The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-13

He was an authority on taxation ques-
tions and received nationwide recog-
milton for his views regarding assess
ment and taxation problems. During
the last ten years he was frequently
before national taxation bodies and
many of the proposals which he had
urged regarding direct and indirect
tax questions had been enacted into
laws in Kansas and other states.
In Ill Health Some Time.
During the last few months Chair
man HoWe's health had broken badly.
He returned to Topeka several weeks
age following an assessment trip by
the state board and was compelled to
remain in his home several days on
account of his health. Worries over
state tax questions tended in a large
! Measure to bring about a nerve break
and the strain of the last two years
both as head of the state tax commits
sion and before legislature resulted in
his breakdown.
In the last half century. Chairman
Howe had been in public service al
most continuously. He served as sher-
iff of Marion county from 1871 to
1874. and from 1S74-79 was clerk of
the Marion county district court.
State Treasurer Four Years.
Concluding his first term as county
treasurer in 1881. Judge Howe was
nominated as state treasurer, which
office he entered at expiration of his
service as county treasurer. He held
the office of state treasurr four years.
retiring in 1885.
During the period from 1886 to 1895
Judge Howe was engaged in the real
estate business in Topeka. In 1894 he
was elected as member of the old
board of railroad commissioners for
the short one year term. The follow
ing year he was reelected for the
three year term. He served until the
PopuIists came into control in 1897
and Governor Leedy summarilY dis
missed al the Republican officials
whose terms were not fixed by statute.
When the state tax commission was
created in 1907 Judge Howe was Sc
lected by Governor Hoch as chairman
of the body. He was appointed for a
four year term and reappointed as
head of the commission by Governors
Stubbs. Hodges, Capper and Allen. His
work as head of the commission made
the Kansas taxation body one of the
most prominent in the nation
Judge Howe was born in Savan-
nah, Wayne county, New York, July
%, 1S4s. When a boy of 13 years
he tried to enter the Civil war, but
was forbidden by his father. In '63.
tho, he Joined the First Regime Mt
Ohio Militia which was considered a
home guard body. The next year. tho,
it was called into service. Judge
Howe-then a boy of Is years-had
gone into government service in Ala
bama and did not go with the troops
A year following, however, he was
permitted to join the Ohio Infantry
and became member of CO. B., 1S9th
Ohio Infantry and served with the
troops until the end of the war.
Came to Kansas In 1858.
He came to Kansas in 1858 and
lived in Leavenworth, Topeka. Bur
/, lington and Salina before moving to
Marion in 1870. He was married to
Clara Belle Fraser at Marion Decenl-
Der "a, 1876. He is survived by his
widow. five children-Fred L. Howe.
s. T. Howe, Jr.. W. f. Howe. Miss
Clare E. Howe and Mrs. J. G. Boyd
also three brothers.
Judge Howe was one of the organ
izers and a charter member of the
Foster Humane society, which was
formed in Topeka twenty-five years
ego. At the time of his death he was
ecretary-treasurer of the society,
hich office he had held since its
or1aniza ton.
Funeral arrangements have not
been made.