Howe was also a descendant of Edmund Rice another early immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony[6][nb 1] He first learned to make shoes while working for a manufacturer named John W. Stevens.

On June 4, 1889, he purchased the "Diamond O" shop from C. L. & L. T. Frye and added it to his shoe manufacturing plant.

[8] In 1879, Howe was one of the original incorporators of People's National Bank, and was a member of the institutions Board of Directors.

[8][9] Throughout his life, Howe was regularly called upon to represent Marlborough at both the local and state political level.

[8] In his first and only legislation session as a member of the General Court, Howe served as the chairman of the Committee on Manufactures.

[8] He served on the Council during the administrations of Governors Roger Wolcott and Winthrop Murray Crane.