James Howden, nitro-glycerine chemist

From: "Andy Paterson" apat5015@bigpond.net.au

Do you know the place and date of birth of James Howden, the Pacific Central Railroad chemist who did on-site production of nitro-glycerine, thus reducing accidents and speeding progress of tunnelling? I understand he died in San Francisco on 6 February 1874 but the obituaries are silent on his place and date of birth.

I have checked with Sacramento Public Library (who found his date of death) and the History Room at California State Library, which had only the same information as the Sacramento Public Library.

—Andy Paterson, Sydney, Australia