The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-15
Man Who For Nearly Half a
Century Had Aided Rich
mond In Its Development
Dies, Aged II Years.
| AN ACTIVE WORKER
TO HIS LAST HOUR
Was Veteran of War Between
the States, Once Prisoner at
Fort Lookout-Prominent
Baptist-Had Keen Interest
In Progress.

The sudden death of Nathaniel w.
Bowe, one of Richmond's oldest and
best known real estate dealers. in the
home of his son. \. W. Bowie. Jr.,
s17 West Franklin street. yesterday
afternoon. cast a spell of gloom over
the entire business section and hum
dreds of homes in the city. Mr. Bowe
was seventy-one years old, and for
twenty years had been the head of
one of the largest real estate firms in
Richmond. He had witnessed the
rebuilding of the capital of the Con-
federacy and its steady growth since
the days when he followed the BAN
ners OF the Lost Cause. In much OF
this work he had had a great part.
and his labors won him friends by
scores.
During the late afternoon yester-
day and late into the evening, after
the fact of his death had become
generally known, a steady stream of
friends. business acquaintance and
scores of persons who know him only
by reputation. went to the residence
on West Franklin street to express
their sympathy for the bereaved fam
lily and to offer any assistance which
it WAS within their power to give. On
the streets, the news Of his passing
was received with the greatest sor-
row and expressions of the loss which
the business world and the city 1T
large had suffered were freely passed
Mr., Bowe had been complained
for several days. it was stated at the
house last night. but his condition
was not regarded as critical. nor even
alarming. He accompanied his wife
yesterday on drive through the
western section of the city immedi-
ately after lunch and appeared to be
in the best OF spirits. He complain
ed of being tired upon returning to
the house and was assisted within
and seated on a couch.
Bruce Bowe, a son, and a member
of his fathers firm, called him over
the phone on business matter and
the two conversed for several min-
utes. The elder Bowe returned 10
his seat on the couch, and in q few
moments sank back on the pillows.
dying. His wife was with him at tho
last Efforts to arouse him proved
futile, and he breathed his last at
exactly 2:55 O'Clock, before physi-
clans could reach his side.
Family Frustrated.
Mrs Bowe and other members OF
the immediate family were PROSTATE
at the sudden death. Although suf-
fering much from the shock OF her
thought to be in a serious condition
last night. and it is expected that
she will be recovered sufficiently to
attend the funeral, which has been
set for some time Monday. Neither
the hour nor the place from which
it will be held had been decided upon
last night. Most of the Immediate
family live in Richmond, and those
who live in various sections Of the
-sf lntA lrxA t
night or will reach the city by the
early trains today.
Nat Bowe, as Mr.. Bowe was gen
orally known in the city. was the son
of Mary V. Ellis. and Hector Bowe.
a well known farmer Of Hanover
county. He was born at Peaks, near
Hanover Courthouse. in 1913. and
lived there on the farm until Virginia
called upon her sons to take up arms.
He enlisted in Company p. OF tho
First Virginia infantry. with which
he served during the war. He was
captured in 1868 and sent to Fort.
Look out, where he spent nineteen
months of torture in the federal prl-3
son there. At the expiration OF that
time he was exchanged and returned
To his command. where, after SOW
eral months service, he was pros
NOTED to the rank of sergeant. Ser.
geant Bowe took part IN many OF Inc
most important battles fought on
Virginia soil, and was with the Con-
federate army on its invasion Of
MARYLAND and Pennsylvania, which
resulted in the disastrous battle OF
Gettysburg.
Began Business In 1867.
At the close of the war he returned
to the home of his father in Hanover.
but came to Richmond in 1867, and en-
tered business. He began as clerk and
general office man for the Arm OF
tirubbs & Williams. with whom he ro-s
manned and learned the fundamentals
OF the business which later passed en-
tirely into his hands and which he de-s
yeloped to an astonishing degree. Upon
the retirement of Mr.. Grubbs from ac-
tive business. Mr.. Bowe entered the
Arm and later when Mr.. Williams died
assumed entire control of the firIn.s
He retained this position until few
years ago. when. after training sew
eral at his sons In the work. he adj
mitted them to the firm. Mr.. Bowe
remained at the head Of the business
however, and UP to ten minutes bef0Fe
he was stricken was In active com !.
mand OF it's affairs. Bruce Bowe VIII
now take over. the directorship Of the
business.
During his long term Of life in thu
business whiri OF this city. MIR. BOEN
had watched with ever increasing
pride the reconstruction OF Rfchm0n03
and had the satisfaction At hts death
OF realizing the unboundedsfa faith whlEMs
he Had in tho city and ita fnturA -
was active in almost every movAmeMeS
which pertained toward the adysnea