Joseph E. Howett

As printed in 1908

JOSEPH E. HOWETT, agriculturist and stock-raiser, residing on his valuable farm of 245 acres, located jointly in Clark and Greene Counties, was born in Clark County, Ohio, near Osborn, June 23, 1847, and is a son of Daniel and Eliza (Hastings) Howett.

Daniel Howett was of Scotch-Irish descent. With his wife and two eldest children he came originally from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Greene County, Ohio, locating in Bath Township, where he followed farming on a rented farm for the succeeding three years. At the end of this period he removed to near Medway, Clark County, later moving to a farm in Mad Eiver Township, near the one now owned by his son, Joseph E. While living here he met with the accident— a kick by a horse — which caused his death in ] 860, when aged forty-nine years. He married Eliza Hastings, who was of English descent. She lived to be seventy-two years of age. To them were born the following children: Eachel Ann, who died in 1884, married William Maxton; Morris P., who died in 190.3; John A., who lives in Dayton, Ohio; Peter, who has a home in Bethel Township; Mary Ann, who resides with her brother Joseph, who is next younger; James Taylor, who resides in Bethel Township; and Eoberta, who married Thomas Snyder, resides in Osborn, Ohio.

JosepJi E. Howett has been a resident of Clark County since birth, the greater part of his boyhood having been spent in Mad Eiver Township. When Mr. Howett was young the only educational facilities were those afforded in the old-fashioned district school, which he attended in the winter seasons imtil he was about sixteen years old, when in February, 1864, he enlisted in the Eighth Eegiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, under Captain Winger, and served as a many soldier until the close of the Civil War, being mustered out in August, 1865. Mr. Howett participated in a number of engagements, and although only a boy in years, was one of the men who helped to open the battle of Lynchburg, Vii-ginia. After his return from the war he worked on various farms by the month for eleven years for Henry Coines, of Bath Township, Greene County. During this time he was married, on Christmas Day, to Jennie Molder, a daughter of Michael and Lydia Ann (Koch) Molder. Her death occurred one year later. On Christmas Day, 1878, he married Theresa Molder, a sister of his first wife, and to this tion were born the following children: Harry, who graduated from Antioch College, is now serving in the capacity of superintendent of the Bethel Township schools; Grace, residing at home, attended Otterbine College and was also a piano student at Dayton, Ohio; Ealph, who died aged eleven years;

Lloyd, who lives at home; and Mark, who is attending the Enou High School.

After his marriage Mr. Howett purchased a tract of sixty-seven acres in Greene County, where he lived a short time, when he sold this property. In 1883, in connection with his brother, Morris P. Howett, he bought his present farm from Reuben Miller and moved on the same the following spring. Mr. Howett and brother operated this farm together until the death of the latter, since when he has had full charge of the place, carrying on general farming and stock-raising.

Politically Mr. Howett is a Republican, and fraternally is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., having belonged to this organization since 1874. He is a member of the Reformed Church and has served as deacon for the past ten years.

As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.