Civil War Pension File of Melvin Lowry

WC 733.198
Unit: Company I, 2nd Regiment, Kansas Cavalry Volunteers
Enrolled: 23 August 1862 at Oskaloosa, Kansas
Discharged: 22 June 1865 at Leavenworth, Arkansas
Physical Description: height, 5 feet 11 inches; complexion, light; hair, light; eyes, blue.

Documents:

(1) Report of Assistant Adjutant General – 22 Aug 1867 – Washington, D.C.
The rolls on file in this office show that Melvin Lowry was enrolled on 23 August 1862 at Oskaloosa, Kansas, in Co. I, 2nd Regiment, Kansas Cavalry Volunteers for 3 years or during the war.  He was mustered into service as a blacksmith on 13 August 1863 at Cassville, Missouri in Company I, 2nd Regiment, Kansas Cavalry Volunteers.  On the muster Roll of Company I, dated 10 Jan 1865, he is reported Blacksmith, mustered out with the Company 22 June 1865 at Leavenworth, Arkansas.  No evidence of disability.

(2) Declaration for an Original Invalid Pension – 24 Jun 1880 – Jefferson Co, Kansas
Melvin Lowry, aged 54, states he is the identical Melvin Lowry who enrolled on 22 July 1862 in Company I, 2nd regiment of Kansas Cavalry commanded by Captain B. P. Ayres.  He was honorably discharged 10 Jun 1865 at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory.  Personal description: age 54; height 5 feet 11 inches; complexion, light; hair, light; eyes, blue.

While in the line of duty at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, on or about 1 June 1865, he was injured in the left eye by being struck by a scale of hot iron while at work in the Government “Shope” at that place.  That he has been “compeled” to give up the trade of Blacksmithing on account of said injury and has been “compeled” to resort to other callings for a “livelyhood,” being totally deprived of following his calling or trade in which he was engaged at the time of enlistment.

Since leaving the service he has resided in Jefferson County, Kansas, and his occupation has been that of a farmer.  Prior to his enlistment he was a man of good, sound, physical health, being a blacksmith.  He is now partially disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor.  His residence is Rock Creek Township, Jefferson Co, Kansas and his Post Office is Meriden, Kansas.

Witnesses: D. H. Morse and I. Southward, both of Oskaloosa City

(3) Report of Assistant Adjutant General – 9 Apr 1881 – Washington, D.C.
The rolls of Company I show Melvin Lowry enrolled 23 Aug 1862 at Oskaloosa.
31 Aug 1862 to 31 Dec 1862, present; 28 Feb 1863, present, sick; 30 Apr 1863, absent on detached service; 30 Jun 1863, present; 31 Aug 1863, absent on detached service; 30 Apr 1864, present; 30 Jun 1864, absent on detached service; similar report to 31 Aug 1864.  Transferred to Co. C, same regiment.  Mar & Apr 1865, present.  Muster out Roll of Company dated 22 Jun 1865 reports him among those mustered out on that date with remark, on escort duty to Kansas since 4 Jun 1865.  The records of this office furnish no evidence of alleged injury.

(4) Drop Order – 25 Oct 1911 – Washington, D.C.
Melvin Lowry died 13 Oct 1911 so was dropped from the rolls.

(5) Standard Certificate of Death
Place of Death: Meriden, Rock Creek twp, Jefferson Co, Kansas
Date of Birth: 6 Nov 1825
Occupation: retired farmer
Place of Birth: Columbus, Indiana
Father: Thomas Loury, born Scotland
Mother: Elizabeth Durbin, born Kentucky
Date of Death: 13 Oct 1911
Cause of Death: Pneumonia, following an injury to chest and abdomen by falling down on bucket three weeks ago.  General debility started in Army.  Signed R. A. Taylor, M.D.
Length of Residence: 18 years – In the state 55 years.
Place of Burial: Meriden Cemetery, Meriden, Kansas
Date of Burial: 15 Oct 1911

(6) Declaration for Widow’s Pension: Acts of 27 Jun 1890 and 9 May 1900 – 16 Oct 1911 – Jefferson Co, Kansas

Elisabeth A. Lowry, aged 79, resident of Meriden, Jefferson Co, Kansas, declares she is the widow of Melvin Lowry who enlisted 23 Aug 1862 as a blacksmith in Company I, 2nd Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, and honorably discharged 22 Jun 1865.  He died 13 Oct 1911.   He also served in Company C, being transferred there from Company I.

She was married under the name of Elizabeth A. Carlton to Melvin Lowry on 2 Apr 1859 by W.E. Johnson, M.G., at DeWitt Co, Illinois.  She had not previously been married.  Her husband, Melvin Lowry, had been married to Emily Knight, who died in 1856.

Melvin Lowry was pensioned under Certificate #187.108.

Her Post Office address is Meriden, Jefferson Co, Kansas.

Elizabeth signed with a mark.  Witnesses: George W. Lowry of Meriden, Kansas, and Mrs. Eva Beveridge of Russell, Kansas.  Attest: Mrs. C. L. Shank and B.F. Newton.

(7) Certificate of Record of Marriage – 27 Feb 1909 – Clinton, DeWitt Co, Illinois
Melvin Lowry was married to Elizabeth A. Carlton, 2 Apr 1859 by W. E. Johnson, M.G.

(8) Drop Notice – Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions
Elizabeth A. Lowry, widow of Melvin Lowry, Certificate #733.198, pensioned under the Act of 1 May 1920, last paid at $30 a month to 4 May 1922, dropped from the roll because of death 19 May 1922.

Compiled Service Record, Melvin Lowry, Blacksmith, Company I & C, 2nd Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, File Designation WC 733.198, National Archives, Washington D.C.