Frederick Stielow (1887 - 1942)

Born 12 Jan 1887 in McNab Township, Renfrew, Ontario, Canada

Ancestors

Died 26 May 1942 at age 55 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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Biography

Frederick was born in 1887 in McNab Township, Renfrew, Ontario. He was the son of Edward Stielow and Hannah Spieker. Fred as he was called was already training as a tailor in 1901. In 1921 he was working as a tailor and his income was $1,100 for the year. Fred never married, instead living with his parents. His father had died in 1940 and Fred was the informant for the death record. Fred died in the Ottawa Civil Hospital in 1942 after complications from ulcers. He had surgery May 12th but died May 27th. The funeral was held in the residence of his sister Mrs. Minnie Loock in Mansfield, Renfrew County. Fred was buried in Arnprior.

Tailoring

Fred began his apprenticeship as a tailor by age 14. The process takes 2 to 6 years to complete. Arnprior, a small town near the Canadian capital city of Ottawa, had some merchant tailor shops where Fred could work. If he found a position in Ottawa the work would pay more but there was some friction between shop owners and their tailors due to the development of unions and strikes.

25 Mar 1907 The Ottawa Journal: STRIKE. Four Sparks St. Stores Affected. Employees want more pay increase. "We are paid lower here than any other city in Canada," said one of the strikers. "For pants and vests the scale is way below. Of course in the busy season we make good wages but we have to work long hours for it--twelve and fifteen hours a day."

There was competition from the new ready-made clothing and imports. In 1912 a suit could be purchased for $7.50 at Murphy Gamble Limited and the "Business Man's Lunch" was served for 50 cents. (Ottawa Journal 23 May 1912).

Fred's brother August Stielow, who had moved to Aberdeen, Washington, was also a tailor. It was an occupation that was not as necessary as it had been in previous centuries. Once master tailors with nine years of training could cut patterns and sew garments that ranged from simple to extravagant that were flattering to the buyer and comfortable to wear. One size did not fit all. Five sizes did not fit all. These garments were a work of art, designed to fit one body. "The old saying The Tailor Makes the Man, is still true and the reason is easily found. He is skilled in the art of designing, studies your peculiarities, cuts your clothes to cover all your defects..." (The Ottawa Journal, 21 July 1928, full page ad to showcase merchant tailors and custom-made clothing).

When Fred died in 1942 the world and tailoring were radically different than when he began his career in 1900.

A Spot of Trouble Costing $500

For unknown reasons, perhaps guilt that he didn't serve in World War I, perhaps a slow market in the tailoring business, Fred Stielow enlisted in the Canadian Army at age 32 on April 4th 1919, after the war was over and men were being demobilized. He was accepted as suitable for general service. Fred was clearly not soldier material. He didn't show up for duty. When it's civilian life you just get fired. When it's the military things are handled differently. The military handed the matter over to the police and on April 11, 1919 Fred was charged by Magistrate Askwith for being an absentee under the Military Service Act. He pleaded guilty and was fined $500. He was officially discharged from the military Sept 20, 1919 for Misconduct.

Sources

• 1891 Census of Canada/misspell Stelon, McNab Twp., Renfrew, Ontario, Edward 39, Hanna 40, Albert 12, August 10, Charls 7, Fred 4, Anna 5/12
• 1901 Census of Canada /misspell Strelow, McNab, Renfrew, Eduart 48, Johanne 50, Albert 22, Carl 17, Friedrick 14, Minna 1
• The Ottawa Citizen, April 11, 1919 "Defaulter Fined $500" (Newspapers.com)
• 1921 Census of Canada/misspell Stickow (in the text it is STIELOW), McNab, Renfrew, Edward 66, Hannah 71, Fred 30, tailor, SINGLE
• Canada, Voters Lists, 1935-1980, Arnprior 1935, living with his father Edward
• Ontario, Canada, Deaths 1869-1938, 1943-1944 and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947, Fred Stielow, born Arnprior 12 Jan 1887, d. 26 May 1942, Ottawa, Ottawa Civil Hospital, Single