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Below is a family biography included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1898.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HENRY HOWES, a leading farmer and dealer in live stock of the town of Cuyler, was born June 6, 1857, at De Ruyter, Madison County, N. Y. He is a son of Le Roy H. and Mary J. (Rider) Howes, and a grandson of Zohar Howes. His great-grandfather was Ebenezer Howes, who came from Tolland, Conn., and settled in Madison County, N. Y., where he remained the rest of his life.

Zohar Howes was born January 1, 177 1, at Peterboro, Madison County, N. Y. In that locality he passed most of his life and followed the occupation of a farmer. He was an active member of the Baptist Church, of which he was a deacon; he was a regular attendant, and even the inclemency of the weather was not considered a sufficient excuse for his absence. His life-companion was before her marriage Lucy Whiting, a native of Peterboro, who was born January 17, 1781. As a result of this union, seven children were born, Le Roy being the youngest.

Le Roy H. Howes was born at Peterboro, May 30, 1819, and at the age of twenty-six years settled at De Ruyter. Besides farming, he speculated extensively in land, live stock, and hops. He was a man well and favorably known throughout the county. He was a Republican and took a deep interest in politics, but never aspired to office. September 10, 1840, he married Mary J. Rider, a daughter of Zenas Rider, who was a native and lifelong resident of De Ruyter. They reared a family of six children — five sons and one daughter. Mr. Howes passed away September 20, 1882, at the age of sixty-two years.

Henry Howes’ primary education was obtained in the district school, after which he attended the De Ruyter Institute. He was not yet sixteen when he began to teach school, but he proved a most efficient instructor. After teaching three terms he bought the book store owned by P. A. Burdick, and conducted this for about nine months. In the fall of 1876 he opened a store in De Ruyter for the sale of books, stationery, etc., and successfully carried this on for five years. March 8, 1882, he moved to the town of Cuyler, where he purchased an excellent farm of 300 acres, upon which he resided for the following fourteen years. He next moved to his present location on a farm east of Cuyler, where he has since resided. For the past twelve years, in connection with his farming, he has dealt extensively in live stock, doing a business of $40,000 per year. The farm upon which he lives consists of sixty acres of fine farm land, and is well supplied with good substantial buildings, necessary for carrying on his business.

Mr. Howes formed a matrimonial alliance with M. Delphine Baker, daughter of Lafayette Baker, a resident of Lincklaen, Chenango County, January 21, 1878. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children: Maud A.; and Helen Marguerite.

Our subject is a man of much prominence in politics, and is an unswerving supporter of the Republican party. He has faithfully filled many offices of trust, and has a large and pleasant acquaintance with the prominent men of the party throughout the state. In 1890, ‘91, and ‘92, he represented the town of Cuyler on the board of supervisors of the county. In 1894 he was honored by being made chairman of the Republican County Committee. He was the Independent Republican candidate for Member of Assembly in 1897. He is a man of intelligence and quickness of perception, well read and informed on all subjects of interest to the people, and is a pleasant speaker in public. He is a popular man, well spoken of by the press, and has all of the qualifications necessary for making a good representative. Socially, he is a member of the following lodges: De Ruyter Lodge, No. 692, F. & A. M.; Cortland Chapter, R. A. M.; Cortland Commandery, No. 50, K. T.; Cuyler Lodge, No. 701, I. O. O. F.; Cuyler Grange, No. 449, Patrons of Husbandry; and the De Ruyter Lodge of the A. O. U. W.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published in 1898. 

View additional Cortland County, New York family biographies here: Cortland County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Cortland County, New York here: Cortland County, New York Map

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