Lowlow Papers 1910, 1941

Access and use

Location of collection:
Wytheville Community College
F.B. Kegley Library
Wytheville Community College
Smyth Hall, Room 103
1000 East Main Street
Wytheville, VA 24382
Contact for questions and access:
POC: William A. “Bill” Veselik
Phone: (276) 223-4876
POC: George Mattis
Phone: (276) 223-4744
Fax: (276) 223-4745

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of an 11 September 1941 letter written by Alvina Lowlow, daughter-in-law of John Lowlow, to John A. Whitman of Wytheville, Virginia. Mrs. Lowlow provides biographical information regarding her father-in-law, John Lowlow the clown, in this seven page letter. Also included in a typescript of an obituary of John Lowlow from The Billboard dated 29 October 1910.

Biographical / historical:

John Littlelow was born in Savannah, Georgia in August 1841; he was the son of John and Isabella McKinzie Littlelow. Orphaned as a youth, Littlelow joined the circus company of John Robinson. He spent the next fifty years performing as a singing clown. He married Elizabeth Maria Rose of Cleveland, Ohio on 25 August 1866. They had three sons; William Lowlow, and two who died young. Lowlow changed his name after a spelling mistake on the billboard. John Lowlow died on 18 October 1910 in Cincinnati, Ohio and is buried in Cleveland.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Ruth Ann Chitwood in 2001 as part of the W. R. Chitwood Collection.
Physical description:
2 items..