John Harvey Lowery facts for kids

John Harvey Lowery (born October 18, 1860 – died September 25, 1941) was an important American doctor and a kind person who helped others. He lived in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. He was born in Plaquemine, Louisiana. He became a doctor and worked hard to help people in his community. He also cared a lot about education for young people.

Early Life and Education

John Harvey Lowery was born in Plaquemine, Louisiana, on October 18, 1860. He was one of nineteen children in his family. His father was a bricklayer, and his mother was a midwife.

He studied medicine at the Flint Goodridge Hospital. This hospital is now part of Dillard University. He earned his medical certificate on February 21, 1894. He received it from the New Orleans University Medical College, which is now Tulane University.

A Doctor and Community Helper

From 1894 until he passed away, Dr. Lowery practiced medicine. His office was in his unique gingerbread-style house in Louisiana Square in Donaldsonville.

He was also a successful farmer. He owned fields where he grew sugar cane and rice. These farms provided steady jobs for more than two hundred African Americans all year long.

Community Involvement

Dr. Lowery was very active in community groups called fraternal societies. These groups help people and support good causes. For many years, he was a secretary for the Odd Fellows group in Louisiana.

He also helped lead a company called Peoples Industrial Life Insurance Company. He was a stockholder and served on its board of directors. This company was in New Orleans.

Political Life

John Harvey Lowery was an active member of the Republican Party. He served on his party's State Central Committee. This committee helps guide the party's work in the state.

He was also chosen to represent Louisiana at many Republican National Conventions. These are big meetings where the party chooses its candidate for president. He attended every convention from 1884 to 1940. He saw many important political moments during these years.

Helping Young People Learn

Dr. Lowery cared deeply about education for Black youth. He started a movement to build a modern school for Black students in Ascension Parish. He gave a very generous amount of money to this project.

Because of his gift, the school was named the Lowery Training School. Today, a middle school in Donaldsonville still carries his name. He also donated land for another school. This second school was built in Modeste, a small community nearby.