My Genealogy Hound

REV. FRANKLIN SHUMWAY HOWE, A. M. Among the professional men of Schuyler County, mention belongs to Mr. Howe, of Burdett, where he is widely known and highly esteemed as the pastor of the Presbyterian Church, and where his labors have been rewarded with abundant success.

A native of Vermont, our subject was born in Springfield, August 26, 1809. His parents were Joseph and Eunice (Smith) Howe, natives, respectively, of Framingham, Mass., and Springfield, Vt. When Franklin S. was a lad of about seven years they came to this state, making location at Bergen, Genesee County, and after a residence there of four years they removed to Riga, Monroe County, near the city of Rochester, where our subject grew to mature years, After pursuing his studies in the district schools he attended Oxford Academy and took a classical course in Rochester Institute, now known as Rochester University. This institute was then presided over by Gilbert Morgan, D. D., the well known Presbyterian divine. After his graduation in 1836, Mr. Howe taught in the academy at Canandaigua, N. Y., and two years later entered Auburn Theological Seminary, where he pursued the entire course. Four years thereafter he was granted a license to preach.

After completing his ministerial studies Rev. Mr. Howe was sent by the American Sunday school Union to the Gulf States, it being his duty to organize Sunday-schools, establish and collect funds. He was later made Financial Secretary of this body for the Western and Southern States, his headquarters being at Cincinnati. After two years thus engaged he was called to take charge of a congregation at Chillicothe, Ohio, of which he was the pastor for a period of five years. Previous to this, however, he preached at New Albany, Ind., for one year. His wife’s health began to fail while in the Buckeye State, and Mr. Howe returned to New York, where he was instrumental in establishing the church at West Hoboken, and one on One Hundred and Twenty-second Street, New York City. He became pastor of the Presbyterian Church on the corner of Sixth Street and Second Avenue, New York City, but his labors in the metropolis proved very arduous and he was not able to stand the strain. Accordingly he was compelled to resign his charge and go to the country, having charge of the church at Phelps for four and one-half years. In 1859 we find him located in Watkins, where he remained for eleven years. At the end of that time he was so broken down in health that he gave up all his pastoral duties and arranged his affairs to spend an indefinite time abroad. During the trip he visited England, Scotland, Holland, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. On fully regaining his health, once more returned to his native land, and after holding temporary charges at both Southport and Hector came to Burdett, in Schuyler County, where he now resides. He has made this section his home for the past fifteen years, for six of which he has been pastor of the church here. His good wife proved his efficient helpmate and tireless assistant in his labors for many years, and her kind words and gracious manners endeared her to a host of friends. Rev. Mr. Howe has been engaged in ministerial work for the past fifty-five years, and his name is known throughout the county as that of one of the noblest of his professional brethren.

When the New York State Grand Lodge of Masons secured the old college property at Havana, Mr. Howe was chosen Vice-President of the same, and a few months thereafter, the President retiring, he was made his successor. He devoted a great deal of his time and attention to this work, but it was later abandoned by the fraternity and his labors ceased. While in Ohio he was one of the Trustees of the college at Marietta, which institution in 1844 conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. While a resident of that place he established a temperance paper, which he conducted successfully for two or three years. He has always been an incessant worker, and has contributed many articles of interest and importance to the various religious journals and periodicals. While at Phelps Mr. Howe was instrumental in having the old church building remodeled, and also during his pastorate at Watkins he pushed forward the work of the church and built up a congregation which has since added to its numbers until it is now the largest in the place.

The marriage of Rev. Mr. Howe and Miss Clara Pierson occurred in New York City in 1841. The lady was the daughter of Dr. Charles E. Pierson, Professor of one of the medical colleges of that city. This lady survived her marriage seven years, passing away while her husband was pastor of the Presbyterian Church in New York City. In September, 1854, in Brooklyn, Mr. Howe was married to Miss Martha R. Stewart, who departed this life in Burdett, April 17, 1893. His union with Miss Pierson resulted in the birth of a son, Franklin Pierson, who died when two years old, and his portrait, which was painted by a celebrated artist, now hangs on the walls of the old home.

During the late war, although not being accepted as a volunteer, Mr. Howe assisted the Union cause greatly by raising troops. He is a Republican at national elections, otherwise is independent, reserving the right to vote for the man whom he regards as the best, independent of party. He is the possessor of a magnificent library, containing both religious and miscellaneous works, and keeps himself well informed regarding new doctrines which are put forth. Mr. Howe is often called upon to assist his fellow clergymen, and he also frequently has other professional duties to perform.