George Augustus Howe

George Augustus Howe, a well known and influential citizen of Washington County, was born in Belpre, Oct. 1, 1838, on the old Howe homestead where he has spent his life. His grandfather, Captain Perley Howe, was a native of Killingsley, Conn, and was one of the early settlers in Belpre. He married Persis, daughter of General Rufus Putnam, in 1798. He was commissioned Captain of the First Brigade, Third Division, of Washington County Militia, in 1803. At the time of Aaron Burr's Conspiracy his Company stood guard, and Captain Howe was a juror in the case. He was a teacher for many years, first in the old Stockade at Marietta, and later at Belpre, and often called "Master Howe." He was one of the founders of the Belpre Congregational Church and the first Deacon, an office he held until his death in 1855, at the age of eighty-eight. His son, Rufus William Howe, was born and spent his life on the Howe farm. In his youth he attended Marietta Academy and boarded in the family of his grand-father, Gen. Rufus Putnam. He married Lucy Eastman in 1833. She died September 22, 1834. He married for his second wife, Polly Proctor of Watertown, who was the mother of four children: viz. Joseph Perley, George, Augustus, Rufus William and Persis Putnam. He was a faithful member of the Congregational Church and being gifted as a musician he served as chorister forty-four years. He died July 24th, 1865.

George Augustus Howe, the second son of Rufus William, is the only member of the family now living. Besides the home schools he was educated in Amesville Academy. Plans were perfected for him to enter the law office of Judge Greene at Marietta, but the untimely death of the latter and the failing health of his father made it necessary for him to abandon this cherished hope, and he entered into partnership with his father on the farm.

When President Abraham Lincoln called for Volunteers at the beginning of the Civil War, 1861, Mr. Howe first entered the service, as a member of the Ohio National Guards, Company A, 46th Regiment, and served on guard duty for three months, after which he was honorably discharged. When President Lincoln issued another call for 200,000 men he again left his crops and aged father, and became a member of Co. H, 148 Regiment, Ohio Volunteers, serving faithfully as Corporal, until honorably discharged, September 14, 1864. Only four of one hundred and ten men in his company still survive. Mr. Howe was married
to Charlotte Ann Wyatt, of Amesville, October 25, 1865. To them were born five children, Charlotte Wyatt, Mary Emily, Persis Putnam, also Blanche and Jessie who died in infancy; the others still survive. Mrs. Howe died November 5, 1878 and several years later Mr. Howe married Mary Stella Vance Chapman of College Hill, Hamilton County, Ohio, who was very active in the work of the Congregational church and president of its Missionary Society until her death in 1904. Mr. Howe has been a life long and active member and supporter of the Congregational Church and served as one of the Trustees until failing health prevented him from performing this service.

For several years he has been a "shut in" during most of the Winter months but he has a wide reputation for never failing cheerfulness and genuine old time hospitality, and is always interested and willing to aid in whatever makes for the betterment of his fellow men. Mr. Howe died August 10, 1919, while this book was in press.

Source: A History of Belpre, Washington County, Ohio, by C. E. Dickinson, 1920, Transcribed by C. Anthony