HOWES, Archie F.

HOWES, BEDFORD

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 1/18/2003 at 13:02:21

Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

ARCHIE F. HOWES.

Archie F. Howes is a representative of the railroad service, in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, and makes his home in Clinton. He was born in Aurora, Illinois, November 30, 1856, ands is a son of Philip Howes. With his parents he came to Clinton in 1859 and attended the public schools of the city until twelve years of age. The first money which he earned was by driving horses at the mills of Colonel Fairby, and later he worked in the mills for a short time. He was also employed on his father’s farm and subsequently secured a position as a farm hand at twenty dollars per month, being thus engaged until June, 1873, when he secured a position as fireman on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, acting in that capacity for seven years. His close application and fidelity then won him promotion to the position of engineer in 1880 and he made his first run to Belle Plaine. For four years previous to that time he had acted as fireman for Thomas Keefe on the passenger train running to Boone. In August, 1880, he took charge of a freight train to Belle Plaine, and in 1895 was tranferred to the run to Boone. In 1898 he was given charge of a passenger train, and in March, 1899, was made engineer on train No. 9, the fastest schedule train in the world. He has been very successful, never meeting with an accident in all his railway service.

In 1879 Mr. Howes was married to Emma L. Bedford, who was born in Minersville, Pennsylvania, in 1857. Her parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Howes now have one daughter, Mary F., who was born in 1881, and was graduated in the Clinton high school in June, 1901. She is now pursuing a special course in music. The family have a pleasant home in Clinton. Mr. Howes purchased a residence in 1885, but afterward sold it and has since erected a modern home with all the latest equipments and accessories. The Howes household is noted for its hospitality, and the members of the family occupy an enviable social position. Mr. Howes is a member of the Clinton Divison, No. 125, B. L. E., with which he has been identified since 1881. He also belongs to Emulation Lodge, No. 205, F. & A. M., and his wife belongs to the G. I. A., auxiliary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He contributes to the support of church work, and as a citizen is interested in everything pertaining to the general welfare. His financial success in life is due to his industry and indefatigable labor.