Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-03-15
DEATH OF g. l.. HOWE.
His Record ms n Photographer and IT'S
Love for Music

Love for Music. -
Caleb Lysander Howe, Brattleboro's
veteran photographer, and one of her old
est, best known and most highly respected
citizens, died at his Harris place home last
evening after an illness of two months.
Mr.. Howe was born i'm Dummerston i'm
September, 1911, being a son of Caleb and
Sophia Sheldon Howe and a lineal de-
scendant of Caleb Howe, who was killed
by the Indians in Vernon in pioneer DAYS.
His parents moved to Dover when he
was child, and he grew to manhood i'm
that town, although spending some time
with his brother-in-law, Capt. DRYDEN. at
Holden, Mass. Mr. Howe started in life
as farmer in Dover, but came to Brattle-
boro to work in the old rule factory, Bust
ness here was suspended during the panic
OF '37 and Mr. Howe returned to Dover.
He carried on farm there during the
summers and in winters taught singing
schools in nearly all the towns of the
county, until about 1850, when daguerreo-
type maker came to Dover with his car.
Mr. Howe showing great interest in the
process of picture making, the traveller Of
Tered TO sell him the business, and agreed
TO stay a week to teach Mr.. Howe the
work. The result was SALE but the tray
r.
Howe started in the new business without
further instruction For nearly five years
he travelled through southern Vermont and
into adjoining towns in New Hampshire.
In 1885 Mr., Howe went to North Adams.
Mass, where ne ran gallery year. The
following year he came to Brattleboro and
bought the gallery established by Mr.
Lowell The business has been carried on
continuously since that time Daguerreo-
types were superseded by ambrotypes or
sphereotypes, made on glass; about lSGO
the tintype came into vogue, shortly after
followed by the paper photograph, i'm which
wonderful Improvements have since been
made
During the Civil war, when so many
troops were stationed here, Mr. Howe's
business increased rapidly, and at that time
was the largest in the line ever done in the
state. The soldier boys would actually
stand in line from sunrise to sunset await
ing their turn to be photographed
Mr.. Howes studio was in the Cutler
block from 1856 to 1865, then in Union
block until 1880, and since that date in
Bank block. n. 5. Howe was intimately
associated with his father until 1872, when
his place was taken by his younger brother.
John {. Howe, who has been the fathers
partner since 1850.
Mr.. Howe's first wife was Cynthia Sher-
man, daughter of Deacon Nathan Sherman
of Dover. Five children were born to
them, of whom two survive-N. 5. Howe.
in the hotel business at Pawling, n. Y.
and Bermuda; and Miss jeanette Howe of
this village. The oldest son, George. died
in infancy; and the youngest, Frank at
about II years of age, in Wilmington. The
other son, Cyrus, who died at about Is.
exhibited wonderful musical gifts, and was
accustomed to accompany his father to
sing at public gatherings. The death of
the mother and of Cyrus occurred in Do
yer.
Mr.. Howe was married in 1877 To Mar
tina Is. Simonds, daughter of Deacon David !
Simonds of Peru, this state. She survives |
him with their five children-John c.,
above referred to; Alice, wife of +. +. |
Holloway of indianapolis; Lucien, the |
well-known musician; Fred, now in Ber- |
muda, and Mary (MIs. Lavin), the eminent |
singer, now abroad.
MI. Howe's love of music was his lead |
ing characteristic, and under a favorable |
environment he would undoubtedly have |
become famous as a musician. As it was,
he not only taught singing schools and |
started others on musical careers, but he
hau lhoIe lldu local reputation as sing
er In his early days his rich tenor voice
was heard at temperance meetings and
other public gatherings, and after coming
to this village he sang for years in the
choirs of the Congregational and Unver-
salist churches. The musical trait was
to all of his children and in
following their bent two of them-Lucien
and Mary-have achieved prominence. the
latter being the most famous singer Yer
mont has ever produced.
MIR. Howe was also possessed of strong
artistic perceptions, which accounted in a
large degree for the reputation his studio
has gained No better daguerreotypes or
lmbrotypes were ever made than by Mr..
Howe, aud since its establishment. his
studio has kept pace with all the develop
nents of the Photographic art. In his
business life he was man of the strictest
integrity. His business and his taste for
music absorbed his attention completely.
md he cared nothing for public honors.
lie was member of the Columbian Ma
onic lodge and regular attendant at the
church. The funeral will
'e held at the house Sunday afternoon at ,.