HAMILTON  HERBERT  HOWELL

Mr. Howell at Norman Sheet Metal, 1920. Photo by Harold Harner. Contributed by Tom Scheerer

His Father One Of The Pioneers In The County

     Hamilton Howell, 519 West Walnut, is a son of the late Henry Hamilton Howell, pioneer resident of the county. The younger Howell, who is an employee of the Norman Sheet Metal Co. in Nevada, has furnished several newspaper clippings concerning his well-known father, who spent 86 of his 88 years in Vernon County.

     Henry H. Howell was born Nov. 26, 1852, in Howell's Prairie, located in the central part of St. Charles County. His great-grandfather, James Howell, was the first settler of that county.

     In October of 1854, when he was only two years old, his family came to Vernon County, where they were among the first settlers. They located about one-fourth mile south of the Iron Springs near Nevada where Mr. Howell resided many years. Within six months after the Howell family came to this vicinity, eleven families had settled here, making the foundation for this town. The first building to be erected was a hotel on the hill by the Iron Springs; this remained standing for more than fifty years, at which time the property passed into other hands, the new owner tore down the hotel and built his home site.

     For several years after the Howell family and others settled the Iron Springs, each fall tribes of Indians would pitch their tents nearby, giving the appearance of a tent city. With the coming of spring, they disappeared, only to reappear the next fall.

     Mr. Howell saw the first building erected in what is the present business district of Nevada. It was a double log house used for a tavern and was located where the post-office now stands. The next building was a little frame store, about the middle of what is now the south side of the square; it was known as "the general store." A short time later a building was erected on the west side of the square. When the county was organized a short time afterward, the first courthouse was built on top of this store. However, before the courthouse was built, the first county court was held in the home of Judge Caton, which was a log house five miles north of Nevada.

     Mr. Howell and his wife, the former Laura Sears, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chessily Sears who were also pioneer residents of this county, were married 70 years.

Centennial Issue of The Nevada Herald, Nevada, Missouri; Sunday 3 July 1955.

Hamilton Howell Dies at City Hospital

     Hamilton Herbert Howell, 73, a life long resident of Vernon County, died at 8:15 o'clock Wednesday night at the Nevada Hospital. He had been in failing health the past five years.

     Born Feb. 23, 1894 in Nevada, he was the son of Hamilton Henry and Laura F. (Sears) Howell. On April 2. 1946, he was married to Alta A. McElwain in Butler. He was a member of the Nevada Methodist Church.

     Mr. Howell was employed for many years by W. F. Norman Sheet Metal Co. He also had been employed as a meat cutter for Noah Lee and Bud Pryor Markets as well as A&P.

     His wife of the home survives. Two sons and a daughter, survive, are: Raymond Howell, Chicago: Stephen Howell, Ft. Bragg, N. C.; and Mrs. Velma Howard, Connecticut.

     Also surviving are three stepchildren: Mrs. Alberta Brooks, Rich Hill; Mrs. Barbara Turnbull and Jack McElwain, both of Nevada.

     Three grandchildren and five step-grandchildren survive.

     Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Ferry Funeral Chapel.

The Nevada Daily Mail, Nevada, Missouri; Thursday 24 August 1967 page 3.

ALTA ADELAIDE HOWELL

     Alta Adelaide Howell, 81, Nevada, died Saturday, June 9, 1990, at Nevada City Hospital following an illness of several months.

     The daughter of Albert Bird and Bertha Adelaide (Dennis) Banghart, she was born Dec. 28, 1908, in Nevada. She was married to Hamilton H. Howell, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Barbara Crabb.

     Mrs. Howell worked for Montgomery Ward and Company and O.B. Market in Nevada and A & P Grocery Store in Butler, Jefferson City and Chillicothe. She was a member of the First Christian Church.

     Survivors include: two sons, Jack O. McElwain, Nevada, and Stephen H. Howell, Olathe, Kan.; one daughter, Alberta L. Brooks, Rich Hill; seven grandgrandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one sister, Leota Fox, Appleton City; and one brother, Albert Banghart, Fairfield Glades, Tenn.

     Services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday. June 13, at Ferry Funeral Home with the Rev. Daryl Donovan officiating.

     Burial will be in Moore Cemetery, Nevada.

     Friends may call now and until the hour of service.

The Nevada Daily Mail, Nevada, Missouri; Monday 11 June 1990 page 2.

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