Founding Families Of Long Beach
Lowe, William Wallace and Belle (McKee)
He was one of the men responsible for the early developement of Long Beach. Born in Ohio in 1843, he came to California in 1883. The following year he came to what is now Long Beach. He opened the first store and then went into real estate and insurance. He was the first Postmaster, being appointed by President Cleveland in 1885. The present W.W. Lowe Building stands on the site occupied by his store, also the location of the first post office. He married Belle McKee. Mrs. Lowe is credited with naming the city at a meeting of the citizen held for this purpose. She proposed the name Long Beach since the beach was 10 miles long. She was instrumental in getting the first school in Long Beach. They already had two children, Ethel M. (Lowe) Schattman, who died in 1899 and La Verne E. Wife of Colonel Charles L. Heartwell of Long Beach. Mr. & Mrs. Lowe were also survived by a grandson, Max Schattman Lowe.
From Official Souvenir Program, Long Beach, Ca.
Diamond Jubilee, November 1st Through 30th, 1963
Courtesy of Historical Soiety of Long Beach
Donated by The Southern California Genealogical Society
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft
March 2008
Los Angeles Family ~ Family Index ~ Archive Index
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