Colonel Alexnder Lowrey 1723-1805

Alexander Lowrey was six feet in height, raw bones, and possessing great physical prowess.  At an early age he joined his father and brothers trading with Indian tribes.  He learned to speak several Indian languages fluently, which made him a great favorite among the tribes.  He participated in their sports, hunted and trapped with them, and could outrun any man.  He started his own trading company in 1748 and ranges as far west as Kaskakaskia and Ft. Chartres on the Mississippi, and as far north as the Great Lakes with posts at Fort Pitt and Carlisle.In the absence of weights for measuring goods, Lowrey would use his hand that weighed two pounds and his foot which weighed four pounds.  He was frequently selected by the colonial government to collect the chiefs of Indian tribes at Detroit and other places to make treaties.  One winter on his trading travels he was stricken with inflammatory rheumatism on the banks of the Allegheny River. He was carried by Indians to a log cabin and nursed by an old squaw.  An Indian doctor then took him to the river, cut a hole in the ice, and plunged Alexander into the icy water.  He said the shock was so great to his system he was cured instantly and never afflicted again.

By 1755, Alexander had accumulated a fortune and began to buy large tracts of land.  He purchased most of the land held by his father and other family members.  He lost his brother, Daniel, at the massacre of Bloody Run.  He escaped capture by hiding in the wooded mountains for several days and was finally discovered on the York County side of the river near Vinegar's Ferry.  He swam the river and made good his escape.  He said this was the only time he was molested by Indians.

During the Revolutionary war he served both his government in the assembly and the military as a colonel, serving several tours as commander of the Lancaster County Militia.

He married three times.  Two seemed to be happy relationships with the last one marital misery. (see his other stories).  In his old age he was appointed justice of the peace for Donegal, Mt Joy, and Rapho Townships.  He settled disputes when fights insued.  His manner of dealing with them suited the times and saved Lancaster Co. unnecessary expense. He would place the combatants on the lawn in front of his house and make them fight it out, with him acting as referee.  Sometimes in turned in and whipped both of the parties. He was an amazing man and the stuff of legends.