Jeppe Delano
August 9, 1845-March 13, 1925
Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 13, 1925, page 1, col. 8, continued page 6, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
TAKES LAST CURTAIN CALL
Death Take Veteran Stage Artist After Long Illness
The long and interesting career of Jeppe Delano was brought to a close at 6:50 o'clock this morning when he passed peacefully away at his home, 498 Elm street, where he was married 53 years ago to Fanny Sutter, the wife and sweetheart who survives him and who in a professional way and as a helpmate had been so closely associated that to speak of one was to think of the other.
Mr. Delano's death was not unexpected. He had been bedridden for 18 months, and at times, his life was despaired of, but with remarkable strength, he had rallied and the weeks and month of invalidism lengthened into years. However, since last Monday the end had been momentarily expected.
Jeppe Delano was born August 9, 1845, at Charleston, Mass. In his early life he was a manufacturing jeweler. Later, with two brothers, one of whom was a partner of Henry Guild, he joined the Peak family musical organization of which William Peak, Sr., was proprietor. Mr. Peak, Sr., was the father of William H. Peak, and while the senior Mr. Peak covered the east and British provinces, his son had the west and south. Mr. Delano was therefore with Mr. Peak, Sr. for many years while Miss Sutter was with W.H. Peak, both making enviable reputations for themselves. Miss Sutter took the name of the Peak family, and was known on the theatre programs as Fanny Peak. Her correct Christian name was Anna Mary Sutter, but when she joined the Peak family, an adopted daughter of the Peaks, name Annie, later Mrs. Annie Martin, was with them, and the woman, who was their governess was named Annie. .and ever since.
Eventually the two Peak families of entertainers ere united into one company, this union taking place at Lansing.
"I can not tell you anything about Fannie or myself," stated Jeppe while being questioned some time ago, "unless I tell of both. Our lives have been too closely interwoven to be separated, even in talking of them." Fannie's remarkable voice attracted such great attention when she was a mere child, though. it was once consider the chief attraction on any program where she appeared. It was later that she began to fill a responsible position at the bell ringing table, but she soon became a staff bell soloist, as well as developing a great talent as a comedienne. O, she was versatile. More so, I guess, than my admirers ever attributed that quality to me. When Fannie and I entered high class vaudeville on our own initiative there was no departure made from it until we gave up professional life, except that for a few months I took up cartooning on the staff of Pomeroy's Democrat in Chicago."
The Delanos played successfully engagements with Old Signor Bilfy and Decastro, magicians, being with those men two seasons. Other engagements placed them opposite such players as Tony Pastor, with whom they made the tour of the West Indies as well as Cuba, also George Dean Spaulding and the famous combination of Pat Rooney.
Mr. Delano and Fanny were married in the house which her parents John J. and Magdalena Sutter, had built at 498 Elm street, by Rev. George Luck, then rector of Trinity Episcopal church, on June 30, 1872. They at once resumed their stage careers, and continued with that work until about 25 years ago when Mr. Delano became a sufferer from rheumatism, and they came to Niles to spend the remainder of their lives. For two terms Mr. Delano served as city treasurer.
Mr. Delano's health began to fail during the summer of 1922, and on August 9 of that year entered a South Bend hospital for an operation. He never regained his health to any appreciable extent, but bore his illness and suffering with great fortitude and patience.
Mr. and Mrs. Delano had three children, one of who lived to be 10 months old, but the others died at birth.
Besides the widow, Mr. Delano is survived by one sister, Mrs. Sarah Barnes, 83, of Dorchester, Mass., now the only surviving member of the Jepthath Delano family which came to America in the Mayflower.
Mr. Delano was a member of the Masonic order, having received degrees in blue lodge, the chapter and the commandery. He was also one of the "Jolly Corks" organization in New York City from which was stared the first lodge of Elks, his lodge being No. 1 of New York City. He was the only remaining member of that organizating group.
The funeral will be conducted by St. Joseph Valley Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M. at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon from the home and the Augustine Funeral Parlors. Niles Commandery No. 12, Knights Templar, will act as escort at the funeral.