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Sylvester Low is leading a
life of diligence and well directed business activity in Cardston, where
he is manager of the Cardston Creamery. He was born in Afton, Wyoming,
on the 6th of April, 1890, a son of Sylvester and Mary (Smith) Low.
Sylvester Low, the father, was born in Scotland, on the 12th of March,
1836, a son of William and Jane Low. His father was a weaver by trade
and he spent his life in Scotland. Sylvester Low, Sr., received his
education in the schools of his birthplace and in due time learned
milling, becoming an apprentice in an oatmeal mill. Glowing reports of
the United States having reached his ears, he determined to come to
America and he landed in this country on the 22d of May, 1855. He went
direct to Salt Lake City, Utah, arriving there on the 13th of November,
making the trip overland with oxen, Mr. Low had joined the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scotland and he spent his first
winter at West Jordan and Salt Lake. From 1857 to 1860 he operated flour
mills in both places and in 1860 he established mills at Millville and
Providence. He assisted in the settlement of Bear Lake and later removed
to Smithfield, where he operated mills and also conducted a store from
1866 to 1879. He was very successful as a general merchant and upon
leaving Smithfield he disposed of the business at a substantial profit.
He was engaged in milling in Richmond until 1880, when he accepted a
position on a construction train as bookkeeper, serving in that capacity
in Montana for some time. Returning to Utah in 1882, he resumed milling,
thus continuing until 1886, when he went to Scotland on a mission. While
there he obtained forty-seven thousand names of ancestors of his and
other families in the Cache valley. In 1889 he returned to Utah and
worked in various places until removing to Freedom, Wyoming, where he
operated a mill and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1892 he came to
Alberta and located at what is now Cardston. He bought considerable
railroad land and he operated the first grist mill here and resided on
his well improved homestead near Cardston. For some time Mr. Low
conducted a butcher shop and he was stake tithing clerk here. lie was a
splendid business man, with an aptitude for figures. lie was a well
educated man for his day and during his residence in Wyoming taught
school for a time.
Sylvester Low, Sr., was
twice married. His first wife was Ann Patten, a native of Scotland,
whose demise occurred at Smithfield, Utah. To their union fourteen
children were born: Jacob 0. died in infancy; James R. is deceased;
Sylvester is a resident of Smithfield; Osborne is residing in Wyoming;
William is a resident of Cardston; Anna is the wife of Robert Reed of
Smithfield, Utah; Janet is the wife of Alfred Erickson of Smithfield;
Lydia G. is the wife of George Nelson of Smithfield; Lorena M. is the
wife of Joseph Richardson of Salt Lake; Sylvia is the wife of Junius
Jensen of Preston, Idaho; Jane died in infancy; Charles D. is deceased;
Millicent is the wife of Oliver Nielson; and one died in infancy. Some
time after the death of his first wife Mr. Low was again married, Miss
Mary Smith of Smithfield, a daughter of Nathan and Jane Smith, becoming
his wife. Her father was a native of England and is a prominent farmer
and stock raiser. To the second union seven children have been born:
Mary Jane is the wife of Thomas Anderson of Cardston; Sylvester is a
resident of Cardston; Joseph S. is engaged in the garage business in
Cardston; Sterling 0. is connected with the Beaver Lumberyard; Brigham
Y. is engaged in farming near Cardston; Edwin L., who is teaching school
at Kimball, is a veteran of the World war, having served with the
Forty-seventh Infantry overseas, lie was in the front line trenches
twenty-eight days and was severely gassed; and Mabel M. is the wife of
Alexander Glenn of Cardston, a successful rancher. Sylvester Low, Sr.,
died on the 17th of May, 1908. lie was holding the position of state
tithing clerk at the time of his death. He was public- spirited and
served as justice of the peace for many years.
In the acquirement of his
education Sylvester Low, whose name introduces this review, attended the
public schools of Cardston and at an early age entered the business
world. He held various positions and was clerk of the H. S. Allen
Company for a time. In August, 1910, he went to Europe and visited
Utrecht, Armsterdam and the home of the former Kaiser of Germany, being
on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In
1913 he returned to America and operated the Pioneer elevator for one
year. Subsequently he accepted the position of manager of the Thomee
Store at \Voolford and he was active in that connection until April,
1917, when he became manager of the Cardston Creamery Association, which
was organized under the Alberta Dairymen's Act, and he is now also
secretary-treasurer of the association. Mr. Low has proven himself equal
to the many duties devolving upon him and he manifests those qualities
which entitle him to the respect and esteem of his fellow townsmen.
Aside from his business interests Mr. Low is actively engaged in stock
raising. He owns some fine Holstein cattle, some of which he has
imported from Ontario and Calgary.
Mr. Low married Miss
Blanche Olson, a native of Snowville, Utah, and to their union two
children have been born: Denver and DeLamar, both residing at home. Mr.
Low is president of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association and
he is a chorister in the Sunday school. He is a member of the school
board and gives his aid in the furtherance of any movement for the
benefit of the community. What time he can spare from his business he
devotes to the church. |
