Elbert Howes

Born in Brewster, NY, one of 13 children. In his youth, traveled with his father’s circus, and later went to England with his uncle Seth’s Great United States Circus, 1857. Active in the procurement of exotic animals for the concern; in Ceylon, acquired “some of the finest elephants ever exhibited”; 1871, became proprietor (with Egbert), Howes’ Great London Circus, a management which continued until James E. Kelley and Henry Barnum took over sometime in 1873. This ended Elbert’s circus activity. He settled in Brewster and focused attention toward politics; but an ambition to become a member of the New York State Assembly was never fulfilled. Occupied a 5 year position of town supervisor and, following, was the gate keeper of the Drewville Reservoir. Married Caroline Tanner of Danbury, CT, 1856. Following her death, 1867, married Melissa Tillotson

Seth B. Howes seems to hove gone into semi-retirement after he sold his Great European to the Flatfoots and left the active management of his later circuses to his twin nephews, Elbert Howes and Egbert Howes. These nephews were two of the thirteen children of Nathan A. Howes, older brother of Seth and also an early circus manager. Seth B., himself, lived until 1901 and died a wealthy man. The Clipper for February 12, 1870, tells us that Egbert Howes, under an engagement to Seth B., had sailed recently for England to start another circus there under the Howes & Cushing title as the show was known in 1857-63. Later issues of the Clipper substantiate that they opened in Liverpool on the 19th of March and were out at least through September.