Howse, Albert Elgin

Born in Grimsby Ontario July 12, 1855 and passed away December 18 or 19, 1938. Age 83. Nicola Valley Historicla Quarterly Vol. 3. No. 1 Jan. 1980 Article by Alan James. Settled in Nicola in 1877 and came to Princeton in 1900’s. Had four stores in varius places (Merritt, Nicola, Princeton); Flour mill and sawmill interests. In 1930 his business was owned by the Princeton Mercantile Co. Member of the Sim. Hist. Assn. in 1933. Elected Vice-Pr. fro 1933. Listed Provincial Dir. 1882 Native Agent. See picture album Princeton Pionner Days Green album. P.975.47 Picture of the first A.E. Howse store, burnt down in 1904. Also 3 other pictures, 1 exterior, 2 interior (Undated). The Nicola Roller Flour Mill was built by Mr. A.E. Howse, a buisnessman of Nicola, a tiny Village at the foot of Nicola Lake. The new mill replaced the old mill that John Clapperton had op. since 1872. on Clapperton Creek. (Grist Mill) Run by a 28h.p. 26.5 Lefille Turbine wheel powered by water taken from Nicola Lake. The farmers gave Mr. Howse a $1500 bonuss for constructing the mill and providinga market for the grain. Bldgs. and equiptment cost $14,200. Produced 20 barrels of flour a day. See also Co. 1. W.H Merritt intereset in Coal and Railway Co. in Merritt Obit Dec. 8/38 Sim. Star Grandfather of A.E. Howse was a clerk at ft. Langley in early days – not verified