Alonzo F. Howe

As printed in 1906

ALONZO F. HOWE, secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Berrien, Van Buren and Cass counties, and a resident of Buchanan, was born in Bertrand township, Berrien county, November 10, 1862. He represents one of the old pioneer families of this portion of the state, his paternal grandfather, Frederick Howe, having come from New England to Michigan at an early epoch in the development of this locality. He settled in Bertrand township and secured land from the government. There he aided in planting the seeds of civilization wliich have ripened and borne fruit in later years in the present advancement and progress of the county. His son, Frederick A. Howe, a native of Massachusetts, was reared in Michigan upon the frontier, and was married in Bertrand township to Miss Sarah A. Smith, a daughter of John Smith, who came from Pennsylvania to the middle west and settled in South Bend, Indiana, in 1843, removing to Bertrand township, Berrien county. Mrs. Howe was born in the Keystone state in 1836, and was a little maiden of only seven summers when she became a resident of this county. She is still living and is one of the worthy pioneer women of this portion of Michigan, where she has lived for almost two-thirds of a century. By her marriage she became the mother of three sons, one of whom has passed away, while George E. Howe is now residing in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Alonzo F. Howe and his mother are the only ones living in Berrien county. He was reared upon the old homestead farm in Bertrand township, and various tasks connected with the development and cultivation of the land were assigned him from time to time as his years and strength increased. After attaining his majority he was engaged in farming and in the stock business until 1903, when he came to Buchanan and retired from agricultural interests save for the supervision which he gave to his farm. He was president of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company from February, 1904, until December, 1905, and at a later date was appointed secretary of the company to fill a vacancy. He acted in that capacity until February, 1906, when he was elected to the office, which position he is now filling and in this connection he is giving capable service, bringing new business discernment and enterprise to bear upon the onerous and important duties which devolve upon him in this connection. He has a farm of one hundred acres in Bertrand township.

Mr. Howe was married on the 15th of

March, 1903, to Mrs. Anna M. Glover, nee Simmons. He is a Democrat in his political proclivities and active in the local ranks of the party. He holds membership with Buchanan Lodge, No. 68, A. F. & A. M., and in the line of official service has made a creditable record. He filled the office of supervisor of Bertrand township from 1897 until 1902, and was elected supervisor of Buchanan in 1905. He was also township clerk for two terms in Bertrand township and was chosen chairman of the county board of supervisors in 1902. His interest in public affairs is that of a citizen of known devotion to the general good and his zeal in behalf of public progress has been a conspicuous and valuable factor in the work of development and improvement. He has been a life-long resident of Berrien county and has carried forward the work which was instituted by his grandfather and continued by his father from pioneer times down to the present time, so that the name of Howe is a respected one in Berrien county, standing always for good citizenship.

As printed in A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.