My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the Woodruff County portion of Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

Joseph L. Howell. Mr. and Mrs. David Howell, of North Carolina, the former a prosperous farmer of that State, were the parents of nine children, as follows: James L., Eliza (wife of Nedy Hyatt), Mary (now Mrs. H. C. McCraken), C. J. (Mrs. J. I. Jaredd), N. E. (Mrs. Morgan Osborn), Adaline (Mrs. George Butler), Joseph L. (the subject of this sketch) and two sons deceased. Mr. Howell was claimed by the dread destroyer, Death, in 1864, his wife having preceded him in the year 1848. They were earnest workers and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Joseph L. began life for himself in 1852, as traveling agent of musical instruments, and also taught music until 1861. During the war he went to Texas, and freighted cotton from Waco to San Antonia for the Government. After the close of hostilities, Mr. Howell came to Arkansas and settled in this county, engaging in farming, which occupation he has since followed, being today one of the wealthiest planters of the county. He owns between 5,000 and 6,000 acres of land, about 1,200 in a fine state of cultivation. A good gin is one of the many improvements made by him, which was rebuilt during the year 1889, enabling the ginning of from fifteen to twenty bales per day. Mr. Howell was married to Miss Fannie Butler, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joel J. Butler, of Georgia, and their marriage resulted in a family of five children, three girls and two boys: Martha (the wife of Dr. Mewborn), Effie (Mrs. Richard Izard), Eddie, Joseph and Fannie (deceased). Mrs. Howell was born in 1838, owing her nativity to Georgia, where her parents were life-long residents. Mr. Butler died in 1864, and his wife two years before. Mr. Howell has erected a very fine residence in Howell Station, and is the founder of that place. He is foremost in all enterprises relative to the welfare of town and county, many of which owe their origin and successful completion to his ever ready support and to his spirit of progression. His wealth enables him to contribute largely to all charitable purposes, and in performing many good works he follows the Bible injunction, “Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.”

* * * *

This family biography is one of 69 biographies included in the Woodruff County portion of Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Woodruff County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Woodruff County, Arkansas family biographies here: Woodruff County, Arkansas

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.