An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company, Spokane, WA. 1905, pages 246-247. MRS. ALMA L. HOWE is too well known in the Hood River country to need an introduction but on account of what she has been and what she is, a review of her life will be very interesting to all. She is the proprietor of the Cottage Farm which lies a mile and one-half from the town of Hood River and is one of the ideal spots in the great Columbia valley. She was born in Marion county, Oregon, on June 7, 1860, the daughter of Isaac N. and Harriet (Millsap) Lawrence, natives of Missouri. The father died in 1886 in Knappton, Washington, and the mother died in Marion county, Oregon. The father crossed the plains in 1854 and the mother in 1855. He was one of the well known mill men of Oregon, building the first sawmill in East Portland. He did more than can be written to place the sawmilling industry upon its feet in Washington and Oregon in pioneer days. He was a man of great energy and stamina. When our subject was nine years of age the father moved to Portland and she was educated in the Portland schools. On September 8, 1878, at Portland, she married Samuel T. Howe, a native of Indiana. One child was born to this union, Hester A., a lady of culture and refinement. While still very young, Mrs. Howe learned the profession of a nurse and has followed it more or less since. Owing to adverse circumstances, she was obliged to support herself and daughter continuously. Owing to her courage and spirit, she accepted her lot with graciousness and has done a noble work as will be seen. In 1885, she bought forty acres where she now resides near Hood River. The place was only slightly improved, but as she was able a little each year she added improvements and today it is one of the model homes in the state of Oregon. In 1897, she sold twenty acres and since then has given her entire attention to the management of the twenty acres remaining. Fifteen acres of this are devoted to strawberries, while the other five produce clover, vegetables, and orchard. The farm is beautifully laid out and no better kept place can be found in the west. At first she did diversified farming, but as soon as the water for irrigation was provided she had the place planted as mentioned above. In 1894, Mrs. Howe erected a large house for the accommodation of summer boarders. The popularity of her place is well shown in that she since erected four cottages for the same purpose and now accommodates about thirty-five boarders during the summer months. Her place is most beautifully situated, overlooking the country for miles, is supplied with plenty of pure water and in every respect is as choice a place as can be found. The climate is healthful and invigorating and no word need be said in reference to the kindly care that Mrs. Howe takes of all her guests. In all the labors of the farm she has attended to the details and the direction entirely alone, having no male relatives to assist her. It speaks very highly of her ability and courage to undertake to carry on this great work and she certainly deserves the most unbounded success which she has earned. Mrs. Howe has one half-brother, Chester, deceased, and three sisters, Mrs. Mary L. Parmenter, Mrs. Alice J. Darling, and Mrs. Ella F. Baird. Mrs. Howe is a devoted member of the Methodist church and a liberal supporter of the faith. It is very interesting to know that Mrs. Howe has in her family a woman known as Indian Nellie, who is aged seventy and now entirely helpless on account of rheumatism. She is caring for this poor aged woman and expects to until her death, which is a true Christian work. Indian Nellie is the last of her family and is indeed a very pathetic creature. Mrs. Howe is highly esteemed by every person who knows her and receives the unbounded admiration and commendation of the entire Hood River country. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.