Lyman, W. D. "An Illustrated History of Walla Walla County, State of
Washington."  W. H. Lever, Publisher, 1901.  p. 324.
 
FRANCIS M. LOWDEN

     a farmer and stock raiser, a pioneer of 1862, was born in Boone county,
Kentucky, February 7, 1832. He resided there and in Brown county, Illinois,
until 1849, then crossed the plains on horseback in a party of four, the
travelers conveying their effects in a light wagon drawn by four horses. He went
to Sacramento, thence to Downieville, where he followed placer mining for a
season, thence to Nevada City. In the fall of 1851 he returned to Sacramento,
invested the proceeds of his successful mining ventures in mules, and engaged in
packing, a business to which his energies were given for the ensuing twenty-one
years. His train conveyed freight into various parts of California, Nevada,
Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Montana. He was frequently in grave danger of
losing his mules on account of the hostile bands of Indians, who were on
marauding expeditions throughout the country, but by dint of continual
watchfulness he managed to avoid loss, standing guard himself, never trusting
hired help for this duty and never allowing fires to be built near the herd.
     In 1878 Mr. Lowden sold his packing outfit, settled between Walla Walla and
Wallula, and engaged in the business of raising and dealing in cattle. In 1880
he lost about ninety per cent of his herds, but he, nevertheless, came to this
valley, where he already had some property, and bought up about five thousand
acres, with a view to engaging in the business again on a large scale. By means
of ditches he brought water into every field of this vast tract, and before long
he had an excellent stock ranch. This land is still in the family, being owned
by the Lowden Company, a firm incorporated for the purpose of rearing cattle,
horses, sheep and hogs. They have imported many costly thoroughbreds, sparing no
expense in the effort to secure the best stock.
     Mr. Lowden has been a very active, enterprising man, possessed of the
courage, fortitude and resourcefulness characteristic of the true pioneer, and
of a degree of business ability seldom given to men. Notwithstanding his large
private interests he has always found time to perform well his duties as a
citizen and member of society. He served as county commissioner for seven years,
was a member of the State Penitentiary Board, which built the third wing and the
outbuildings, stables, etc., of the penitentiary, and in spite of opposition
succeeded, with the help of others, in building a jute mill here and making it a
success. He has also discharged his duty to the cause of education by serving as
director for ten years. His fraternal affiliations are with Walla Walla Lodge,
No. 7, F. & A. M. He was married in May, 1868, to Miss Mary E. Noon, a native of
New Orleans, Louisiana, reared in California. They have three children: Marshall
J., president and business manager of the firm; Francis M., Jr., stock manager;
and Hettie Irene, with her parents.


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Submitted to the Washington Bios. Project in February 2009 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.