Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Howe, Milo E 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 6:09 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Howe, Milo E., is an excellent example of the self-made man, one who has 
developed his natural talents and increased his earning capacity by night 
study.  Mr. Howe is now one of the leading cement contractors of Morris, 
specializing in architectural work in this line.  He was born in Ashtabula 
County, Ohio, October 18, 1850, son of Almiran and Ziprah (Peck) Howe, natives 
of Vermont and Long Island, N. Y., respectively.  The father went to New Lyme, 
Ohio, with his parents at an early day, and there married and settled, being a 
machinist and blacksmith.  In 1856 he came to Kankakee City, Ill., and bought 
a soldier’s claim of 160 acres of land, which he operated until his death, in 
September, 1858, his widow surviving him until 1899, when she passed away in 
Kankakee City, in the meanwhile having married a second time.

When the father died, the family went back to Ohio, but after two years there, 
Milo E. Howe returned to farm in Illinois, and in 1861 came to Morris, where 
he was joined by the family.  He remained at home two years, and then began 
working on the canal, becoming eventually a marine engineer.  Having secured 
this position, Mr. Howe worked as a marine engineer on the Great Lakes, the 
Illinois River and the Mississippi River, thirteen years in all.  Not 
satisfied with his progress, however, he entered into boiler making at Morris, 
and for a number of years did a very big business in this line as well as in 
repair work.  Seeing a fine opening that he could take advantage of in brick 
construction work and concrete, he branched out and now takes large contracts 
for all classes of buildings in his line, specializing on architectural 
concrete.  His office is conveniently located at No. 609 West avenue, Morris, 
where he also resides.  He has the distinction of being the only contractor 
able to turn out artistic concrete work in this locality.  On July 3, 1873, 
Mr. Howe was married to Anna Cryer, born in England, daughter of Benjamin and 
Hannah (Briarley) Cryer, who came to the United States at an early day, the 
father being a coal miner.  Mr. and Mrs. Howe have the following family:  Milo 
and Robert, both of whom reside at Morris; Annie, widow of William Youngren, 
who lives with her father; Emma, Mrs. Frank Sanford, who lives at Morris; 
Benjamin, who is of Bureau, Ill.; and Lena L., a trained nurse, who is at 
home.  By a former marriage, consummated on July 3, 1869, with Mary McKinney, 
a native of Virginia, who died in June, 1871, Mr. Howe had one daughter:  
Laura, now Mrs. Noah Delay.

Although Mr. Howe was given but few educational advantages, he created them 
for himself, studying at night school, and taking advantages of every 
opportunity when it was offered.  As a result he has steadily risen  until 
today he occupies an enviable position among the leading contractors of Grundy 
County.

page 833

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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