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Below is a family biography included in the book,  Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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CAPT. THEODORE H. HOWELL resides in Allen Township, Northampton County, where he owns the Allen Mills, and may be properly mentioned among the citizens who are contributing their quota toward the development of their adopted county. He is a native of New Jersey, having been born in Warren County, October 21, 1824. and is the son of John and Sarah (Titus) Howell, also natives of that state, where the former lived to the advanced age of ninety-six years. The parents are of Welsh ancestry, the first representatives having located on Long Island when the British had possession of the country.

Our subject was only two years of age when he was deprived by death of his mother’s care. When attaining his twentieth year, however, in company with his father, he came to this state, and in 1844 located in Allen Township, this county, where the father was engaged in farm pursuits and at the same time operated a gristmill. He was a Whig in politics, but during the later years of his life joined the ranks of the Republicans. He died in May, 1890.

Captain Howell was thoroughly trained to farm pursuits, and also learned milling, which business he has followed his entire life. He received a common-school education, and being fond of reading, keeps himself posted upon current events, During the late war he enlisted in October, 1862, becoming a member of Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, of which he was unanimously chosen Captain. He was out under the nine months’ call, during which time he participated in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. During the fight at the latter place Captain Howell’s regiment was among those who were well to the front, and he there received two wounds, one through his hip, and a ball passing through his arm. He was also at the battle of Fredericksburg, and during his period of service had many narrow escapes. He was honorably discharged July 22, 1863, after which he returned home.

The Captain has served his fellow-townsmen as Auditor of Allen Township for a number of years, and has also occupied the position of Prison Inspector of Northampton County. He is a Republican in politics, and connected with Lafayette Post No. 217, G. A. R., at Easton. He is likewise prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Barger Lodge No. 333, at Allentown.

Captain Howell and Miss Mary, daughter of Daniel Levan, now deceased, but formerly a well known resident of this township, were united in marriage iu 1847. Their union has been blessed by a large family of children, of whom the following named survive: Daniel L, John T, Jacob F., Thomas F., Naomi, Theodore H., Jr., Harriet, Maria and Joseph A. In connection with carrying on his milling enterprise Captain Howell is the proprietor of a fifty-acre farm, which bears all the improvements usually found upon the estate of a wide-awake and progressive man. His mill is fitted out with machinery of the latest improved methods, and Captain Howell confines himself to merchant milling.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company. 

View additional Northampton County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Northampton County, Pennsylvania Biographies

View a historic 1911 map of Northampton County, Pennsylvania

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