Prosser, Col. William Farrand.  "A History of the Puget Sound Country, Its
Resources, Its Commerce and its People."  Vol. 2. New York and Chicago: Lewis
Publishing Co., 1903.  p. 214.
 
ALVAH B. HOWE

     Among the successful and prominent business men of Pierce county is Alvah
B. Howe, president of the Pioneer Bindery & Printing Company of Tacoma. This
company was incorporated by Mrs. Phebe A. Howe and her three sons, and the
present officers are: Alvah B. Howe, president; Mortimer Howe, vice president,
and William Howe, secretary. The mother is a native of Cayuga county, New York,
and as early as 1877 she came to the Pacific coast, where in a small way she
engaged in the book-binding and printing business in Walla Walla, Washington.
After nine years spent in that city she removed in 1887 to Tacoma and resumed
her former occupation, and in 1889, with her three sons as stockholders,
incorporated the Pioneer Bindery and Printing Company. The sons were all trained
to this business from early life, thus being thoroughly familiar with every
detail connected therewith, and they now manufacture all kinds of blank books,
bank, county and office supplies and do a general job printing business. Their
close attention to business and honorable methods have won for them a large and
profitable patronage, their trade now extending over the entire northwest and
into Alaska, and they have all the machinery and appliances necessary for the
highest grade of work, and are justly deserving of the extensive patronage which
they are now enjoying.
     The Howe brothers were all born in Cayuga county, New York, and the date of
our subject's birth was the 8th of March, 1872. All received their educations in
the public schools of Walla Walla and Tacoma, Washington, and as stated above
have become thoroughly acquainted with every detail connected with the printing
and binding business. Mrs. Howe is entitled to the highest credit for the
founding and subsequent growth of this business, and also for the training of
such a trio of accomplished young business men. Alvah B. Howe was married in
1893, Miss Marion Courtenay becoming his wife, and one little daughter has been
born to brighten and bless their home, Marion C. The three brothers give their
political support to the Republican party, and in his fraternal relations our
subject is a member of the Masonic order, the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks and the Knights of Pythias. They are numbered among the leading and
substantial business men of Pierce county, and have earned and retained the
confidence and esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances.


*******************

Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in October 2008 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.