In Search of . . . Newton Vorice Lowe
The grandchildren of the man we know
as Newton Vorice Lowe
have for years been seeking information on his family history. This man seems to have appeared in Van Buren County Iowa from thin air sometime in early 1905. Traditional efforts at genealogical research have led nowhere.
It is our hope, that through the Internet Community, someone doing genealogical research from another direction will "find us" through our grandfather's parents and siblings.
Following are bits and pieces of what little is "thought" to be "fact" as well as certain assumptions or clues that may or may not prove valid. Should anyone visiting this site have any knowledge of this man or his family . . . PLEASE let us hear from you.
Mystery Solved Aug 2009! . . . check back later for details. [hint: his name was not LOWE]
Apparent Facts [prior to Aug 2009]:
Birth Date: October 1, 1875
Source: verbal and various documents authored by Newton Lowe..Birth Place: Buffalo, NY?
Source: Marriage Application, Iowa Dept. of Health Vital Records Div.
Or Indiana?: Birthplace listed as Indiana in 1910, 1920, 1930 Federal & 1925 Iowa Census as well as some other records. Unable to locate on earlier census records.Father's Name: J. A. Lowe
Source: Marriage Application, Iowa Dept. of Health Vital Records Div.
Note: Father listed as John Lowe per . . . his Social Security card application.Mother's Maiden Name: Sarah Johnson
Source: Marriage Application, Iowa Dept. of Health Vital Records Div.
Note: Mother listed as Sadie Johnson per . . . his Social Security card application. 1925 Iowa Census shows Newton's mother as Martha Jones!Married: April 8, 1905 to Carrie Maude Rockefellow in Van Buren Co. IA
Source: Marriage Application, Iowa Dept. of Health Vital Records Div.
Assumptions and Clues:
Indiana Roots
Was always thought by family members that he came from Indiana. He had said he "worked in Lafayette" but lived elsewhere. Birthplace listed as Indiana in all Census records found thus far as well as some other records. News article at time of marriage said he was from Lafayette, IN.National Origin
Was he a Canadian? Buffalo, NY is located near the Canadian border. Said to have served in Boer War. U.S. was not involved. Canadians were.Baseball Player
Was said to have been a baseball player of significant talents. He came to Van Buren Co. Iowa as a semi-pro baseball player for the specific purpose of playing for the local Bonaparte Indians baseball club. May have came to Bonaparte from Keokuk, IA.See Photo 1
Continued to play baseball on local "town teams" at least until 1914 at age 39.
Boer War or Spanish American War
Told his grandson many times of his serving in the South African "Boer War" (1899-1902). (1925 and 1930 Census says Sp. Amer War) Was he possibly as part of a medical unit? Or was he a cook? Or both? He did not serve in World War I but did fill out a Draft Registration Card. This version of the card, unlike some others, did not list his parents or birthplace.Occupation
Arrived to community in early 1900's with occupation of house painter, paper hanger and cook. Known to have been a cook in a restaurant and for the railroad. However, gave hints of a medical background. See cook link.Aunt Victoria
Newton Lowe's only daughter was name Lillian Victoria Lowe. Lillian understood that Newton had either a sister or aunt named Victoria.Other Names
Newton's three sons and one daughter had names that did not originate from his wife's side of the family. Did they perhaps have a basis in his past? His sons: Vorice *Churchill Lowe; Percy Earl Lowe, Elvin Hall Lowe; his daughter Lillian Victoria mentioned above. [*Winston Churchill was in Boer War]Vorice (Voris; Vorhees; Voorhees; Vohris, etc.)
Was his middle name "Vorice" the same as another family members last name? Perhaps his paternal grandmother's name or maternal grandparents? Was his own "real" last name Vorice or a variation?Ostracized?
Newt had a drinking problem all of his life. He never, never spoke of his early life or relatives. It was expressed by some that they thought he was from a prominent family and was ostracized for his drinking habits.
