Ludlow E. Dow 1855-1929

DOW, FITZ

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 12/21/2012 at 12:01:55

Grinnell (IA) Register; March 7, 1929

LUDLOW E. DOW

Pathetic Ending Of A
Busy and Useful Life
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Funeral services were held at the home this afternoon at 2:00 o'clock for Ludlow E. Dow. Rev. E.M. Vittum, one time friend and former pastor, spoke briefly of the deceased. Prof. David F. Peck, his neighbor, sang. Bearers were Norman O. Pilgrim, George Murray, C.A. Miller, J.J. Corrough, H.S. Conard, John Evans. Burial was in Hazelwood.

Mr. Dow was born in Middletown, Conn., March 15, 1855. He lost his parents in early life and came to Des Moines, Ia. when but 15 years of age, where he resided until about 35 years ago, when he came to Grinnell to make his home.

In December 1881, he was married to Miss Leah Fitz, of Pomona, Ia. Two sons were born to them, Clark, who was named for Dr. E.W. Clark, pioneer physician of this city, and Donald Vittum, named in honor of Dr. E.M. Vittum, who today is standing by as he has ever stood by his people in their hours of sore need as in their hours of greatest joy.

Clark lived but a few short years, but the memory of this unusually bright and dear little boy has survived the years, not only in the hearts and minds of his own people but of their neighbors and friends in Grinnell. The loss of their first born was a sorrow that ever shadowed the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Dow.

Dr. Donald Vittum Dow, now a practising dentist in Colfax, Ia., is married and the father of two lovely children, a son and a daughter, in whom the grandparents have taken great pride and joy.

Mr. Dow was a baker by trade and a good conscientious workman. He was for many years employed by Carl Phelps at the Met. He was honest and fair in all his dealings, an upright, respected citizen.

The nature of Mr. Dow's trade was such that most of his work was done while his townsmen slept. When the town awoke it was time for him to seek rest and sleep. For this reason his general acquaintance among his fellows was perhaps limited, but it seems that he must have found ample opportunity to make friends for so many people are today speaking of him in such friendly fashion.

Illness, excruciating pain, and worry over financial losses robbed Mr. Dow's last years of comfort and happiness, and without doubt wrecked his mind as well as his body which is ample explanation of his life's pathetic ending. Mr. Dow was a good man, a good neighbor, a good citizen. Finer things can be said of no man.