Updated 23 August 1999

From original research of Dodie E. Browning, and Kim Haynes.
Narrative written by Dodie E. Browning

Copyright 1999- All rights reserved

Lewis S. Steele was born in December, 1832 or 1833 in Tazewell County, Virginia, the son of Ralph A. and Levicy (Ferrell) Steele. He moved with his family to Logan County, (W) Virginia circa 1840, when he was about seven years old. He grew up on Island Creek in Logan County.

On 3 September, 1854, he married Charlotte "Lotty" Smith, the daughter of Ali Smith and Sarah (Varney) Smith. Sarah Varney had been married previously to John Taylor. Ali Smith was a preacher (I believe he was Baptist, but this needs to be verified.) The Smiths lived at Pond Creek in Pike County, Kentucky.

Lewis Steele and Lotty were hard to trace because they moved frequently. They were in Logan County (W) VA. when the 1860 Census was taken, There were no children shown in their household in 1860. They may have been living with relatives in Pike County KY. Lewis and Lotty were not in Logan County WV by 1870. They were in Pike County KY in 1880 and then back in Logan County WV by 1900. I did not trace them after that time, Lewis did inherit land when his father died in 1886. They were living in the East Chapmanville District in Logan County in 1900. That census showed that five of their six children were living. From Kim's research, we now know that Cora was already married and living in KY when Lewis and Lotty were shown on the Logan County Census in 1900.

The children listed below are from the various census records, with the only information on Cora (Steele) and Mont Lowe, being from the research of Kim Haynes. More work needs to be done to document some of the other children. They may have had a daughter Nancy, born 1857 who married Henry B. Whitman in Logan County 29 September 1879, but I have not verified this.

1. Mary E. Steele, born circa 1864
2. Thomas Beverly Steele, born 1871
3. John Steele , born 1873
4. Fannie Steele, born circa 1876
5. Cora Lea Steele, born 1882; died 1937; married B. Monterville "Mont" Lowe, born 1887, died 1958.

(All the following information from Kim's notes) Marriage Notes for Cora Steele and B.Monterville Lowe:
In the 1900 Pike Co., Ky census, Cora age 18, birthdate March 1882, and "Mont B." her husband, age 23, birthdate march 1877 They were in the household of George and Millie Lowe. Cora's relationship to the head of household is listed as d/l and m - 0 is next to her name and Mont B's. Married 0 years, so they were married within the census year. Census date is June 1900.

Children of Cora Steele and B.Monterville Lowe are:
5(1)Elsie Lowe, born Abt. 1901.
5(2)Lottie May Lowe, born Abt. 1903.
5(3)George Ray Lowe, born Abt. 1905.
5(4)Annie Kate Lowe, born 1908-1909.
5(6). Woodrow Lowe, born 12 Apr 1912 (Source: Minutes of the Union Association of the Old Regular Baptist Church [from Gloria Giadella], LOWE, Woodrow b: Apr 12 1912 d: Jan 27 1972, s/o B.M. and Cora Lee (Stole)[correct to Steele] Lowe md: Matilda PINSON May 19 1936, one daughter, Linda Lou, also leaving 3 brothers: Lat of Forest Hills, Ky; Walker and James of Columbus, OH; 3 sisters: Mrs. Katie Jimmerson of Barboursville, WVA; Mrs. Mona Ayersman of Dunbar, WVA and Mrs. Blanche Lowe of Columbus, OH; two grandchildren, Rhonda and Pamela Jane. Member of the Old Regular Baptist Church for 15 years.); died 27 Jan 1972.
5(7)Mona Lowe, born Abt. 1915.
5(8)Walker Lowe, born Abt. Aug 1917.
5(9)Blanche Lowe, born Abt. Oct 1918.

In 1900, they had a grandson named John (shown as a Steele, born circa 1891) living with them.

(from Kim's research) Charlotte Steele was living in the household of B.Mont Lowe and Cora Lea (Steele) Lowe in the 1910 Pike County KY. Census. She is listed as mother -in-law to head of household, 73 years old, a widow, 6 children born, 6 living. KY VA KY.

This verifies that Lewis Steele died sometime between 1900 -1910. Since he is not in the same cemetery as Lotty, he more than likely died in Logan County WV, and Lotty apparently went to live with her youngest daughter, where she obviously remained until she died.

Thomas Beverly Steele, according to Becky, his descendant, married first to Louemma Collins and they had two children,
2(1) Lee Roy Steele , born 1899 in what is present day Mingo County, WVA. and Becky's grandmother,
2(2) Mabel Ruth Steele, born 1902.

Becky first contacted me on January 29, 1999 and with what she was able to tell me and what I could piece together from my own research, and with updated information from Kim Haynes, Becky's grandmother now has an entire family that she never knew! Becky is the process of writing the rest of her story to be added it to this Christmas Homecoming project.

Happy Birthday Jesus- You are the reason!

Be sure to visit Kim Haynes excellent website
My Eastern Kentucky LOWE Family