In my family tree there's not a shortage of bearded men. In scanning my photos on Ancestry.com I came across this gem of a photo of this man with a glorious beard. This is Lorenzo Lowden. I really didn't know very much about this man other than he was a 1st cousin 5x removed and the grandson of my DAR patriot John Loomis. So this gave me the opportunity to look into him and what a rich story!
In 1832 Lorenzo's father Orren Lowden moved to Erie Co. Pennsylvania which at that time was on the western edge of civilization. Lorenzo was born in 1833 in Pennsylvania and by the age of 14 left home to go to New York. He then settled in Minnesota where he married and had a family. During his time in Minnesota he was elected as Justice of the Peace and served for 8 years. While holding this office he studied Law under the Judge he worked with. In 1868 he and his family moved and settled in Hardin Co. Iowa. When in Iowa he engaged in farming and mercantile business and also practiced Law. He died in 1899 and is buried in Iowa Falls, Iowa. One cool fact about Lorenzo's son Frank Lowden was that he served as Illinois Governor from 1917-1920. Frank married the daughter of George Pullman who was the founder of the Pullman railroad car. Franks daughter Florence Lowden Miller was even presented to the Royal Court in 1927! That included King George and Queen Mary! How cool!
Here's another photo of his family and you can see him in the front row still with his impressive beard!
It's amazing how finding a photo of a man in my family tree simply because he has a beard can lead to Governors, Inventors, and Royalty!
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