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| 20 | BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA |
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common schools. His parents removed from Franklin county to Indiana county about 1834, where his father died. The latter was a tanner by trade, but followed the milling and distillery business in Indiana county. Dr. John Lowman was apprenticed to learn the carpenter trade, but becoming dissatisfied with it because of a desire for a professional career, entered Indiana academy at Indiana, Pennsylvania. He read medicine later with Dr. Stewart, of Indiana, Pennsylvania, and entered Jefferson Medical college in 1844, graduating from that institution in 1847. He located in Johnstown, where he practiced his profession with deserved distinction until his death, June 16, 1894. He was a member of the American Medical association, the Pennsylvania State Medical association, and the Cambria County Medical society, of which body he was the first president. He was the first surgeon ever appointed by the Pennsylvania railroad, and held the position until his death. He made a specialty of surgery, being for a number of years the only surgeon in the valley. From 1864 to 1872 he was pension examiner of the city. He did not confine his labors wholly to his professional duties, but like a good citizen aided in the promotion of private enterprises that were beneficial to his neighbors. So we find him one of the originators of the Johnstown Water company, and also of the Johnstown Gas company, being at the time of his death president of the latter and a director of the former. He was also one of the promoters and charter members of the Johnstown Savings bank, of which he was vice-president at the time of his death. Politically he was first a whig, then a republican, but never sought nor held office. He was a member of the Episcopal Church |
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of Johnstown, and of the Masonic fraternity. He was married to Margaret Ann Bodine, of New Jersey, whose ancestors were French Huguenots, and they had but one child, Dr. Webster B. Lowman, our subject. He was born March 25, 1841 at Indiana, Pennsylvania. After preparatory studies at Burlington college, New Jersey, he commenced the study of medicine in 1865 at Johnstown with his father. He attended two courses of lectures at the Jefferson Medical college, from which school he graduated in 1867. He began, after graduating, the practice of medicine in Johnstown, where, except the time he was engaged in the Civil War, he has practiced ever since. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in company K, Third regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, but was promoted to the office of hospital surgeon. In June, 1861, he was discharged on account of disability, but re-enlisted in 1862 as first sergeant of company K, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers. December, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant, and afterwards, captain of this company. At the expiration of the time of enlistment he was mustered out of the service, but re-entered September 10, 1864, as captain of Battery "D," Fifth Pennsylvania artillery, and remained to the close of the war. He is now a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, United States. Dr. Lowman, as a medical man of high standing, holds various responnsible positions and memberships. Since 1867 he has been surgeon of the Cambria Iron company, and of the Pennsylvania railroad company; surgeon in charge of the Cambria hospital since 1884. He is surgeon of the Johnson Steel company; between 1873 and 1893 was United |
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