He was born in St. Vincent township, Grey County, Canada West, the son of Andrew Howe and Margaret Lyness, and was educated at the Ontario College of Pharmacy. In 1891, he married Arvilla Mary Andrews. Howe served five years as reeve of Thornbury, Ontario, and was also reeve of Point Grey, British Columbia. He was a member of the provincial cabinet, serving as Provincial Secretary (1928 to 1933) and as Minister of Mines (1933).[1] During World War I, Howe donated his yacht to the federal government for use in Haida Gwaii. He also donated two horses; one was used by Sir Arthur Currie. He died in Vancouver on February 13, 1939, at the age of 74.
The murals in the rotunda of the province's painted by George Henry Southwell were commissioned by Howe as Provincial Secretary.[2]
