Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-08-31
JOHN H. FOW, FORMER
LEGISLATOR, DIES
Prominent Philadelphia Lawyer,
Well Known Here, Passes Away
at Summer Home
WAS SIXTY-FOUR YEARS OLD
Served as Special Correspondent
For Philadelphia Newspapers
in This City
WAS SIXTY-FOUR YEARS OLD
By Associated Press

Philadelphia, Pa, Aug. 31.-John
Fl. Fow, prominent lawyer of this
city, former member of the Pennsyl-
vania Legislature and widely known
in Pennsylvania political circles, died
to-day at his summer home in Spring
Lake, N. j.
Mr.. Fow was taken i'll in his Office
here last Friday and his condition be-
came critical yesterday, Death is be-
lieved to have been due to a general
breakdown complicated with stomach
trouble.
Mr.. Fow, who was 81 years old, was
born in Philadelphia and educated in
the public schools. He was admitted
to the bar in 1873. He took an active
part in political affairs and soon be-
came prominent figure in municipal
and State politics. being a member of
the Democratic State Committee IN
1882 and 1888. He was the first presi-
dent of the State League of Demo-
cratic Clubs. and for three years vice
president.
In 1888 he was elected to the State
House of Representatives. He was re-
elected in 1890, 1892 and 1894; again
elected in 1898, serving the term in
1S99-1900 and afterwards to the extra
ordinary session of 1906. being elected
as an independent over both the Re-
publican and Democratic candidates.
He was chairman of the Quay SEN
atorial investigating committee in
1899 and was also chairman of the
Democratic caucus in 1893 and 1898.
Special Correspondent
Mr.. Fow was special correspond
ent at Harrisburg, for Philadelphia
for a number of years. He
was a delegate to national conventions
of his party on several occasions, and
nominee for Congress in the district
wherein he resides. He was the
author of the act that does away with
kissing the Bible in legal proceedings,
the Saturday half holiday bill and a
large number of acts relating to the
practice of law and municipal affairs.
Few of the men in public life in
Pennsylvania were better known in
Harrisburg than Mr.. Fow. He was
could be told of his rejoiners in de-
bate and his ,quickness in turning a
point. Mr.. Fow first came here late in
the seventies as a young man inter
ested in politics. In the eighties he
became a member of the House and
was the wit of the legislature even in
days when the House contained some
vania. No one ever got the better of
him in a parliamentary question.
In addition to his legislative service
Mr.. Fow often came here to speak
before committees of the general as
sembly and was frequently attorney
before the appellate courts and the
Board of Pardons. He was often en-
gagged in election cases before the
Dauphin county court and his consti-
tutional questions were problems.
No Democratic gatherings were
complete without Mr.. Fow. He was
delegate numerous times and al
ways managed to keep good friends
with all factions. Once in a while he
decided to be candidate, but it was
generally for fun.
Mr. Fow was type of the man ac-
tive in politics who is passing. He
was shrewd in his plans and lightning
quick in carrying them out. full Of
good natured fun. kind hearted and
won and kept friends.