Son of William W. & Melison Maxwell Lowther. 1m 10 May 1855 to Elizabeth Kelly. 2m Mary Kramer, 5 Jan 1871. His son Lloyd's obituary states that Granville Lowther was proprietor of a hotel in Middlebourne when he was growing up. It also mentioned that Granville was in the Civil War. WV Death record says Granville was a Justice of the Peace and died from Bright's Disease. (Bright's disease is an historical classification of kidney diseases that would be described in modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis.) He was a Mayor of Sistersville for several years. The 1850 census says he was an engineer. I am unsure where the title "Major" came from.

**********************
The Wheeling Daily Register, 08 Jun 1872, Monday

E. L. Stealey is appointed postmaster at Middlebourne, Tyler county West Virginia, vice G. L. Lowther resigned.

**********************
The Daily Register, Wheeling, WV, 09 Nov 1881, Wednesday

The following gentlemen attending the Grand Lodge are stopping at the St. James Hotel: ... G. L. Lowther, Sistersville ...

**********************
The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, 15 Nov 1882, Wednesday

THE M. W. GRAND LODGE
of Ancient and Accepted Free Masons of the State of West Virginia in Session, List of Representatives Present--The Committees Appointed Yesterday

All day yesterday representatives from various parts of the State to the meeting of the Grand Masonic Lodge were pouring in, and our hotels were well filled. During the day they reported to the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer at the Temple and renewed acquaintances with their brethren from all parts of the Mountain State. At 8 o'clock the Grand Annual Communication of the M. W. G. Lodge was begun in the Temple, Deputy Grand Master Flick acting in the place of Grand Master Riley, who, as before announced, has removed from the State.

....Following are the representatives of the lodges that were present:
....Phoenix No. 73, Sistersville--Granville L. Lowther, W. M......
In addition to the above named there were present a large number of visiting brethren from the local lodges. The lodge being daily opened in ample form after solemn prayer by the Grand Chaplain, the Grand Secretary proceeded to read the report that had been sent by Grand Master Riley. Following that there were read the reports of the Treasurer, Secretary, Lecturer and District Deputy Grand Masters. The reading of these reports occupied the time until after 10 o'clock. At their conclusion the Frand (sic) Lodge adjourned until 7:30 o'clock this evening, after the announcing of the following committees:
....Returns of Lodges--J. D. Weymouth, A. D. W. Strickler, J. L. Knight, W. H. Lingamfelter, J. V. Seymour, W. J. Stoneker, G. L. Lowther, W. A. Winters, John M. Collins.
....Everyone after the adjournment repaired to the banquet room, where an elegant supper was served in fine style. After supper Bales Lodge No. 33 held a communication at which work in the three degrees was done in the presence of a very large number of visiting brethren--in fact nearly all the Grand Lodge. Bates Lodge is doing big work at present.

To-day the various committees with be at work, and their reports will be submitted this evening. The election of officers will be held this evening. The reports submitted last evening indicate that the Masonic order in this State is in a very healthy and progressive condition just at present, and that there is cause for congratulation. The attendance this year is good and a cordial welcome is extended to all the Masons adjourning in our city. The Lodge will finish its work and adjourn this evening.

**********************
The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, 09 Oct 1894, Tuesday

Hon. Basil T. Bowers, of New Martinsville, is in town to-day on legal business, and is the guest of Mayor G. L. Lowther.

**********************
The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, 13 Nov 1894, Tuesday

Major G. L. Lowther, Chief of Police Kidd, J. F. Eckbert, J. C. McManus, W. H. Burns and Clint Moore were the Sistersville representatives at Wheeling Saturday.

**********************
The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, 07 Feb 1888, Tuesday

"ABE LINCOLN" CLUB

Organized at Sistersville--Delegates to the Convention.
Special Dispatch to

SISTERSVILLE, W. Va., Feb. 6 -- The Republicans of Lincoln district, Tyler county, met at Sistersville Saturday and formed an organization to be known as the "Abe Lincoln Republican Club." The club started off with 50 members, with the expectation of increasing the number to 100 or more.

After electing the following officers the club adjourned to meet Friday next to elect delegates to the club convention in Wheeling:

Major G. L. Lowther, President; A. R. Wilson, Vice President; W. C. Gordon, Secretary; Abe Cutler, Treasurer.

"We are coming, father Abraham, 300,000 strong."

**********************
Sistersville Oil Review, 21 May 1903, Thursday

NOT SMALL-POX

Mr. Magee, of the South Side, is sick. He has been examined by several doctors in this city. They are undecided as to what is the matter with him. It may be small pox and it may not. They are not yet ready to give a decided opinion. Yet, in view of the suspicious nature of the case, Major Lowther, as a member of the county health board, very wisely has caused a danger flag to be displayed in front of the house. The Review has the word of the Major that this flag is used simply as a precautionary measure, and desires to state that it is a wise one. If the case should be small pox the precaution could not be taken too quickly; if it is not, the same precaution will cause no one injury. The Review commends the Major in his action, and trusts that the public will wait until the proper medical officials have pronounced the case one of small pox before circulating the story that it is. The man is sick. He may have the small pox and he may have the chicken-pox. When medical skill determines what he has, the Review will make the announcement in accordance with the facts. In the mean time, the flag is simply a precautionary measure rightly used by the county board of health.

**********************
The Sistersville Oil Review, 25 Sep 1903, Friday

For Sale -- Seven room house and lot -- New House with all modern improvements. Cash or payments. Inquire G. L. Lowther.

**********************
The Sistersville Oil Review, 16 Nov 1903, Monday

House and lot for sale. Call at G. L. Lowther's office, 210 Diamond street.

**********************
The Sistersville Oil Review, 25 Feb 1904, Thursday.

House and lot for sale. Inquire G. L. Lowther.

**********************
The Sistersville Oil Review, 18 Apr 1904, Monday

G. L. LOWTHER IS A CANDIDATE

Our present Justice of the Peace, G. L. Lowther, is again a candidate for re-election to this office. Mr. Lowther is well known to our people. He is one of the oldest Justices in the county, and has always given entire satisfaction. He is always at his office ready to attend to the duties of his office, is fair and impartial, and has made an excellent officer. He thanks the public for this office which they have given him in the past, and asks for re-election again this fall, and promises, if nominated and elected, to continue to fill the office to the best of his skill and judgment. This is an important office and an experienced officer should be retained where it is practicable to do so. Mr. Lowther is a man now well versed in the law, is honest, industrious and a good citizen and officer.

**********************
The Sistersville Oil Review, 18 Apr 1904, Monday

Please Announce
G. L. Lowther,
As a Candidate for
Justice of the Peace,
For Lincoln District,
Subject to Republican Primary.

**********************
The Sistersville Oil Review, 16 Mar 1905, Thursday

FOR BIDS FOR NEW M. E. CHURCH.

Bids for the material and work on the new M. E. church will be received until Thursday, March 30th, 1905, at 3 p.m., on that day by G. L. Lowther at his office on Diamond street, near City building. Plans and specifications can be seen at the said office of G. L. Lowther

**********************
Sistersville paper? June 24, 1908

GOOD CITIZEN PASSES AWAY

Granville L. Lowther Died at His Home on Railroad Avenue This Morning at 3:20—Was Confined to His Bed Only Few Days—He Was Seventy-four Years Old on First day of Present Month.

**********************
A gloom of sadness prevailed throughout the entire city this morning when it became generally known Justice of the Peace Granville L. Lowther was dead. His late illness was of short duration, as he was confined to his bed but a few days. The end came this morning at 3:20 o'clock, when the patient succumbed to kidney affliction. Deceased was 74 years and 23 days old.

Mr. Lowther was born in Ritchie County [WV] on June 1, 1834, and located in Tyler County [WV] in 1853. He filled many offices of trust, and at the time of his death he was justice of the peace of Lincoln District, his office being on Diamond Street. Mr. Lowther was a very conscientious and efficient officer, and filled the important office for a period of seventeen years. He was also president of the Board of Education of Lincoln District, and was assessor of Sistersville two terms and mayor two years. Mr. Lowther held captain's and major's commissions in the state militia under Governor A.I. Boreman, on different occasions during his term of office. Mr. Lowther was a resident of Middlebourne, the county seat of this county, previous to locating in this city, where he was twice postmaster. In early boyhood he identified himself with the M.E. Church, and always took an active part in the cause of religion. He was a prominent Mason, having joined the Middlebourne Lodge in 1867. He was a past Master and was a charter member of the Phoenix Lodge. . . Lowther located in Sistersville. . . and for several years was engaged in the saddlery and harness business. He was a good citizen and held in high esteem. He was of the progressive type of citizens, ever ready to assist any legitimate cause for the betterment and advancement of the city's interest and general welfare.

Mr. Lowther was twice married; the second wife's maiden name was Miss Mary Cramer [Kramer]. By the first union three children were born, all of whom have passed to the Great Beyond except one son, Lloyd A., who is superintendent of the public schools of Emporia, Kan. By the last union there were two children, Mr. Bertie and Miss Florence. Widow and latter children still survive.

The arrangements for the funeral have not been completed. The date of it will be announced in tomorrow evening's Review.

**********************
OBSEQUIES OF THE LATE GRANVILLE L. LOWTHER

Arrangements for the obsequies of the late Granville L. Lowther were arranged by the family this morning. The hour set for the services is 2 o'clock Friday afternoon, and will be held at the M.E. Church on Main Street. Rev. Daniel Westfall, pastor of the church, will officiate. At the conclusion of the services at the church the Masonic fraternity will take charge of the ceremonies. Interment will be made at Oakwood Cemetery.

**********************
The Daily Telegram, Clarksburg, WV, 29 Jun 1908, Monday

Granville L. Lowther, an aged and prominent resident of Sistersville, died after an illness of some time.

**********************
The Chase County [KS] Leader, 10 Jul 1908, Friday

L. A. Lowther returned yesterday from Cleveland, where he has been attending the annual session of the N. E. A. Mr. Lowther has been gone for several weeks. He was called to Sistersville, W. Va., by the serious sickness of his father, but before he arrived his father died. After remaining at his old home a short time and being there for his father's funeral, he stopped on his way home at Cleveland.--Emporia [KS] Gazette

**********************
Granville L. Lowther in the U.S., Register of Civil, Military, and Naval Service, 1863-1959

Name: Granville L. Lowther
Residence Date: 30 Sep 1871
Station or Residence Place: Tyler
Year: 1871
Title: Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval in the Service of the United States
Volume: Volume 1

**********************
Note: the WV marriage record lists his birth location as Wood Co rather than Ritchie Co.:

Tyler County, WV, 1855 Marriage Records

Grandville L. Lowther, 20, Wood Co/VA, 10 May 1855
[Parents] William W. & Melison
Elizabeth Kelly, 23, Tyler Co/VA

**********************
Granville L Lowther in the U.S., Appointments of U. S. Postmasters, 1832-1971

Name: Granville L Lowther
Post Office Location: Middlebourne, Tyler, West Virginia
Appointment Date: 17 Jul 1866
Volume #: 23
Volume Year Range: 1857-1867

**********************
West Virginia, Deaths Index, 1853-1973 about G. L. Lowther

Name: G. L. Lowther
Birth Date: abt 1834
Birth Place: Sistersville, Tyler, West Virginia
Death Date: 29 Jan 1908
Death Place: West Virginia
Death Age: 74
Occupation: Justice
Race: White
Marital Status: Married
Gender: Male
FHL Film Number: 850568