My Genealogy Hound

ABRAHAM B. HOWELL, whose home is in Easton, is an honored veteran of the late war, in which he served for three years, participating in many of the most important battles and engagements. He suffered severe injuries while fighting for the Stars and Stripes, injuries from the effects of which he can never recover, but had there been need he would as freely have offered his life on the altar of liberty. For about a quarter of a century he has been engaged in the practice of law, and has frequently been called to serve in official capacities of responsibility and honor. In 1872 he was elected Chief Burgess of Easton, was re-elected in 1873, and again in 1874. In 1872 he was a nominee on the Republican ticket for Congressman from the Tenth District.

The parents of Mr. Howell were Joseph and Sarah (Wagner) Howell. The former was of Welsh descent, and a son of John Howell, who was born near Trenton, N. J., where he passed the early part of his life. Afterward becoming a resident of Warren County, N. J., for many years he engaged in farming in Greenwich Township, and during his last years made his abode in Phillipsburg. A large portion of the site of that place was in former years the property of Mr. Howell, he having purchased the land from his father-in-law, and became one of the founders of the city. He was a Whig in politics, and at one time was Justice of Sessions of Warren County. In religion he was a member of the Presbyterian denomination. His wife, a Miss Goeiser, bore him five children, John, George, Naomi, Joseph and Asher.

Joseph Howell, the father of our subject, was a farmer and distiller by occupation. For a large share of his life he lived at Seigfried’s Mill’s, subsequently Green’s Bridge. He owned at times a tannery, flourmill, distillery and about two hundred acres of land. In politics he was quite interested, being affiliated with the Whig party and afterward with the Republican organization. He was a Justice of the Peace, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. His death occurred in 1889, at the age of ninety-one years, while his wife, who died in 1876, was then in her seventy-third year. They were the parents of ten children: David, a farmer and tanner at Martin’s Creek, or Howelltown; John, a farmer, who was killed while organizing a company for the late war; William, a retired farmer, now engaged in the feed business at Pen Argyl; Mary Andrews, who is deceased; Justus, a resident of Lawrence City, Kan., owner of a farm and dealer in hardware; Joseph, formerly a member of the Legislature of Kansas, and whose death occurred at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.; Rose, who lives on the old homestead with her next younger sister; Elizabeth, wife of William Draney; Henry B., who was a member of the First New York Lincoln Cavalry, in the Army of the Potomac, and died while in the service; and our subject, the youngest in the family.

The birth of A. B. Howell occurred November 21, 1842, at Seigfried’s Mills, Northampton County. His education was obtained in the common and select schools of Philipsburg and Easton. At the age of eighteen years, on the 11th of September, 1861, he enlisted in the First New York Lincoln Cavalry, being assigned to Company A and placed in the Army of the Potomac. Among the many skirmishes and battles in which he took part are the following: Fair Oaks, Gaines’ Mill, Golding’s Farm, Cold Harbor, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Antietam, South Mountain, Winchester, Williamsport, Strasburg, Fisher’s Hill, Mt. Jackson, Harrisonburg, Millwood and all the minor engagements of his regiment. In the battle of Millwood he was shot in the left leg, and amputation was found necessary. He also received a slight wound at Smithfield, Va., in a hand-to-hand combat with revolvers. Altogether he served nearly three and a-half years, being mustered out at Frederick City, Md., in the fall of 1864.

Returning to resume his education, Mr. Howell pursued his studies in Lafayette College, from which he was graduated in 1868, as valedictorian of his class. He then began studying law at Easton with M. Hale Jones, and was admitted to the Bar from his office in 1870. The young man immediately opened an office of his own at Easton, which he has kept up until the present time. He has for many years enjoyed a lucrative practice, and is well known as one the leading members of the legal profession in this district. Socially he is a member of Lafayette Post No. 217, G. A. R., of Easton, and holds the rank of Commander in the same. He also belongs to the Zeta Psi and Phi Beta Kappa fraternities.

In 1869 Mr. Howell married Miss Mary, daughter of Peter K. Snyder, who is engaged in milling near Easton. Mrs. Howell bore her husband one child, a daughter, May, who is deceased. February 18, 1892, the wife of our subject was called from his side by death, when she was forty-seven years of age. She was a lady of refinement and amiable character, who made friends readily and was held in high esteem by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance.