Elliot C. Howe, 1828-1899 



By Charles II. Peck 



Elliot C. Howe was born at Jamaica, Vermont, February 14, 

 1828. Coming to New York in early life he received his academic 

 education in the academies of Troy and Lansingburg. Early in 

 hfe he gave indications of a love for natural science and turned his 

 attention to the study of geology, zoology and botany. Music 

 also received a share of his attention and pharmacy had attrac- 

 tions for him. This soon led him to the broader field of physiol- 

 ogy and medicine. He engaged in the study of medicine in 

 New York City and _while there did literary and reportorial work 

 for the New York Tribune, then under the management of its cele- 

 brated editor, Horace Greeley. After receiving the degree M.D. 

 he returned to Troy and commenced the practice of medicine. 

 Here he remained three years, giving in that time such attention 

 as he could to music and botany. He was leader of the choir of 

 the Fifth Avenue Methodist Church until he was induced to leave 



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Troy and enter the large and flourishing Charlottcville seminary 

 as teacher of music, physiology and botany. Charlotteville swamp 

 w^as in the vicinity of the seminary and it was soon made famous 

 by his discovery in it of tlie beautiful American Jacob's ladder, 

 PolcnwniuDi Van Bnuitiac Britton. This is the first known New 

 York locality for this plant which then was thought to be the 

 same as the European Polcuionmm cocruhiim L. The continua- 

 tion of this school was abruptly terminated by the accidental burn- 

 ing of the seminary building. Dr. Howe then accepted a position 

 in the Fort Edward Institute, where he taught music, botany and 

 German. Here he became acquainted with Miss Emily Z. Sloan 

 who was also a teacher in the institute and who afterward became 

 his wife. While here he made many friends and engaged vigor- 

 ously in the study of mosses. He also began the study of my- 

 cology and entered into correspondence with the late Rev. M. A. 

 Curtis, of North Carolina, who at that time was the chief devotee 

 and exponent of American mycology. Dr. Howe was the first 



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