Albert E. Howe Papers

Albert Edward Howe (1886-1944) was coroner of Boulder County for several years and an active member of the community during his residence, including membership in the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, the Baptist Church, and Woodmen of the World. Born in St. John Province, New Brunswick, Canada on November 22, 1886, Howe was the youngest of a family of eight children. His father died when he was one year old and his mother died when he was seven. Following the death of his parents, Howe went to Boston, Massachusetts and was employed in his uncle’s furniture business until he moved to Colorado at the age of 21, in search of a drier climate and relief from tuberculosis. Howe settled on a homestead ranch in North St. Vrain Canyon, west of Lyons, where he raised vegetables that were carried by horse and buggy to Lyons and other mining towns. In the winters, he cut ice and delivered it to residents of Lyons during the summers. Howe married Lura McFadden at the Stone Church in Lyons on March 3, 1887 and had four daughters, Alberta, Virginia, Rose, Emma, and four sons, Norman, George, Theodore, and Carl. Howe was an active Republican and took part in community and county affairs as a member of the Lyons Town Council, a member of the School Board, and Deputy County Assessor. In 1904, Howe was elected County Assessor on the Republican ticket and was reelected in 1906. As a young man, Howe showed interest in the funeral business and assisted an undertaker in Boulder by the name of F.J. Bucheit. Upon the expiration of his second term in January of 1909, Howe moved his family to Boulder and joined the mortuary business with Benjamin A. Holley. Together, they purchased the interests of Bucheit and managed a mortuary under the name Holley and Howe on the main floor of the Odd Fellows Lodge Building at 16th and Pearl. Howe later purchased the interests of Holley. Howe was elected Boulder County Coroner in 1914 and served until 1934, succeeded by his son, George W. Howe, in this position. Norman later succeeded George in 1954. In 1919, Howe purchased Place’s Sanitarium at 2121 Broadway (previously 12th street) across from the First Congregational Church. This building had been constructed by W.P. Sale and was used as a hotel for many years prior to being converted to a sanitarium by Dr. O.G. Place. Howe converted the building to use as a mortuary, with upstairs living quarters for his family. This building was leveled in 1965 to make way for a city parking lot. In 1922, Howe constructed the Rose Mortuary at the corner of 11th and Spruce, specially building it for the sole purpose and requirements of the mortuary business. In 1925, Howe’s son, George, joined the firm and was followed by his brother, Norman, a year later. Carl and Theodore also began working at the firm later on. During his residence in Boulder, Howe served on the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce and was president of the board from 1923-1924. Howe also served in many capacities of the Baptist Church he attended, including trustee. He was a president of the Colorado Funeral Directors Association and was a member of the State Board of Embalmer Examiners from 1926-1939. Howe was very active in Fraternal Organizations. For twenty-three years, he was secretary of Woodman of the World in Boulder, an organization founded on the principles of relieving problems of financial security, and was succeeded in that office by his son, George. Howe was Worshipful Master of the Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons (Columbia Lodge 14) in 1912-13 and held office in other Masonic organizations, including the Eastern Star of which he was a worthy patron. Howe was a member of the York Rite Masonic Order of Boulder, of El Jebel Shrine, Denver, and of White Shrine. He was an Elk for thirty-four years in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and served as its Exalted Ruler. Howe was the Grand Noble of the Boulder Lodge of Odd Fellows. He was president and one of the oldest members of the Lions Club, before his death on March 6, 1944 at the age of 75.

A large portion of biographical information was retrieved from the Howe Mortuary website under “Our Heritage”. http://www.howemortuary.com/our_heritage.html