[2][3] Stow was born in Halstead, Essex, England, the son of the Rev.

[1] On 19 March 1869, Stow was elected to the South Australian Legislative Council (in the days when all members were voted in by the whole colony, "The Province"),[4][3] resigning in September 1871.

[2] Stow was Chief Secretary in Henry Strangways' Ministry for 18 days in May 1870.

[3] In 1877 he entered the Government service, and in April 1884 was appointed Registrar of Probates, and Chief Clerk in the Supreme Court.

[2] Stow was a member of the board of governors of the Art Gallery, Public Library and Museum.