Thomas Howarth, a pioneer of 1849, began farming on a tract of wild land in Woodbine Township, and the first season operated as a renter. He had made his headquarters at the embryo village of Elizabeth, where he has since lived, largely engaged in mining operations. At odd times, however, he followed the trade of painter, which he had learned in his youth, doing business largely as a contractor. He is one of the oldest living settlers of Elizabeth Township, and is regarded with that respect which is naturally awarded those who located upon this section of country in the primitive days, and have borne no unimportant part in its growth and development.
Like many of the men who came to Northern IL nearly 50 years ago, our subject wsa born on the other side of the Atlantic, his native place being in Lancashire England, and the date of birth Dec. 21, 1824. He is the offspring of an excellent family, being the son of William and Elizabeth (Preston) Howarth, who were also of English birth and parentage. He received a good English educaiton, and was reared in his native county. The parental family included 13 children - the following survive; Robert, a minister of the Church of England, and stationed in the city of Manchester; Thomas, our subject; William, also a minister and a resident of Greenwich England; Edward, a civil engineer, living at Chorley England; James who was educated for a physician, but is occupied at saddlery manufacturing in England.
The father of our subject possessed some means, and was a classical scholar. He was greatly desirous of giving his children a good education, and those who would study received excellent advantages. Thomas, when 13 years of age, began an apprenticeship as a plumber and glazier, at which he served 7 years in Chorley, and then went into business for himself in the same place in company with his cousin, Thomas McLeod. They continued together about 18 months; then our subject disposed of his interest in the business to his partner, preparatory to coming to America. He set out for the promised land in 1848, taking pasage on a sailing vessel at Liverpool and after an ocean voyage of six weeks and two days, via the West Indies, landed in the city of New Orleans.
Making a short tarry at the point above mentioned, our traveler proceeded up the Mississippi River to St. Louis MO and from there to Shullsburg Wisc., where he sojourned from November 1848 until March following, then came to this county. On the 6th of May following he was married in SHullsburg Wisc., to Miss Mary A. Pierce, a native of his own county in England, and the daughter of James and Elizabeth Pierce of English birth and ancestry.
There came to bless this union eight children, five of whom are living - James, a resident of Dubuque Iowa; Edward, in California and Arthur in the Indian Territory; Charles A., at Cuba City Wisc., and Elizabeth the wife of the Rev. John Willey of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The deceased children are; William T.P., a physician and surgeon who died in Chicago; Robert and Mary who died when 23 and 21 years old respectively. The mother of these passed while on a visit to England in 1876. Mr. Howarth contracted a second marriage July 16, 1882 with Mrs. Electa A. Lingford, widow of the late Robert Lingford, of Elizabeth and daughter of Jonathan and Electa (Clark) Holcomb, natives of New York State.
Mrs. Electa Howarth was born Aug. 31, 1838 in Clinton County NY. She was deprived by death of the affectionate care of her mother at the tender age of 7 years. When 14 years old she came to this county, tomake her home with an elder sister, MRs. Lorenzo Hopkins. She was first married Oct. 5, 1852, toMr. Lingford, who was a native of Nottinghamshire, England, and who came to this county in 1848. He operated a meat-market in Elizabeth for a number of years, but finally began farming. He died at his home in Elizababeth Mary 24, 1873. Of this marriage there were born nine children, seven of whom are living - Viola, the wife of Edward Reed of Galena; Augusta, deceased; Clara, Mrs. Alexander Hidenright, of Woodbine Twp.; Robert H., a resident of Baraboo, Wis.; William A., in Madrid Neb.; Lawrence A., who is attending the High School at Fulton IL; Wallace lives in Woodbine Twp. and Thora M., the wife of Peter Sutton of Elizabeth. Mr. Lingford was a man greatly respeted in this community, a Republican in politices and who took an active interest in all measures having for their object the general elevation of mankind.
During the progress of the late war our subject enlisted in February 1865 in Company A, 15th IL Inf. which was assigned ot the 17th Army Corps, under the command of Gen. Howard. He was in the service nine months, being stationed mostly in N.C. He was at one time with the command of Gen. Sherman and participated in several skirmishes. From the Carolinas he marched with his regiment to Washington, participating in the Grand Review. While enroute to Ft. Leavenworth KS, in stopping over at Louisville KY he received a sunstroke, from the effects of which he has never fully recovered.
Politically Mr. Howarth is a decided Republican. He has served as Constable and Deputy Sheriff, but prefers to give his attention to his private interestsrather than to become an incumbent of any office. Besides his village property in Elizabeth he is the owner of 100 acres of good land in Madison County, this state. Although perhaps not called wealthy, he is in good circumstances, with the prospect of a competence for his old age. Mrs. howarth was a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
From Portraits and Biographical Pg 777
