Johann Matthias Lower Jr. (abt. 1766 - 1841)

Born about 20 Oct 1766 in Manheim Township, York, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Arner) Lower — married 1799 in Pennsylvania, USA

Descendants

Died 25 Mar 1841 at about age 74 in Fairfield Twp., Columbiana, Ohio, USA

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Biography

In the History of Columbiana County, Ohio: with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and Pioneers by Horace Mack Published by D.W. Ensign & Co., Philadelphia (1879) at Page 27 The first court session held in Columbiana County, was of the Supreme Court, on 14 June, 1803, and was held "at the house of Matthias Lower" in the Fairfield township (probably in his log barn)

The first session of the Court of Common Pleas was held on July 26, 1803, and was also held at the house of Matthias Lower.

On the 6th of September, 1803, the court held another session at the house of Matthias Lower, and levied taxes on five townships.

Later, they authorized the building of a proper courthouse, at Massilon.

• Note with burial info:

Matthias Lower, native of Md came to Ohio from Westmoreland Co Pa in 1799. Married Elizabeth Arner - had six sons, George, Elias, John, Jacob, David and Henry, and two daughters, Catherine and Elizabeth. He built a home Section 23 (see tablet on the rock in the roadside park on Route 7, about one mile north of Middleton)

He is believed to have been the first permanent settler in what later became Fairfield Township, possibly as early as 1799. The first Columbiana County court was held in his barn on 10 March 1803. [Reference from page 027, History of Columbiana County, Ohio, Horace Mack, published by D.W. Ensign & Company, Philadelphia, 1879. Another reference from page 138, same book.] [Reference from page 071, History of Columbiana County, Ohio, Harold B. Barth, published by Historical Publishing Company, Topeka (Kansas) and Indianapolis (Indiana), 1926.]

Matthias Lauer's tombstone has been found in the oldest part of Columbiana Cemetery, but since that cemetery was not founded until 1868, it is not known if body itself was moved or just the stone.

Last named changed from Lauer to Lower in documents written by others, however, his name is still Mathias Lauer on his tombstone, so I don't think that he ever changed his name.

Sources

• 1820 US Census for Fairfield, Columbiana, OH
• 1830 US Census for Fairfield, Columbiana Co., OH
• 1840 US Census for Fairfield, Columbiana Co., OH

• Find A Grave Index Find A Grave: Memorial #5323806

Shows: Name: Johann Mathias Lauer, Jr Birth Date: 20 Oct 1766 Birth Place: Maryland, USA Death Date: 25 Mar 1841 (aged 74) Death Place: Columbiana County, Ohio, USA Cemetery: Columbiana Cemetery Columbiana, Columbiana County, Ohio, USA PLOT Old Section 1 Row 15

• Headstone Inscription:

"Zum Andenken von Mathias Lauer iht geborhren October 20ten 1766, und gestorben Marz 25ten 1841, brachte sein alter auf 74 Jahr 5 Monat und 5 Tag. Leichen sers sreht Dssenb John 14 Cob 13 Vers Gelig find dre Zoden ufm."

• Picture of Headstone in Tim Culler's collection.

• He is also named as the father of Catherine Lower, in her burial information.