FRANK O. LOWDEN, Oregon, Governor (Republican), was born in Sunrise, Minn., January 26, 1861; moved to Hardin county, Iowa, in 1868, and taught school there for five years, beginning in his fifteenth year. He graduated from the Iowa State University in 1885, from the University College of Law (now Northwestern) in 1887, being valedictorian of his class in each institution. For several years he was president of the Alumni Association and trustee of the Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and Knox College, Galesburg. He was law clerk in the office of Dexter, Herrick & Allen, Chicago, and in 1898 he formed the partnership of Lowden, Estabrook & Davis. His law practice was extensive and varied and he was considered one of the most successful trial lawyers. He occupied the chair of Federal Jurisprudence in the Northwestern Law School. Lowden Hall was named after him for his services there. He purchased Hemenway Farm, now Sinnissippi Farm, on Rock River near Oregon, in 1900. He was candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor at the famous deadlock convention in 1904 and was defeated on the seventy-ninth ballot Charles S. Deneen being nominated. He served as Republican National Committeeman for Illinois and member of the executive body of National Committee from 1904 to 1912, and served as a member of Congress from the Thirteenth District from 1906 to 1911, when he retired on account of ill health. He was nominated for Governor on the Republican ticket in 1916 with a large plurality, and elected by an overwhelming majority. He was married to Miss Florence Pullman, daughter of George M. Pullman, April 29, 1896. They have four children, one son and three daughters.

Source: Blue Book of the State of Illinois: 1917-1918