Dennis Lowrey and Mary E. Dwyer

Dennis Lowrey and his wife Mary E. Dwyer arrived in Worcester, MA sometime in 1884; Dennis first appears in the city directory (published in January every year) in 1885, and so had probably already been living in the city for some months. They first arrived in the US in Rhode Island, where their eldest son -- and second child -- was born at Woonsocket in 1883.

Dennis was born in Co. Tipperary, and we assume that Mary probably was, as well. Dennis was the son of John Lowrey and Mary Spillane, according to his death certificate; Mary's parents were Michael Dwyer and Catherine Conlin.

When Dennis and Mary emigrated from Ireland, they left behind their eldest child, Margaret, with their parents in Ireland. Dennis and Mary apparently intended for Margaret to eventually follow them, but (according to family memories) her grandparents were reluctant to allow a small child to travel across the Atlantic and so she remained in Ireland.

This was undoubtedly a very difficult and emotional situation for the family; Mary told census enumerators in both 1900 and 1910 that she had had eight children but that one had died, rather than say that her child was not living with them in the US.

The Lowreys lived at several residences in Worcester. They rented first 120 Prescott Street (1885), then at #9 Milton Street (1900) before moving to 155 Lincoln Street (1910 and 1920).

From his arrival in Worcester, Dennis worked at the American Steel & Wire Company, where his son William also was employed for a while. He retired around 1917, according to his obituary. One of Dennis and Mary's grandchildren remembered that her grandfather was a kindly man who always had a bit of candy in his coat pocket for the grandkids.

Dennis Lowrey (b. 12 February 1857, Ireland - d. 25 October 1921, Worcester, MA)
m. ca 1880, Ireland
Mary E. Dwyer (b. January 1858, Ireland - d. 26 January 1919, Worcester, MA)
Children:
i. Margaret Lowrey (b. ca 1881, Ireland - d. bet 1921/61, prob. Ireland); m. Joseph Mulkern
ii. John Lowrey (b. 7 Jun 1883, Woonsocket, Providence, RI - d. bet 1921/61)
iii. Mary Agnes Lowrey (b. 2 May 1885, Worcester, MA - d. 4 Mar 1961, Worcester, MA); m. John F. Houlihan
iv. Katherine Theresa ("Kitty") Lowrey (b. 4 Nov 1887, Worcester, MA - d. Jul 1977, Hanover, MA)
v. Helen V. ("Nellie") Lowrey (b. 26 MAr 1890, Worcester, MA - d. bet 1921/61); m. George [last name unknown]
vi. William ("Bill") Lowrey (b. 21 Mar 1892, Worcester, MA - d. 1953, Worcester, MA); m. Mae [unknown]
vii. Elizabeth G. ("Lily" or "Millie") Lowrey (b. May 1894, Worcester, MA - d. May 1980); m. Edmund Surprenant
viii. Josephine ("Josie") Lowrey (b. Jun 1899, Worcester, MA - d. 1935, Boston, MA)