1368 Waller (built by Lester for his bride) 

John “Johnie” Newton Howe (1918-1979) 

Chester Malcolm Howe (1920-1974) 

Lester was born 7 Mar 1889 in Oregon to Motier and Martha Ellen “Mattie” (Cook) Howe. His ancestors were early Oregon settlers. His father came to Oregon around 1850 at the age of 3. His mother was born in Turner, Oregon. His mother’s parents took up a donation land claim in Turner in 1845. Lester’s parents ran the general store in Turner called Robertson grocery for many years. 

By 1905 the family had moved to 1351 Waller. Lester’s father is farming. Lester and Chester are both working for Curtiss Lumber Co. They are sixteen, boarding with their parents. The lumber business would be part of Lester’s life but he also worked at the woolen mill as a finisher. 

Lester and Chester were both finisher’s in 1907. So was Christine Miller who would later become Lester’s wife. Lester was president of the new Salem Woolen Mills baseball team in 1909 and enjoyed playing. Lester is working in a chair factory and lumber yard during this time as well. 

Lester Marion Howe married Christine Miller on 22 July 1914 in a simple home ceremony held at 1368 Waller St., a home built by Lester for his bride. He was 25 years of age, and she was 28. The couple started their family and would have three sons. Their first born son only lived 12 hours and was not named. He was buried in Shelburn, OR.  

The other sons were John Newton “Johnie” and Chester Malcolm Howe. They married, lived full lives, and are buried in Salem, OR. 

Lester continued to work at the woolen mill for the year after their marriage. Then he focused on work in the lumber industry. First as a laborer at a saw mill in Mill City and later as a tallyman in a lumber yard in Salem. 

Lester died 13 Oct 1922 in Salem, after only eight years of marriage. He was 33 years old and left Christina with their two young sons. She went back to work for the woolen mill in order to support her family and remained at the mill until 1947. She then switched to cannery work. She died 24 Sept 1977 in a local nursing home in Salem.  

Both Lester and Christine are buried in Miller Cemetery, in Scio, OR. A cemetery built on her grandfather’s land claim. Many members of her family are buried there. 

1907 Howe IM “LM”, finisher Thomas Kay Woolen Mill Co 

          Howe Lester M, bds 1351 Waller (father’s res with twin Chester) 

1910 Howe IM “LM”, finisher Thomas Kay Woolen Mill Co 

          Howe Lester M, bds 1351 Waller (father’s res with twin Chester) 

1911 Howe, Lester M, tmstr Curtiss Lumber Co, bds 1351 Waller   

1915 Howe Lester M (Christine), finisher TKWM Co, res 1368 Waller 

          Howe, Christine Mrs., finisher TKWM Co, res 1368 Waller 

 1910: Lester Howe. Age 21. Birth Date 1889 in Oregon. Address: Waller Street, Salem, OR. Single, Son of HOH. Father born in Illinois. Mother born in Oregon. Occupation: Sawyer, Chair factory. Additional household members: Matier Howe (HOH – father), Mattie E Howe (mother), Hattie Schaum (sister), Chester Howe (twin brother), Mona Schaum (niece). 

1920.  Lester M Howe. Age: 30. Birth Year: 1890 in Oregon. Address: 1368 Waller St. Salem, OR. Married, HOH. Father born in Illinois. Mother born in Oregon. Occupation: Tallyman, lumberyard. Additional household members: Christine M Howe (wife), John N Howe (son). 

Address: 1 B. St, Silverton, Marion, Oregon.   Draft Board: 2 

Physical Build: Medium. Height: 5-10 ¾. Hair: Brown. Eyes: Blue 

 Christine Miller Howe. Birth: 23 Nov 1889 in Shelburn, Linn County, OR. Death: 24 Sep 1977 (aged 87) in Salem, Marion County, OR. Burial: Miller Cemetery in Scio, Linn County, OR. Memorial ID: 71889237 

Statesman Journal 23 Jul 1914, p 4. Married 

Oregon Statesman 26 Jul 1914, p 11. Marriage of Christine Miller – Lester Marion Howe 

Oregon Statesman 15 Oct 1922, p 5. Obituary – Lester M Howe 

Oregon Statesman 28 Sep 1977, p 34. Obituary – Christine Miller Howe