Family background
Joseph Howe was born in 1855, son of Thomas Howe and Esther. In 1879 he married Catherine Louisa Ready at Glebe. There were five sons and two daughters of the marriage. He died at Griffith on 1 December 1935, aged 80 years. Catherine Howe died on 24 April 1942, aged 82 years.
Occupation & interests
Joseph Howe set up as a produce merchant in Old Parramatta Road (Arundel Street) and Short Street Forest Lodge and traded from there for about 30 years.
Community activity
Howe stood unsuccessfully for Forest Lodge ward in 1884 and 1892. The Glebe LEL, formed in 1891, considered nominating a candidate for the 1894 Glebe municipal elections, and though it failed to do so, the LEL threw their support behind Joseph Howe who gained a seat on G;ebe Council. The Howe family including Joseph and William, had a long association with the Glebe Rugby Union Club between from the 1880s to 1903. Forward Bill ‘Mother’ Howe was captain of the Glebe first XV in the Sydney district competition in 1903.
Local government service
Joseph Howe moved in 1897 that preference for employment in Glebe borough be given to residents of the borough. Glebe Council supported the motion, and Mayor Cary noted he always accepted the lowest tender.
References
Sydney Morning Herald, 9 February 1884, p. 2
Sydney Morning Herald, 9 February 1892, p. 6
Sydney Morning Herald, 2 June 1894, p. 7
Sydney Morning Herald, 7 January 1897, p. 6
Sydney Morning Herald, 3 December 1935, p. 8