Eugene E. Howe, a rising young lawyer of Gilboa, was born in South Londonderry, Vt., May 22, 1867, son of Elwin A. and Jennie (Walker) Howe. He is a descendant on both sides of early arrivals at Plymouth, Mass., and his paternal grandfather was prominently identified with the public affairs of Vermont in his day. Elwin A. Howe enlisted as a private at the breaking out of the Civil War, and was later commissioned Captain of a company belonging to the One Hundred and Eighth United States Infantry, a colored regiment. After the war he engaged in the wooden-ware business in Ludlow, Vt., becoming one of the principal stockholders in a large enterprise known as the Ludlow Toy Manufacturing Company, of which he was superintendent. He is widely and favorably known throughout the Green Mountain State as a leading Republican, having served four years in the lower house and two years in the State Senate. He was formerly Postmaster of Ludlow and superintendent of the water-works. He married Jennie Walker, a representative of a highly reputable Vermont family and a sister of the Hon. William H. Walker, a prominent lawyer, who served in both branches of the legislature and as a justice of the Supreme Court. Mr. and Mrs. Elwin A. Howe have had six sons and three daughters, all of whom are studiously inclined, and are making good use of the liberal education which it has been their good fortune to receive.
Eugene E. Howe pursued his preparatory course at the Black River Academy, Ludlow, and was graduated at Middlebury College with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1888. He was one of the honor men of his class, and belongs to the various college fraternities. In 1887 he was appointed official reporter for the Vermont legislature, holding that office for four years in the House and two years in the Senate. His law studies were begun in the office of Batchelder & Barber, of Vermont; and, while pursuing the regular course at the Albany Law School, his spare time was spent in the office of the Hon. Alden Chester, of that city. He was admitted to the bar in 1891, and, beginning the practice of his profession in company with J. S. Frost, he remained in Albany some four years, during which time he figured in several important cases. In 1895, at the advice of friends, he came to Gilboa, where he has already established a large general law business, and has become a familiar figure in the courts of Schoharie, Greene, and Delaware Counties. He is a forcible advocate and a fluent speaker, is familiar with court procedure; and these essential qualities, together with the ability he displays in preparing his cases, give ample evidence of the brilliant future which has been predicted for him. In politics he is a Republican.
Mr. Howe married Florence Eaton, daughter of William Eaton, a successful business man and highly respected citizen of West Arlington, Vt. Her father's people were natives of Vermont, and her mother's family were from the South. She is a graduate of the State Normal School at Albany, attended the Emerson School of Oratory, Boston, and was a successful teacher previous to her marriage. Of this union there are sons, Eugene S. and Carroll E., and a daughter Marion. Mr. and Mrs. Howe are members of the Dutch Reformed church.