HOWE, SAMUEL L., deceased; was born in Vermont in 1808; in 1818, moved with his parents to Licking Co., Ohio; he early resolved to gain a liberal education, defrayed the greater part of his expenses through Athens University, by cutting wood and doing other work about the institution; he was not ashamed to work and the discipline and habit of his school days left an impress upon his character which marked his after life; after completing his literary studies, he turned his attention to the study of law; soon abandoned this and began teaching, as more in keeping with his tastes; in Ohio, he was very successful, and established a good reputation as an educator. In the autumn of 1841, removed to Iowa and settled on a farm three miles east of Mt. Pleasant; the following winter taught in a log school house; in 1849, he removed into the village and opened a school in the old log jail, and afterward taught in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church building; about this time inaugurated his high school and female seminary; of this school , he was Principal during the remainder of his life. In the school which he established at Lancaster, Ohio, General and Senator Sherman were among his pupils, and during his famous march to the sea, in 1864, in conversation with Gen. George A. Stone, Gen. Sherman said: "Prof. Howe I consider to be the best teacher in the United States; nay more," he added with peculiar emphasis, "I am more indebted to him for my first start in life then to any other man in America." But recently ex-Gov. Saunders, of Nebraska, now United Senator, wrote to Mr. Howe's son: "It is to the kindness of your father that I am indebted for much of my success in life." While teaching at Lancaster, Ohio, Mr. Howe published a treatise on Grammar, entitled Howe's Philotaxian Grammar; this manual was reprinted in Chicago in 1871, and again in Detroit in 1874, and it is now widely adopted in the schools throughout the country. Mr. Howe was superintendent of the schools of Henry Co. for several terms, and resigned that office a few weeks prior to his death; his life was not solely devoted to educational interests; every worthy cause found in him ardent support. In 1849, the first Antislavery paper in Iowa was established, called "The Iowa Freeman." Identifying himself with this paper, Mr. Howe soon acquired exclusive control, removed the office to his own building, changed the name to The Iowa True Democrat, and for several years issued it as an Antislavery sheet; he was one of the leaders of the Free-Soil Party in Iowa, and an eloquent advocate of woman's suffrage, of temperance and of the abolition of the death penalty, and fought with his might the land monopoly. Before attaining his majority, in 1829, he married Miss Charlotte Perrin; they had nine children--Oscar P., Elizabeth W., Warrington P., Edward P., Hayward H., Mary Frances, Samuel L., Seward C. and Cora Belle; all but two survive to comfort and cheer the declining years of their widowed mother. Mr. Howe was for many years a consistent member of the Congregational Church, and when on Feb. 15, 1877, he laid down the armor in which he had so nobly fought the battles of this life, it could be truly said of him that a victor had passed to his reward. The school in which Mr. Howe labored he left to the charge of his son, Seward C. Howe, who was trained by his father with special reference to this work; under his able management Howe's High School and Female Seminary will undoubtedly maintain its present high reputation and prosperity.
From "The History of Henry County, Iowa.
Containing a History of the County, its Cities, Towns and Census."
Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879.

HOWE, SAMUEL L., deceased; was born in Vermont in 1808; in 1818, moved with his parents to Licking Co., Ohio; he early resolved to gain a liberal education, defrayed the greater part of his expenses through Athens University, by cutting wood and doing other work about the institution; he was not ashamed to work and the discipline and habit of his school days left an impress upon his character which marked his after life; after completing his literary studies, he turned his attention to the study of law; soon abandoned this and began teaching, as more in keeping with his tastes; in Ohio, he was very successful, and established a good reputation as an educator. In the autumn of 1841, removed to Iowa and settled on a farm three miles east of Mt. Pleasant; the following winter taught in a log school house; in 1849, he removed into the village and opened a school in the old log jail, and afterward taught in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church building; about this time inaugurated his high school and female seminary; of this school , he was Principal during the remainder of his life. In the school which he established at Lancaster, Ohio, General and Senator Sherman were among his pupils, and during his famous march to the sea, in 1864, in conversation with Gen. George A. Stone, Gen. Sherman said: "Prof. Howe I consider to be the best teacher in the United States; nay more," he added with peculiar emphasis, "I am more indebted to him for my first start in life then to any other man in America." But recently ex-Gov. Saunders, of Nebraska, now United Senator, wrote to Mr. Howe's son: "It is to the kindness of your father that I am indebted for much of my success in life." While teaching at Lancaster, Ohio, Mr. Howe published a treatise on Grammar, entitled Howe's Philotaxian Grammar; this manual was reprinted in Chicago in 1871, and again in Detroit in 1874, and it is now widely adopted in the schools throughout the country. Mr. Howe was superintendent of the schools of Henry Co. for several terms, and resigned that office a few weeks prior to his death; his life was not solely devoted to educational interests; every worthy cause found in him ardent support. In 1849, the first Antislavery paper in Iowa was established, called "The Iowa Freeman." Identifying himself with this paper, Mr. Howe soon acquired exclusive control, removed the office to his own building, changed the name to The Iowa True Democrat, and for several years issued it as an Antislavery sheet; he was one of the leaders of the Free-Soil Party in Iowa, and an eloquent advocate of woman's suffrage, of temperance and of the abolition of the death penalty, and fought with his might the land monopoly. Before attaining his majority, in 1829, he married Miss Charlotte Perrin; they had nine children--Oscar P., Elizabeth W., Warrington P., Edward P., Hayward H., Mary Frances, Samuel L., Seward C. and Cora Belle; all but two survive to comfort and cheer the declining years of their widowed mother. Mr. Howe was for many years a consistent member of the Congregational Church, and when on Feb. 15, 1877, he laid down the armor in which he had so nobly fought the battles of this life, it could be truly said of him that a victor had passed to his reward. The school in which Mr. Howe labored he left to the charge of his son, Seward C. Howe, who was trained by his father with special reference to this work; under his able management Howe's High School and Female Seminary will undoubtedly maintain its present high reputation and prosperity.
From "The History of Henry County, Iowa.
Containing a History of the County, its Cities, Towns and Census."
Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879.