1778, 1779, 1780, 1785, 1787 and 1788 he was a member of the general assembly, and in 1791 was elected state senator. He died Jan. 31, 1806, one of the greatest men Pennsylvania ever produced. Mr. Lowry H. West ranks among the leading citizens as an upright, honorable gentleman and a descendant of prominent old families of Allegeheny county. He is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, of which he and his wife are members. He is president of the Homestead cemetery, and engaged in real estate, owning considerable property in Homestead and the western states.