Joseph Howell, a retired business man and banker of Brighton, now in
his eighty-fourth year, is one of the most respected members of the
community. By many years of application to business he acquired a
competence and in the evening of life enjoys the comforts which are due
to one who has ever attempted to perform his duty to his fellowmen and
never sought to deprive another of what rightfully belonged to him. Born
in Gloucestershire, England, January 1, 1828, he is a son of John and
Martha (Jones) Howell and a grandson of William Howell. The grandfather
was a blacksmith by trade and spent his entire life in Gloucestershire,
dying at an advanced age. John Howell, the father, was a broadcloth
weaver and moved with his family to the city of Leeds, England, where he
was employed at his occupation for many years. In 1879 he came to
America and spent the remainder of his life at the home of his son
Joseph, being called away in 1881. Mrs. Howell died in England in 1856,
at the age of fifty-six years. She and her husband were both consistent
members of the Baptist church. In their family were five children, four
sons and one daughter, all of whom are now deceased except the subject
of this review.
At the age of ten years Joseph Howell removed
with his parents to Leeds and he remained in that city until after
reaching manhood. He secured employment as a clerk in a general store, a
position which he held for seven years, and during this time he gained a
knowledge of business which proved of great practical benefit later. He
was married in his native land and in 1850, having decided to seek his
fortune in the new world, started with his wife and an infant son for
America. They made the trip in a sailing vessel known as The Express and
after nine weeks and two days landed at New Orleans. On the 8th of May
they reached Alton, Illinois, the entire trip from Leeds having required
fourteen weeks. After a short stay at Alton the journey was resumed to
Brighton, Macoupin county, where Mr. Howell has ever since made his
home. In 1859 he embarked in the furniture and undertaking business,
with which he was prominently connected for more than thirty-two years.
He retired from active affairs nearly twenty years ago but he is still
identified with the banking business and is vice president of the
banking firm of Blodget Brothers & Company, having been associated with
this institution ever since it was organized.
In 1849 Mr. Howell
was married to Miss Jane Warburton, a native of Bradford, England, and a
daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Senior) Warburton. The father was a
stationary engineer in England but in 1850, believing that more
favorable conditions existed in the United States, he came with his
family to Brighton, Macoupin county, Illinois. Eight years later he
moved to Montgomery county, where he died in 1871. The widow survived
her husband only two years. They left four children, all of whom are now
deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Howell were born five children, namely: Edwin
S., a native of England, who is now a prominent lawyer of East St.
Louis; Eliza, who is the widow of David A. Rice and is now living with
her father; Julia, the wife of G. M. French, train master of the
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad with headquarters at
Mattoon, Illinois; Alfred J., deceased, who was a successful business
man and for several years was associated with his father in business;
and Jennie M., the wife of Dr. T. H. Hall, of Gillespie. The children of
Mr. and Mrs. Howell were all given excellent advantages of education and
Eliza, Julia and Edwin engaged for several years in teaching in this
section. The mother of these children died in December, 1892. She was a
woman of many admirable traits of heart and character, whose memory will
ever be revered by all who knew her.
Mr. Howell has for more
than fifty years been a member of the Baptist church, with which his
wife was also identified. He has served as deacon and is now a member of
the board of trustees of the church. He has been closely connected with
Odd Fellowship for many years and was a member of the lodge at Alton,
later becoming one of the charter members of the Brighton lodge, with
which he has ever since been affiliated. He cast his first vote after
arriving in America for President Pierce and has been an earnest
supporter of the republican party ever since its organization. At the
time of the Civil war he was a pronounced anti-slavery man and when
President Lincoln was a candidate for the second term Mr. Howell
received notice that seven men had banded themselves together to drive
him out of the community provided the democratic candidate for president
was elected. He sent hack word that he could shoot seventeen times
without reloading and that he would take no' chance in wasting bullets.
In 1886 he was elected police magistrate of Brighton and a short time
afterward, while still serving in that office, was made justice of the
peace, a position which he still continues to fill. He was for several
years a member of the school board and during his incumbency was
instrumental in greatly increasing the efficiency of the schools. An
acknowledged leader in everything pertaining to the welfare of this
section, there are few men more widely or favorably known in Macoupin
county than Joseph Howell.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 375-376.
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