4/1938

Ernest A. Stowe . . .In the death of Ernest A. Stowe on Wednesday, March 30^th, at Blodgett Hospital, the Club, as well as Grand Rapids, lost one of its oldest, best known, most vigorous and most colorful members.

As he had helped build his city for more than a half century, so he had helped to build the Club virtually from its inception. He had been a member for almost fifty-five years and active up to the hour of his illness, less than two weeks before his passing.

Into Club affairs he brought and maintained the same qualities that made him outstanding in business and civic circles as editor and publisher of the Michigan Tradesman--a passion for fair dealing, direct action, outspoken opinion and adherence to principle.

For many years Mr. Stowe had a standing daily appointment in the Club barber Shop--and he never missed.

Branching out in the trade paper field at about the time he joined the Club, Mr. Stowe surrendered an enviable status in the daily newspaper field in Grand Rapids to shape a dream out of small capital and hard work. The faith he had in himself, plus the toiling he did day after day and year after year, are known to the whole community.

Mr. Stowe success was not simply personal. It was due to his virile pen and his militant courage that many of today’s high ethics in business came about when they did. In his crusading for business reforms, he established a name for himself over western Michigan.

Born in Hudson, Mich., on March 16, 1859, he moved to Lamont with his parents in 1870 and two years later went to Reed City, where he completed his common school education. In Big Rapids he learned the printing trade and it was that profession which brought him to Grand Rapids in 1877, sixty-one years ago.

The Peninsular Club will greatly miss E.A. Stowe.

(There is a picture of Mr. Stowe it reads as: E.A. Stowe is shown above as he will best be remembered--a two fisted editor, busy always with a thousand and one things but never to busy to fight a good fight for a good cause. This photograph at his desk was one of the last made of him).

Transcriber: Barb Jones
Created: 7 July 2009
URL: http://kent.migenweb.net/obituaries/stoweEA.html