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Lowe, Anna Sheerin (1861–1933)

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Black and white photograph of Anna Sheerin Lowe, ca. 1895–1900.

Anna Sheerin Lowe, ca. 1895–1900.

Anna Sheerin Lowe became Murray County's first female sheriff (and the second female sheriff in the state of Minnesota) when the Murray County Commissioners appointed her to fill her husband’s unexpired term in 1923. Faced with the difficulty of enforcing Prohibition laws, Lowe fulfilled her duties as sheriff and won the respect and gratitude of the community for her three years of service.

Anna Margaret Sheerin was born to Irish immigrants John and Anna Sheerin on March 15, 1861. From her birthplace near Waseca, Minnesota, she moved west with her family to Murray County when she was eight years old. There she grew to adulthood and at the age of nineteen married James “Jim” Lowe, a thirty-one-year-old Scots Canadian recently arrived in the area.

After their August 2, 1880, wedding, James and Anna worked as farmers for the next decade. They quit farming and moved to the city of Slayton when James was elected Murray County Sheriff in 1890. A popular man who “performed the duties of his office fearlessly and honorably” according to a report in the Murray County Herald, James was re-elected in the next eight successive elections.

During her husband’s long tenure as Murray County Sheriff, Anna assisted James in his duties while raising the couple’s nine children: Minnie, Vernon (who died in infancy), John, Miles, Harry, James, George Kenneth, Charles, and Florence. In the community she became known as “Aunty Lowe” because of her cheerful and helpful personality.

Tragedy struck in August 1923 when James died of a sudden heart attack at the age of seventy-four. Six people applied to complete James’ unexpired term as sheriff: five men and one woman, Anna Lowe. By a 3-1 vote the Murray County Commissioners chose Anna for the position, making her the first female sheriff in Murray County and the second in the state of Minnesota (the first being Sadie Munroe, appointed Lyon County Sheriff in April 1922).

News of her appointment spread across the nation, appearing in newspapers as far away as Pittsburgh and Virginia. These brief articles usually noted that, like her husband, she would not work while armed. However, local newspaper reports on her activities as sheriff never mentioned that fact.

As Murray County Sheriff, Anna faced a number of difficult cases, including a bank robbery, the county’s first automobile theft, and the statutory rape of two local teenage girls. The greatest challenge, however, was the enforcement of the 18th Amendment (Prohibition). Local newspapers regularly reported police raids of suspected moonshiners and bootleggers conducted primarily by Deputy Sheriffs Miles Lowe and John Lowe (Anna’s sons) and Henry Stube.

Although it appears that Anna rarely or never accompanied her deputies on these liquor raids, her office came under criticism for its policing of illegal liquor activity in the county. In March 1924 County Attorney A. W. Tierney and Sheriff Lowe called a community meeting to discuss the problem.

County officials expressed frustration that local residents were not reporting those whom they knew were illegally manufacturing or transporting liquor. Community members demanded that law enforcement officials do a better job of enforcing the Prohibition laws, noting how difficult it was for them to “rat out” their neighbors, friends, relatives, or customers.

Despite these difficulties, Anna remained a beloved member of the community and a popular official. When she announced in April 1926 that neither she nor her son would campaign for sheriff in the upcoming election, the editor of the Herald remarked that many would be disappointed. He called the Lowe family’s record in the sheriff’s office “one to be proud of,” marked by earnestness and efficiency.

When Anna’s term officially expired in January 1927, J. V. Weber of the Herald again editorialized on the Lowe family’s service to the county. The paper’s staff and readers, he wrote, felt a “deep and abiding love for her and her deceased husband” and valued their combined thirty-six years of law enforcement.

After her term as Murray County's first female sheriff, Anna spent her remaining years in quiet retirement. She died of a stroke in June 1933 at the age of seventy-two.

It was not until 2002 that the state of Minnesota elected (rather than appointed) another female sheriff: Terese Amazi of Mower County.

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“About the Town.” Slayton Murray County Herald, May 22, 1924.

“Aged Official Succumbs to Dilatation of Heart.” Slayton Murray County Herald, August 30, 1923.

“Car Stolen from Streets Thursday.” Slayton Murray County Herald, December 20, 1923.

“Chandlerite Would ‘Get’ Moonshiners.” Slayton Murray County Herald, March 20, 1924.

“County Attorney Scores Jurors for Their Laxity.” Slayton Murray County Herald, March 13, 1924.

Lowe Family file
Family Archives, Murray County Historical Museum, Slayton
Description: Obituaries, newspaper clippings, and paper ephemera relating to Lowe family history in Murray County.

Minnesota State Sheriffs’ Association. Historical Report, 1885-1984. St. Paul: Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association, 1985.

“Mrs. Anna Lowe, County’s Only Woman Sheriff, Dies Monday.” Slayton Murray County Herald, June 8, 1933.

Murray County Historical Society. A History of Murray County, Minnesota. Marceline, MO: Walsworth Publishing Company, Inc., 1982.

“Hadley Bank Suspects Arrested in Mankato.” Slayton Murray County Herald, January 10, 1924.

“Sheriff in Last Minute Photos: Who’s Who What’s What in the News.” The Bee (Danville, Virginia), November 10, 1923.

“Sheriff in Last Minute Photos: Who’s Who What’s What in the News.” Pittsburgh Post, November 7, 1923.

“Sure Winners.” Slayton Murray County Herald, October 26, 1906.

“Tierney Calls Law Enforcement Meeting: County Attorney and Sheriff Lowe Call Officials to Meeting to Discuss Evils.” Slayton Murray County Herald, February 28, 1924.

Weber, J. V. Untitled editorial. Slayton Murray County Herald, April 22, 1926.

Weber, J. V. “Faithful Servants.” Slayton Murray County Herald, January 6, 1927.

“Wife of Deceased Official is Named.” Slayton Murray County Herald, August 30, 1923.

Related Images

Black and white photograph of Anna Sheerin Lowe, ca. 1895–1900.
Black and white photograph of Anna Sheerin Lowe, ca. 1895–1900.

Turning Point

In 1923 Anna Sheerin Lowe is appointed Murray County Sheriff to complete her husband’s unexpired term, making her the first female sheriff in Murray County and the second in the state of Minnesota.

Chronology

1861

Anna Margaret Sheerin is born near Waseca, Minnesota.

1880

Anna marries James Lowe in Avoca, Minnesota.

1890

James is elected Murray County Sheriff; he is re-elected to the position in the next eight consecutive elections.

1923

James dies of a heart attack in his ninth term as sheriff; the Murray County Commissioners appoint Anna to complete his term.

1924

Anna co-hosts a community meeting to discuss enforcement of Prohibition laws.

1926

Anna announces that she will not be a candidate for sheriff in the upcoming election.

1933

Anna dies of a stroke at the age of seventy-two.