W. W. LOWDERMILK, Auburn, Illinois, was born in North Carolina on the 10th day of August, 1843, is the son of William and Lorinda (Laws) Lowdermilk, father of German descent and mother of Scotch. They emigrated from North Carolina to East Tennessee, when the subject of this sketch was a child and remained there on a farm until he was thirteen years old, when they moved to Macoupin county, in 1858. He remained on a farm with his parents until he was sixteen, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and fourteenth Regiment Illinois volunteers, Co. B., under Captain Furguson, mustered in at Springfield, August 6th, 1862. He participated in several engagements, the first being at Holly Springs, also Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Siege and capture of Vicksburg, and battles of Jackson, Miss. In June following, went on expedition against General Forrest and at an engagement at Guntown was wounded in the left arm, which caused the loss of that member. He was a prisoner in Macon and Andersonville for about ten months, where he suffered all the privations of those horrid pens. After being exchanged at Vicksburg came home and attended school, and in the Fall of 1865, married Miss Elizabeth Roberts, by this marriage there are two children, Hattie and Arthur. In 1866 was appointed deputy post master, and in March, 1867, received the appointment under Johnson's administration. During this time he established the Auburn Herald, the first newspaper published in Auburn, which he edited and published for about six months, at which time the paper passed into the hands of Mr. Wadsworth, the present owner and editor. Retiring from the post office, Mr. Lowdermilk concluded to go West and settle, but not liking the out look returned to Springfield. In 1881, Mr. L. received the appointment of Assistant Private Secretary to Governor Cullom, which office he now fills.