Person Sheet
NameJohn Edward Low 
, 156, M
, 156, MBirth1888-10-01, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Death1976-07-31, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
OccupationSteel Plate Engraver
FatherJames Low , 101, M (1861-1919)
MotherMartha Ashe , 102, F (1862-1938)
Spouses
1Jean Eleanor Rook , 157, F
, 157, FBirth1889-08-05, Prescott, Ontario, Canada
Death1986-12-30, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
FatherGeorge Rook , 504, M (1859-1944)
MotherRosanna Glasco , 505, F (1857-1937)
Marriage1915-10-14, Prescott, Ontario, Canada
ChildrenMarjorie Jean , 237, F (1917-2007)
A. C. , 238
Notes for John Edward Low
Lived at 247 Fifth Avenue in 1920s and later. Last address 2201 Braeside; Ottawa from late 1950s until death.
John Edward Low lived all his life in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He attended Ottawa Collegiate (now Lisgar).
In May 1906, John started his working career at the age of 17 at the American Bank Note Company, which later became the Canadian Bank Note Company. This building was constructed by his father James (ID=101). He remained employed there for 51 years, retiring on 30 August 1957. John became a steel plate engraver and was an exceptional artist in his trade. He engraved the plate for his daughter Arline's wedding invitations.
John was a Mason for over sixty years and a member of the Scottish Rite.
After his retirement, John and his wife maintained their residence in Ottawa, but spent the winter months in Florida.
Since 1945, a friend of the family, Mary (May) Cleghorn of Galashiels, Scotland, has lived with John, Jean, and their daughter Marjorie.
John's wife Jean describes how they met (probably around 1910):
I was teaching Sunday School in Knox Church. Frankie, who was just a wee thing and in one of the classes took sick. Some of the church people said to me "You know I think Mrs. Low would be quite pleased if you would go and ask for Frankie." So after Sunday School I did. I met Mrs. Low and Frankie and Libbie. She invited me to tea next Sunday. I went and met two little boys besides the two little girls. One was Ernie. I thought that was the family. They invited me to stay for supper. When I got to the dining room, there was Mr. Low, John, Jim, Alex, Billy, Tommy, and two friends of the boys. I didn't know there were others besides the little ones. I was just floored! Alex, when he saw me said "Well for heaven sakes, Jean! Is it you they were talking about?" They had talked about a 'Miss Rook' coming to visit, but Alex just knew me as 'Jean' at the church, through Sunday School. So that broke the ice. When it came time to take me home it was a toss-up which of the boys would take me. John took me home..."
In 1915 John and Jean were married in a simple wedding at home in Prescott, because of the war. A number of friends and relatives were present. They were driven to Brockville to start their honeymoon. But John had just learned that his work week was being cut back to two days a week, because of the war, and that his income would be cut. So Jean decided that they would limit their honey- moon to just a few days. Two days later they returned to Ottawa to a new apartment on Percy Street.
Jean remembers sitting at the dining room window of her home and watching the Parliament Building's burn down about 1916.
John Edward Low lived all his life in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He attended Ottawa Collegiate (now Lisgar).
In May 1906, John started his working career at the age of 17 at the American Bank Note Company, which later became the Canadian Bank Note Company. This building was constructed by his father James (ID=101). He remained employed there for 51 years, retiring on 30 August 1957. John became a steel plate engraver and was an exceptional artist in his trade. He engraved the plate for his daughter Arline's wedding invitations.
John was a Mason for over sixty years and a member of the Scottish Rite.
After his retirement, John and his wife maintained their residence in Ottawa, but spent the winter months in Florida.
Since 1945, a friend of the family, Mary (May) Cleghorn of Galashiels, Scotland, has lived with John, Jean, and their daughter Marjorie.
John's wife Jean describes how they met (probably around 1910):
I was teaching Sunday School in Knox Church. Frankie, who was just a wee thing and in one of the classes took sick. Some of the church people said to me "You know I think Mrs. Low would be quite pleased if you would go and ask for Frankie." So after Sunday School I did. I met Mrs. Low and Frankie and Libbie. She invited me to tea next Sunday. I went and met two little boys besides the two little girls. One was Ernie. I thought that was the family. They invited me to stay for supper. When I got to the dining room, there was Mr. Low, John, Jim, Alex, Billy, Tommy, and two friends of the boys. I didn't know there were others besides the little ones. I was just floored! Alex, when he saw me said "Well for heaven sakes, Jean! Is it you they were talking about?" They had talked about a 'Miss Rook' coming to visit, but Alex just knew me as 'Jean' at the church, through Sunday School. So that broke the ice. When it came time to take me home it was a toss-up which of the boys would take me. John took me home..."
In 1915 John and Jean were married in a simple wedding at home in Prescott, because of the war. A number of friends and relatives were present. They were driven to Brockville to start their honeymoon. But John had just learned that his work week was being cut back to two days a week, because of the war, and that his income would be cut. So Jean decided that they would limit their honey- moon to just a few days. Two days later they returned to Ottawa to a new apartment on Percy Street.
Jean remembers sitting at the dining room window of her home and watching the Parliament Building's burn down about 1916.
Notes for Jean Eleanor (Spouse 1)
Last address 2201 Braeside; Ottawa.
Jean was born in Prescott, Ontario, Canada in 1889. She was a daughter of George Rook (ID=504), tailor, who was born in England, and Rosanna Glasco (ID=505) who was born near Prescott. She is a sister of Minnie Farquhar Rook (ID=162) who married William Wilson Low (ID=161).
Jean recalls some memories of her childhood:
- I can remember Queen Victoria's Jubilee in 1897. I marched with my school in the parade. I was eight years old and had a new white dress and carried the Union Jack. My Dad taught the whole school to sing a couple of songs. One was "The Maple Leaf Forever."
- I can picture in my mind Queen Victoria's death. All the Store windows were draped in purple with pictures of the Queen everywhere.
- Milk was delivered to the door. It was in a big container and the man used a dipper to fill your pitcher. There was some talk about the cleanliness of the milk, so my father bought a cow, a little Jersey, and my mother learned to milk it and to make our own butter.
Note: Jean Eleanor Rook/Low has been interviewed a number of times by her daughter Marjorie and by me overten years. Some of these interviews have been taped. Jean has also written about some of her earlier memories. She has supplied valuable information on various families, including the LOW, ASHE, ROOK and TANNER families. This information will be made available to other family historical researchers. We are extremely grateful to Jean for giving us so much knowledge of family life as it was at the turn of the century.
Jean was born in Prescott, Ontario, Canada in 1889. She was a daughter of George Rook (ID=504), tailor, who was born in England, and Rosanna Glasco (ID=505) who was born near Prescott. She is a sister of Minnie Farquhar Rook (ID=162) who married William Wilson Low (ID=161).
Jean recalls some memories of her childhood:
- I can remember Queen Victoria's Jubilee in 1897. I marched with my school in the parade. I was eight years old and had a new white dress and carried the Union Jack. My Dad taught the whole school to sing a couple of songs. One was "The Maple Leaf Forever."
- I can picture in my mind Queen Victoria's death. All the Store windows were draped in purple with pictures of the Queen everywhere.
- Milk was delivered to the door. It was in a big container and the man used a dipper to fill your pitcher. There was some talk about the cleanliness of the milk, so my father bought a cow, a little Jersey, and my mother learned to milk it and to make our own butter.
Note: Jean Eleanor Rook/Low has been interviewed a number of times by her daughter Marjorie and by me overten years. Some of these interviews have been taped. Jean has also written about some of her earlier memories. She has supplied valuable information on various families, including the LOW, ASHE, ROOK and TANNER families. This information will be made available to other family historical researchers. We are extremely grateful to Jean for giving us so much knowledge of family life as it was at the turn of the century.