Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 73

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

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where he and his family Ilved until he erected a log house, and the latter sheltered them sev- eral years before it was replaced hy a more commodious and pretentious structure. Mr. Howard made purchases of land for twenty dollars per acre, for twenty-five dollars, and later for larger amounts, paying fifty dollars per acre for an entire section and seventy-five dollars per acre for a half-section. All this land is now worth many times what he paid for it, and he has one of the finest estates in the connty, being one of the largest landowners of his part of the State. His home place is on Sections 29 and 30. He has always kept up good fences where needed and has erected fine buildings for honsing his stock and other pnr- poses. He and his sons have laid many hnn- dreds of rods of tiling and in all ways improved the place and brought it to a high state of cnl- tivation and productiveness. They raise large numbers of cattle, horses, hogs and sheep, and also give inch attention to varions kinds of grain.

Mr. Howard's marriage occurred in Spring- field in 1858, when he was united with Miss Mary McCue, and of the five children born to them three are now living : Patrick J. follows farming on the home place, married Lanra Bnckles aud they have six children-Marie, Josephine, Rnth, John. Charles and Paul ; Michael James, a sketch of whom appears iu this work, married Margaret E. Clarke aud they have six children; Mary married Hugh McCormick and they have five children-Kate, Howard, Hugh, Thomas, and Winnie. Patrick J. Howard was born in Christian County. was reared on a farm, and attended Notre Dame (Indiana ) University for two years. He is a muemher of the Board of Supervisors.

Mr. Howard cast his first presidentlal vote for James Buchanau in 1856, and has since been a stanch and enthusiastic Democrat. He has always been much Interested in the cause of education and served for twenty years as a member of the school board. He contributed generously toward the erection of the house of worship of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Paw- nee, which he has helped since to support, and has also been active in the interests of other churches in the section. He is pre-eminently a self-made man, and has always had the sincere respect and esteem of his fellow citizens, who have recognized his zeal for the welfare aud de- velopment of the community and his high char- acter and integrity in all his dealings. He has displayed a high order of intelligence and abil- ity in building up his fortunes and was able to retire from active work many years since. The work which he began has been ahly carrled for- ward hy his two sons, who have taken a promni- nent part in the life of the township.

HOWARD, Thomas D., a representative and highly esteemed citizen of Springfield, IIl., was born in London, England, May 1, 1830, son of Daniel and Harriet (Walker) Howard, hoth

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natives of England. The father was reared in Suffolk County, England, and as a young man went to Loudon to seek his fortune, spending about twenty-five years In that city, where he became a corn chandler, and he speut his last days in Swansea, Glamorganshire, South Wales, retired from active life. The grandfather of Thomas D. Howard was a farmer and lived all his life in England, attaining the age of ninety- four years.

The childhood of Thomas D. Howard was spent in London where he was educated. He was fond of cricket and other outdoor games, and was reared to temperate habits. He became clerk in a store after leaving school and in 1850, ac- tuated by the same spirit which had impelled his father to leave home, emigrated to the United States, where he became a patriotic and useful citizen of his adopted country. He landed at New York, and worked awhile in that state and traveled some, aud in 1852 removed to Ohio. Later he came to Illinois iu 1856 and began work in a bakery, for John Cavanaugh, in Springfield, Ill., leaving this occupation in 1861 to enter the army.

Mr. Howard enlisted, at Camp Butler, Ill., September 20, 1861, in Compauy D, Thirty- third Illinois Infantry, under Captain Pope, serving three years and being mustered out at Camp Butler, October 15, 1864. He has a good record as a soldier who performed his cvery duty, aud participated in many battles, among them being Cottou Plant, Helena, Pilot Knob ; sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss. He was never wounded nor taken prisoner. He belongs to Stephenson Post G. A. R.

October 20, 1861, Mr. Howard was married, in Springfield, 111., to Mary A. Strickland, a native of Springfield, born June 1, 1841, daughter of John S. and Mary Strickland. The ancestor of the Strickland family in America settled in Mas- sachusetts and oue of Mrs. Howard's ancestors participated in the Revolutionary War. Four children were born to Mr. Howard and his wife, namely : John D., Thomas S., Harriet W. and Mary W. The family reside at 1517 North Fifth Strect, where they have a very comfortable home. Mr. Howard has been employed twenty- seven years by the Illinois Watch Company and now holds the position of watchman or door- keeper. He has the good will and friendship of all the eight hundred employes of the com- pany and has the confidence and trust of hls employers. He is a man who has lived in such a manner that he has no enemies and has won many warm personal friends. He is a member of the United Brethren Church aud in politics is a Republican. He is always interested in every public enterprise which he believes will promote the general welfare of the city and is the friend of progress.

HOWARD, William Michael .- The building operations of Springfield, which have resulted in the present substantial elty, known all over the couutry, have afforded ample opportunity for

the euergy aud ability of those eugaged in all lines relating to them, and a man who has bene- fited by these conditions is William Michael Howard, a carpenter and contractor of No. 2034 East Washington Street, Springfield. He was born in Milford, O, May 7, 1852, being a son of George L and Vinle (Turner) Howard, the "former of whom came to Springfield from Ohio and there carried on his trade of haruessmaking. He died at the home of Mr. Howard, at the age of seventy-nine years, aud his wife passed away many years before in Springfield. The children born to them were: Kate, Mrs. Thomas Graham, of Oklahoma ; Rachel, Mrs. James Smith of Ar- kansas; Emeline, deceased; George of Arkan- sas; James and William M.

When Willlam M. Howard was a small boy the family came to Springfield, and there he at- tended school and later learned bridge building, following this calling for years. He then be- came a carpenter aud contractor, and, with the able assistance of his wife, has become very suc- cessful, his contracts extending over a wide territory. He is noted for his faithfulness iu carrying out the terms of his contracts and for his close estimates.

On February 9, 1893, Mr. Howard was married in Springfield, to Mrs. Mary H. Belt, widow of J. W. Belt, and a daughter of John Giberson. She was born in Greene County, south of Carroll- ton, Ill., November 29, 1852. Her father died when she was ten years old, and she lived with her widowed inother, working out among the farmers and doing housework at small wages, which helped to assist at home, tenderly caring for her mother until the latter dled, In 1879. She was oue of the following children : Samuel and Benjamin, deceased ; Susan, Mrs. J. W. Top- ton of Eldred, Ill .; Sarah, Mrs. Matthew Cock- rell. of St. Louis ; Joseph, deceased ; Mrs. Howard and Hannah, Mrs. Thomas Hargett of Carroll- ton, Ill. Benjamin Gibson, the grandfather of Mrs. Howard, was a native of either Maryland or New Jersey, who settled in Greene County, Ill., where he made a specialty of raising fine horses. His wife was of Pennsylvania stock. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Howard, Mr. Prough, was a soldier in the American Re- volution.

In the fall of 1880 Mrs. Howard went to St. Louis and was married in that city, February 23, 1881, to James W. Belt, following which the young couple came to the Herndon farin near Springfield, where Mr. Belt died in 1891. Mrs. Howard is extremely fond of horses and is an accomplished horsewoman. Whlle Mr. and Mrs. Howard have no children of their own, she adopted her sister's son George H. IIargett, born October 3, 1881, taking him when he was four years old. She has sent him to the Plea- sant Hill School and has given him many op- portunities. so that he is now one of the popular teachers in Springfield. Mrs. Howard belongs to the Court of Honor, as does Mr. Howard, who is also a member of the Modern Woodmen. They belong to the Christian Church, and are

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liberal supporters of its good work. In politics Mr. Howard is a Republican. Both he and his wife have many friends in the vicinity, and are held in high esteem by all who know them.

HOWARD, William W. (deceased), a highly re- spected citizen of Clear Lake Township, Sanga- mon County, carried on a farm there for many years and spent most of his life in the connty. He was a veteran of the Civil War and was prominent in local Grand Army circles. Mr. Howard was born in Indiana April 10, 1831, and was a son of Sanderson Howard and wife, both natives of the same State. The parents were early settlers of Clear Lake Township and spent the remainder of their lives on a farm there. They were parents of four sons and three daughters, and a son aud a daughter are now living : David, of Havana, Ill., and Mrs. Margaret Pates, of Missouri.

During boyhood Mr. Howard wokred on his father's farm and attended the neighboring dis- trict school. During the Civil War he enlisted from Camp Butler in Company B. One Hundred Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving three years and participating in many battles. At the close of his term of service he was dis- charged at Camp Butler and resumed work on the home farm. He purchased the farm on Section 4. Clear Lake Township, now owned and oc- cupied by his widow, and brought it to a good state of cultivation. He was a successful far- mer and had a good standing in the commun- ity, proving himself a kind neighbor and friend, as well as a good husband and father. He be- longed to the Methodist Church and in politics was a Republican.

Mr. Howard was married in Springfield, Ill., May 10, 1869, to Mrs. Sarah C. (Dixon) Work- man, whose father, Joseph Dixon, was an early settler of Sangamon County, where he carried on farming until his death, he and his wife be- ing parents of three sons and three daughters. of whom three children now survive. Sarah C. Dixon was married (first) to Edward Workman, the union taking place in Springfield in 1852. He was a native of Sangamon County and to him and his wife one son was born. William, now in the employ of the Missouri Valley Inter- urban Railway Company, and a resident of Springfield. Mr. Workman met his death through an accident. To Mr. and Mrs. Howard two sons and one daughter were born: Jolin, of Springfield : James, of Athens, Ill., and Sylvia, wife of Charles King, of Riverton. Mr. Howard died on his farm, July 25, 1906. He was a member of Stephenson Post No. 30 G. A. R. and was missed in many eircles. Mrs. Howard has taken three little boys to rear and has always treated them as her own.

HOWENSTINE, Henry (deceased) .- Those who became interested in the handling of stock in sonthern Illinois in the earlier days, reaped large profits, and were the forerunners of the present extensive stock business of Sangamon

County. One of the pioneers in this line, and one who was more than ordinarily successful, was the late Henry Howenstine, for some years a retired resident of No. 203 West Carpenter Street, Springfield. He was born in Switzer- land, August 17, 1828, a son of John and Bar- bara (Becker) Howenstine, natives of Switzer- land and Germany, respectively. The father was a miller. The parents never left Enrope.

Henry Howenstine went to school in Switzer- land, but having learned of the opportunities in America, came here in 1853, landing in New York City, where after a short stay, he heard of Connectiont. and left for that State. This did not snit him, however, and he returned to New York City, and went from there to Sche- nectady, N. Y. None of these places came up to his ideas, and so he came west, living in Chicago for a short time, but in 1854, reached Springfield, which continued his home until his demise. He began handling cattle, buying and shipping them in carload lots, also shipping them to London, going with his cargo, making the round trip seven times. His busi- ness was an arduous one. and made heavy de- mands upon his time and strength so that in 1905. lie decided to retire. and enjoyed his well- earned rest. He belonged to St. John's Lutheran Church of Springfield. In politics, he was a Republican. but never sought office.

Mr. Howenstine was married in Springfield, January 1, 1865, to Barbara Baker, born in Germany, April 12, 1838. She was two years old when brought to America by her parents. They settled on a farm in Sangamon County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Howenstine never had any chil- dren. Her death occurred May 10. 1906. In addition to his pleasant home, Mr. Howenstine owned other property in the city. His lot has a frontage of 150 feet, and he always enjoyed the space thus afforded him. During his long residence in Sangamon County, he witnessed many remarkable changes, and held firm to his helief in the future of Springfield, not only as the center of State government, but as an in- dustrial home for some of the large corporations of the State.

HOWETT, James (deceased) .- To pass away after a life of earnest endeavor, leaving behind grateful remembrances, does not fall to the lot of all. bnt when the late James Howett passed away, he was missed by all who had known him and monrned by liis devoted family. He was born in Lancaster County, Pa., July 28, 1828. a son of Daniel Howett. a native of Pennsylvania, a farmer by calling, who operated in Lancaster County, until he migrated to Illinois, where lie continued his agricultural pursuits. dying at the home of his daughter in Bushville.

The education of James Howett was secured in Pennsylvania, and during his boyhood he worked for his father on the farm. When he came to Sangamon County with his father. he brought his wife and six children along, and

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located iu Riverton. Prior to coming he had farmed at Marysville for some years, but after locating there he mined, and was thns engaged when he died, August 21, 1908. He was a Re- publican in political faith, and served as Al- derman for a year in Riverton, giving his ward a business administration. For several years he served as policeman, and was a very efficient one. The Methodist Church claimed his mem- hership, and he died firm in its faith.

In July, 1854, Mr. Howett was united iu mar- riage in York County, Pa., to Rebecca Robin- son, born October 31, 1838, in Lancaster, Pa., a daughter of Daniel Rohinson, born in Penn- sylvania. He was a farmer and blacksmith, later becoming a merchant, and speut his life in Cumberland aud Perry Counties, Pa. Both he and his wife died in Pennsylvania. There were six children iu the Robinson family : Susan, wife of A. S. Gordon, of Lancaster, Ohio; Jesse W., of Marysville, Pa .; Martha J., wife of Robert Boyd, of York, Pa. ; William H., of Lancaster, Ohio; Joseph W., of Riverton and Mrs. Howett. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Howett, six of whom survive: James, of Springfield; Sarah, wife of L. Orendorff, a farmer of Nebraska; Emma, wife of James Ringer, of Oklahoma; Elizabeth, wife of Wil- iiam Wilkinson, of Colorado; Charles, living with his mother; Ida, wife of Isaac Williams of Springfield. There are twenty-three grand- children in the family, as well as seven great- grandchildren, all of whom are very dear to Mrs. Howett. She owns her pleasant home in Riverton, and is widely known and universally respected.

While Mr. Howett never thrust himself into public office, his ability caused him to be singled out upon more than one occasion for preferment, and the way in which he discharged the dnties entrusted to him proved that he was the right man in the right place.

HOWITT, Henry (deceased), beionged to one of the sturdy old Pennsylvania families to which reference is made when the highest type of citizenship is recalled. He was a man ready for any emergency that called for his efforts during a long and worthy life, and even in old age found usefui occupation, when strength no longer remained with which to carry on large agricultural operations or to fight his country's battles. He was born in 1839. in Lancaster County, Pa., and was given his father's name. His parents were old Pennsylvania people and lived and died on their own land in that State. Henry Howitt attended school in the vicinity of Lancaster and then helped his father on the home farm. Meanwhile, Civil War had begun. and many of his friends and acquaintances had enlisted for service, and in January. 1863, he also became a soldier. enlisting in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-Second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was in the service un- til September 15. 1863. his honorable discharge heing received at Harrishurg, Pa. He took part

in several battles but was fortunate enough to escape all injury and returned home practically unharmed. Shortly afterwards he came west and settied first near Beardstown, Ill., where he engaged in farming, and then came to Sanga- mon County, purchasing a small farm south of Springfield, which he operated for some years. Subsequently he bought a comfortable residence on East Cedar Street, Springfield, which is now owned by his son Daniel. He had been a busy man so long that he felt the need of some oc- cupation, and hence took np gardening, which was a congenial one. IIe died at his home on East Cedar Street. on January 27. 1909. IIe was a member of Sephenson Post, No. 30, G. A. R. and was a Republican in politics.

Mr. Howitt was married at Lancaster, Pa., to Miss Louise Streuble, who was born in Penn- sylvania aud died shortly after she accompanied her hushand West. Three children were born to this union, the two survivors being : Daniel, who owns the old home place and follows gar- dening as a business; and Harry, who resides with his brother. Mr. Howitt was married (sec- ond) to Mrs. Mary Collins, who died in 1907, at Springfield. They had one son, James, who resides with his hrothers.

HOWLETT, John T .- The Howlett family has loug heen prominent in Sangamon County, and the reader's attention is called to the sketch of William M., hrother of John T. Howlett, also appearing in these pages. John T. Howlett is a native of the connty, horn near New City, Fehrnary 24, 1856, a son of James P and Laura (Farmer) Howlett, natives of Bullitt County, Ky. The father was a farmer and in 1850 came to Sangamon County. His first work was as a farm hand and later he engaged in farm- ing on his own account near Crowe's Mill. He took his family to Sullivan County, Ind., where he remained nine years, then returned to San- gamon Connty and for many years carried on farming in Cotton Hill Township. He moved from there to a farm near New City, a short time later removed to Kansas, and spent but a comparatively short time there, returning to Sangamon Connty, where he lived the remain- der of his days. His first wife died when his son John T. was an infant. By this marriage there were three children and John T. Howlett now has a sister surviving, Mrs. Sarah C. Williams, of Terre Haute. Ind. By the second inarriage there are four children who now sur- vive, namely : William M., a farmer living near New City ; James F., of Williams Township; Amelia Lonisa, wife of John Pettibone, of Rochester Township, and Martha E., wife of Richard J. Imes, of Ewing, Mo. The maternal grandfather of John T. Howlett, John Farmer, was an early settler of Sangamon Connty.

John T. Howlett was educated at New City and in boyhood helped with the work on his father's farm. He has spent his entire active life in this occupation and now operates 100 acres of land on Section 19, Rochester Town-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

ship. He has lived on this place for the past fourteen years.

Mr. Howlett was married near New City in September, 1881, to Mary Rape, who was born there lu October, 1859, daughter of Francis M. Rape, a native of Sangamon County, whose father was an early settler there and entered land from the Government. Mr. Rape and wife are both deceased and left two daughters ; Mrs. Howlett, and Mrs. Belle Hendron, of Chicago. There are four half-sisters in the family : Mrs. Rosie Pope, living near Glenarm; Mrs. Flora Brown, living uear Milwaukee, Wis .; Mrs. Eliz- abeth Gregory, near New City; Mrs. Bessie Lamb, who lives near Pawnee, Sangamon County.

To Mr. Howlett and wife six children were born, of whom four now survive : Ossie O., wife of Clay Howard, of Springfield, has two chil- dren, Eva H. and Orville M .; Roy Vernon, Luther G. and Alma O. Mr. Howlett's own farm contains twenty acres of excellent land and he operates altogether 100 acres. He is an aggressive and practical farmer and has met with success. He and his family are members of Forest Grove Methodist Church. He is highly regarded by his neighbors and is con- sidered an upright, useful citizen.

HOWLETT, Lewis .- The Howlett family has been prominent in the vicinity of Riverton, Ill., for the past half-century, and has been identi- fied with the best interests of the place during that period. Lewis Howlitt, who has lived in the town from boyhood, was born at Lock- bourne, Ohio, October 17, 1847, son of Parley L. and Rebecca H. (Williams) Howlett. Parley L. Howlett was born at Syracuse, N. Y., April 23, 1818, and Rebecca H. Williams was born iu Franklin County, Ohio, February 18, 1818. The father moved to Columbus, Ohio, in 1840, and there carried ou business about fifteen years, in 1855 lost his business by fire aud moved to Peoria, Ill., where he carried on business two years, and then spent three years at St. Joseph, Mo. November 16, 1858, he brought his family to Springfield, Ill., remaining there four years. In'1862 Mr. Howlett came to what is uow River- ton, then kuown as Jamestown. Later, as there grew a demand for a post-office in the village, the name was changed to Howlett, there being already one Jamestown in the State where a post-office had been established. (Iu 1874 the name became Riverton.) In this new town Mr. Howlett embarked in several lines of business and became actively interested in building up the place. He erected a distillery, and uutil 1869 conducted what were kuown as the Clear Lake Mills, where flour was made. In 1866 he sunk the first coal shaft in the vicinity aud iu the fall of the following year the first coal was found. Hls mine, which he conducted until 1869, was known as the Howlett Mine, and is now Shaft No. 1 of the Springfield Coal Mining Com- pany.

In 1869, having lost a considerable sum of

money iu various business veutures, Parley L. Howlett left Sangamon County, and lived suc- cessively iu Peklu and Peoria, Ill .; Texas, Chi- cago, and Mckeesport, Pa., leaving the latter place for Cumberland, Md., and then removing to Mckeesport, Pa. He spent his last days in Cumberland, dyiug In 1891, three months after locating there, his widow surviving him about ten years. They were parents of eleven sons and one daughter, of whom but two children survive, Lewis and Edwin, who live together.

Lewis Howlett received his education in Ri- vertou and iu boyhood assisted his father in various business enterprises until the latter's removal from the town. He has since been identified with various lines of business aud since 190S has served as Justice of the Peace. He has the good-will and esteem of all who know him. He is a reliable, public-spirited citizen and has efficiently discharged the duties of his public office. In politics he is a Repub- lican.

Mr. Howlett was married in Pekiu, Ill., May 29, 1873, to Frauces M. Sapp, born at Red Oak, Iowa, Christmas Day, 1853, daughter of Will- iam H. Sapp and wife. Her father, a uative of Ohio, was a tailor by trade and au early set- tler of Pekin, where he lived many years, and there his wife's death occurred. He later re- moved to Wisconsin, where he spent the re- mainder of his life. Mrs. Howlett died at Ga- lena, Kan., September 12, 1909, having borue three children, all of whom survive: Parley L., of Taylorville, Ill .; Mae E., wife of Martiu Chaunell, of St. Paul, Minn., and Alice A., wife of William M. Olive, County Mine Examiner of Madison County, Ill., and a resident of Worden. There are five grandchildren in the family.

HOWLETT, William M., a successful farmer of Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, is a native of the township and belongs to one of the pioneer families in that region. He was born August 22, 1856, a son of James P. and Amelia (Rape) Howlett, the former born in Bullitt County, Ky., and the latter in Tennessee. James P. Howlett was a farmer by occupation and brought his family in an early day to Sangamon County, locating near what is now New City, where he lived many years, then moved to a farm three miles farther north, where he died July 4, 1899, and his wife died January 29, 1890. The father had one sister, Bettie How- lett, and four brothers, John, Harrison, Will- iam and Nathaniel, all of whom are deceased. William M. Howlett is largely a self-educated man, and being one of a large family of chil- dren, early began to help with the work of operating the home farm. He has two sisters surviving, Martha, wife of R. J. Iams, and Amelia, wife of John Pettibone, of Sangamon County. He also has four brothers: James F. and John T., of Sangamon County ; George and Daniel, deceased.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 73

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774