Walter Lowrie

Who was Walter Lowrie?

Walter Lowrie was a teacher, farmer, and politician from Butler County, Pennsylvania. He served in both houses in the state legislature and represented Pennsylvania in the United States Senate. Serving as chairman of the Committee on Finance during the 2nd session of the 17th Congress.

After his term as a Senator, Lowrie stayed on as Secretary of the Senate for eleven years. In 1836 he moved to New York City and went to work with the Missionary Board of the Presbyterian Church. He remained with them until his death. Three of his sons, John Cameron, Walter Macon, and Reuben, were prominent as missionaries to India and China. A nephew, Walter H. Lowrie, later served as chief justice of Pennsylvania's Supreme Court.

Lowrie died in New York City on December 14, 1868 and is interred in the First Presbyterian Church in Manhattan.