Lathrop Cooley Stow (16 Jan 1849–6 Jan 1923) was an American businessman and politician who served as the 38th mayor of Grand Rapids, the city's first two-term mayor.
Born in Stow, OH, Stow moved to Grand Rapids in 1872 after marrying Frances Teeple. Stow initially worked in real estate before transitioning to the city’s furniture industry, which became a defining aspect of his career. In 1876, he co-founded the Grand Rapids Furniture Company, later selling his interest in 1893. In 1895, he became partner and treasurer of Stow & Davis Furniture Company, originally founded by his brother Russell J. Stow.
Stow was narrowly elected mayor in Apr 1896 with a plurality of just 169 votes against Democratic candidate and sitting mayor, Charles D. Stebbins, Populist John B. Greenway, and Prohibitionist Samuel T. Kinsey. During his conservative tenure, Stow implemented policies to promote patriotism, curb immorality, and maintain public order, such as directing the closure of all establishments serving alcohol on election day. He did not seek reelection, and served as mayor until the last day of Apr 1898, when he was succeeded in office by George R. Perry.
After retiring from his business interests in 1907, Stow relocated to Colorado, where he lived on the SLW ranch near Greeley with his daughter. His wife, Frances, died in 1913. Stow remained in Colorado until his death on 6 Jan 1923 after a brief illness. He was survived by his daughter and a sister, Mrs. Laura (Stow) Patterson of Grand Rapids. Funeral services were held in Greeley, and he was buried there in Linn Grove Cemetery.
Residence
Until his relocation to Colorado, Stow lived at 144 Mt Vernon.
In 1912, the city underwent an address reorganization. Mt Vernon was formalized as Mt Vernon Ave NW and the house number was changed to 90.
This new address, 90 Mt Vernon Ave NW, was located on the southeast corner of what was Shawmut Ave, an area which has been drastically changed by the construction of US Highway 131.
Today, the property's location is approximately 215 feet south from the southeast corner of Mt Vernon Ave NW and Pearl St NW, across from Burger King.
Links and References
- TWO LONE ALDERMEN, The Evening Press, 1896-04-07, Page 4
- REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR CITY OFFICES, The Evening Press, 1904-04-02, Page 6
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WIFE OF FORMER MAYOR IS DEAD IN COLORADO, Grand Rapids Press, 1913-06-30, Page 5
- Oldtime Members See New Church Born, Grand Rapids Press, 1922-03-31, Page 22
- FORMER MAYOR DIES, Grand Rapids Press, 1923-01-08, Page 2
- Former Mayor Dies In West, Grand Rapids Herald, 1923-01-08, Page 2
- 1895 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Grand Rapids, MI, Vol. 1, Page 64
- Grand Rapids City Directory, 1897
- Grand Rapids City Directory, 1912
- Grand Rapids History Center, 054-035-029_001
- Find-a-Grave Memorial: Lathrop Cooley Stow (1849-1923)
