My Genealogy Hound

RICHARD HERITAGE HOWERTON, M. D., a retired physician of Chilhowee Township, Johnson County, dwells on section 5, township 44, range 27. This valuable homestead, which includes one hundred and sixty acres, is improved with good buildings and is kept up in a thrifty condition. Altogether the Doctor is the fortunate possessor of over seven hundred acres of land, for he has always been a firm believer in the stability of real estate and has invested his means in this way. He has risen from poverty to a position of affluence entirely through his own efforts and financial enterprise, for by inheritance and training he acquired habits of industry and indomitable perseverance.

The birth of our subject occurred in Rockingham County, N. C., October 8, 1823, his parents being William and Frances P. (Wall) Howerton. The former started for the West in 1839, in company with several friends and neighbors, driving a team across the country. The Doctor was placed in charge of a four-horse team and wagon, which he drove through from the western side of the Blue Ridge Mountains to Henry County, Mo. His father, who was fairly well off in this world’s goods, brought with him several slaves, and entered land from the Government near what is now Calhoun, Henry County, where his wife’s father, Richard Wall, had previously settled.

Dr. R. H. Howerton managed to pick up a good general education, though the schools of his boyhood were far from reaching the excellence of those of the present day. He lived with his father until reaching man’s estate, and after learning the carpenter’s trade worked as a journeyman. In 1849 he started for the Pacific Slope, with a company of some fifty or sixty persons, and was about three months in crossing the plains. He went at once to the mines, where he made some money, but his expenses were high and he returned home in 1850 with small returns. He had intended to cross the Isthmus, but a storm drove the ship ashore and they landed in Central America. Taking a ship from the mouth of the Nicaragua River, the young man went to Havanna, from there to New Orleans, and then went up the Mississippi River. In 1852 he entered the office of his uncle. Dr. R. Z. R. Wall, with whom he pursued medical studies for five years, and in the winter of 1854-55 took one course of lectures in the Cincinnati Medical Eclectic Institute.

In 1856 Dr. Howerton went to Cass County, Mo., and engaged in practice near the village of Everett, where he remained until the Civil War broke out. July 18, 1857, he married Nancy Hughes, of Chilhowee Township, but a native of Adair County Ky., and daughter of John and Polly (Diddle) Hughes. The young couple had been acquainted with each other before the Doctor’s removal to Cass County. The troubles which preceded the war so disturbed the peaceful security of the inhabitants of Cass County, that our subject and his wife returned to Johnson County, and subsequently were for two years residents of Lebanon, Cooper County, where the Doctor built up a good practice. Thence, going to Carlinville, Ill., they remained there until the close of the war. From that time until 1876 their home was again in Lebanon, Mo., and then for a few years they dwelt in Rose Hill Township, where the Doctor owned one hundred and fifty acres of land. Subsequently selling that place, he invested the proceeds in his present homestead. In 1887 he went to Eldorado Springs, with the hope of benefiting his wife’s health, and did not return here until 1894, in the mean time renting his farm.

Of the eight children born to Dr. Howerton and wife, the three eldest died in infancy, and the others are as follows: James B., who married Fannie Carpenter, and has one child, and whose sketch follows; Fannie, Robert, Benjamin and Annie C. They are all natives of Chilhowee Township, have all received good educations, and are qualified to embark in life’s duties.

Fannie, who married William Finley and has one child, is now living at the home of her father. Robert is married and has one child, and is also a resident of this township. Benjamin, whose birth occurred September 25, 1875, assists in the cultivation of the home farm; and Annie C., the youngest, is now pursuing her studies at Eldorado, Mo.

Fraternally the Doctor is a Mason, having become identified with the order at Agricola, Henry County, Mo. His first Presidential ballot was cast for Henry Clay in 1844; in 1856 he voted for Buchanan, and four years later for Stephen A. Douglas. Since the war he has adhered to the Democracy, but has never been desirous of holding public office.