Charles F. Howe

As printed in 1906

CHARLES F. HOWE. Through many years of an active business career Charles F. Plowe was engaged in farming but is now living retired in Buchanan, the competence which he acquired in former years being sufficient to enable him to now enjoy rest from further labor. He was born in Cortland county. New York, March 22, 1832. His father, Frederick Howe, was a native of Massachusetts, and removed from New York to Berrien county, Michigan, in 1835, locating in Bertrand township, among the earliest settlers who were subduing the wilderness and extending the frontier. He bought several claims and improved his land, transforming wild uncultivated tracts into rich fields, from which he annually garnered abundant harvests. About 1860 he built the brick house now occupied by Charles F. Howe, and, locating therein, he died in his seventy-sixth year. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Polly Bliss, was a native of Massachusetts and lived to be seventy-eight years of age. As pioneer people they were closely identified with the early history of Berrien county and aided in establishing its policy at that day. Mr. Howe owned a large tract of land at one time, mostly in Bertrand township. He was an influential resident of the community and filled various township and county offices, to which he was called by the vote of his fellow townsmen who recognized his worth and ability. He was in office at the time the old courthouse was built at Berrien Springs, acting as supervisor and was appointed on the building committee. This committee borrowed money of the state in order to build the courthouse. His son, Charles F. Howe, was in office when the board discharged this indebtedness to the state. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Howe have become the parents of twelve children, who reached adult age.

The subject of this review, the only surviving member of the family,was three and a half years old when he came to this county. He was reared in Bertrand township amid pioneer scenes and environments and shared with the family in the hardships and privations of frontier life. His education was obtained in the early schools of the county and he remained at home up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated in October, 1858, the lady of his choice being Miss Lucy Crowfoot, a daughter of Osmond D. and Maria (Sampson) Crowfoot. Mrs. Howe was born at Truxton, Cortland county. New York, July 7, 1837, and had the advantage of educational privileges m Homer Academy in that county. She afterward engaged in teaching school in New York, in Indiana and in Berrien county, Michigan, devoting seven years to that profession. She became a resident of Berrien county when nineteen years of age, removing to this locality in order to teach in the public schools here and was thus occupied until she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Howe.

The young couple began their domestic life on the old Frederick Howe homestead in Bertrand township, where they resided continuously until 1897, when they removed to Buchanan, taking up their above in the old home which was built by his father in 1860. They have become the parents of five children. Osmond, born in 1859, married Fannie Long, and is now living m Lansing, Michigan. Fie is a graduate of the Agricultural College of that city and is now in the employ of the state. Frederick is a prominent farmer of Bertrand township mentioned on another page of this work. Harry B., born in 1865, is at home, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Buchanan, Michigan, also assistant postmaster in that city. Lulu C, born in 1872, is the wife of Bryan Treat, of Buchanan. May, born in 1877, is the wife of Bird Lister, of Washington Heights, Chicago.

Mr. Howe gave his early political allegiance to the Democracy but in more recent years has been a stalwart Republican. He has taken an active interest in political and other questions affecting the welfare and progress of his community and for three years has served as township supervisor of Bertrand. He was for nine years superintendent of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and he is interested in all that pertains to progress for the agriculturist and for the community at large. His residence in the county covers seventy-one years, few men having so long been a witness of its growth and development. He has been identified with the making of the county, standing ever for its interests which work for material, intellectual, social and moral progress. Flis influence is always on the side of right and order and he is a man of genuine personal worth, who is respected by all with whom he has been brought in contact. He is now living retired in Buchanan, surrounded by the comforts and some of the luxuries of life, which have been secured through his kindly and well directed efforts in former years.

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.