Prominent among the earliest pioners of Elizabeth Township stands the subject of this record, who has now nearly passed the 69th year of his age, having been born Dec. 25, 1820. His native place was on the other side of the Atlantic in Yorkshire England and his parents were John and Isabelle (Parker) Howarth of English birth and ancestry. He was reared in his native country until a lad of 14 years, then accompanied by friends set out for America. They took passae at Liverpool on a sailing vessel, and after an ocean voyage of three months landed at Newcastle, Del., unable on account of the ice to reach Philadelphia. They were driven by storms out of their way, passing the Azores and the Bermuda Islands.
Our subject sojourned in Delaware County PA a number of seasons, during which he was employed on a farm and engaged at grist-milling probably ten years. By his own efforts he managed to secure a common-school education, and was a student for a time of one of the first public schools in the Keystone State. His habit of thought and reading has largely supplied the lack of early application, and he has kept himself well posted upon matters of general interest.
After leaving PA Mr. Howarth spent some time in the South, emigrating to Northern IL about 1845. After his arrival in Elizabeth Township he purchased from the Government 80 acres of school land, which was valued on the average at $2 per acre. Under the stimulus of ownership he proceeded iwth its cultivation and improvement, adding 20 acres to his first purchases until he now has a farm of 100 acres in a thorough state of cultivation. Much of htis was originally timber and the whole laid as the Indians had left it. Here he has made his home continuously for over 40 years and during htis time it is scarcely necessary to say, has become a familiar figure in this part of the county. He has watched the growth and development of his adopted county with the warmest interest and contributed as he has been able to bring about its present condition.
The year of 1859 witnessed the marriage of William Howarth with Miss Fanny Lawry, who was born on the Isle ofMan, whence her parents came to IL when she was a small child three or four years of age. They were natives of England and the Isle of Man respectively; her mother is still living and resides in Galena; her father is dead. Of this union here wsa born a large family, twelve of whom are living, namely; Lewis P., Clara E., Margaret M., Dora B., Bertha I., Sarah L., Hattie B.S., James W., Jennie D., William C., Charles R., and Harry G. Fanny and Horace died at the ages of eight months and two years. The mother of these departed this life at her ome in Elizabeth Jan. 23, 1882, greatly mourned by her family and friends.
For the first sixteen years after becoming a voter, Mr. Howarth affiliated with the Whig party. In 1856, upon the organization of the Republicans, he cordially indorsed their doctrines, of which he has since been a warm supporter. He has represented Elizabeth Township in the County Board of Supervisors five terms iwth credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He also served as Assessor. He may still be called a man in the prime of life, as he retains much of his youthful vigor of mind and body, the result of correct habits and a good conscience. He is not connected with any religious organization, although his family are regular attendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He gives his support to all enterprises, religious and otherwise, having for their object the elevation of society and the best good of the people around him. He is now School Trustee.
From Portraits and Biographical Pg 529, Transcribed by Christine Walters
