John Frederick Stowe
1858-1939
AGED SHOWMAN CLAIMED BY DEATH
MEMBER OF OLD FAMILY FAMOUS IN
DRAMA AND LITERATURE, SUCCUMBS.
“The show must go on” without John Frederick Stowe.
His heart, mellowed by years of trouping that linked him with some of American showmanship’s pioneer ventures, was stilled by death at 2:45 o’clock Tuesday afternoon. He was 80 years old last Dec. 12.
Death came in his home at 308 South Fourth street, where he had been critically ill a week. His health had been failing for years.
Nephew of Harriet Beecher Stow, and one of Niles’ most colorful characters, he had trekked the country from youth until his retirement 10 years ago, carrying on the family ‘s dramatic tradition which had the start when his aunt penned the famous tale of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”
ON TOUR 34 YEARS
For 34 consecutive years, until the late 1920s, Mr. Stowe toured the United States with his own “Tom Show” giving thousands of performances of his aunt’s story.
One of his most pleasant experiences, Mrs. Stowe recalled today, was receiving a letter a short time ago form Lyman Beecher Stowe, grandson of the author, after a radio program which renewed their ties.
Always associated with the theater, he listed among his early day acquaintances Annie Oakley, who won international fame as a rifle shot after he gave her her start in a Kentucky theater in 1890; Dan Itice, most famous clown of that period, and “Buffalo Bill” Cody.
BORN IN OHIO
Son of John and Margaret Gilbert Stowe, he was born into the illustrious family in 1853 in Wauseon, Ohio. As soon as possible, he cast his lot with the show business and joined his father in management of theaters and associated enterprises throughout the country.
Nearly 60 years ago, when he was in his 20s, he toured Cuba several seasons managing a circus. Then, after rejoining his father for a time, he organized his “Tom Show” and toured throughout the United Sates.
With it, and another based on “Ten Nights in a Barroom,“ he was on the road until the late ‘20s, when he retired after a final swing through Michigan.
Mrs. Stowe lived here 37 years, coming from Denver and using Niles as an operating . . his last quarter century of active show work.
CHARTER MEMBER OF ELKS
His marriage to Katherine Van Evers, who survives, took place here Jan. 7, 1917. They have a son John, employed by a telephone company in Kalamazoo.
Other survivors are a brother, Harry Stowe, Niles, and a sister, Mrs. Jessie Warner, Grand Rapids.
Members of the Niles Lodge of Elks, of which he was a charter member, will assist the Rev. Guy W. Simon in services at 2:30 o’clock Thursday afternoon in the Price and Kiger funeral home. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wed. May 17, 1939, page 1)
and
WELL KNOWN SHOWMAN DIES AT NILES TUESDAY
John Frederick Stowe, 80, who for 35 consecutive years toured the United States with his uncle Tom’s Cabin show, died Tuesday afternoon at his home in Niles. He was a nephew of Harriett Beecher Stowe, author of the famous book which his show portrayed, and was very well known through this section from which he drew many of his star performers.
Mr. Stowe, who had been a trouper practically all his life, retired from the show business in the late ‘20s and has since made his home in Niles. He is survived by his wife and one son John.
(Source:) Berrien Springs Journal Era, Thurs., May 18, 1939, page 8)