Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
JAMES HOWELL is one of the best known men in Douglas county. He held the pulpit of the Presbyterian church in Coulee City and Almira for a long time and is now ministering to congregations in Paradise valley and Coulee City. In connection with his ministerial work Mr. Howell has also pursued other avocations. For some time he served the people as justice of the peace and won confidence and esteem from all in this capacity. In 1897, he was appointed United States court commissioner by Judge Hanford and in 1901 by the same judge was reappointed. Mr. Howell has been very active in locating homeseekers and has taken more filings in his office than in all others combined in this section. He also receives a large number of final proofs, attends to contests and has done a large work in getting settlers into this country. Mr. Howell is a man of letters and has done his work well in whatever capacity he has wrought.
James Howell was born in Carmarthern, Wales, on July 18, 1848, the son of Thomas and Frances (Griffiths) Howell, both natives of Wales. The Howell family is one of the old and prominent families of that country and are able to trace their ancestrage back seven hundred years and to "Howell the Good." Our subject's father was parish guardian for many years. His mother's people were prominent in Presbyterian circles and there were a number of ministers in the family. Our subject was thoroughly trained from his youngest days, finishing his education in the Presbyterian college in Carmarthen. He served as pastor of the church in Pembrocke county for four years, and pastor at large for six years, and then in 1884 came to this country. After being a pastor in Kansas for three and one-half years Mr. Howell came on to Douglas county, arriving here in October, 1887. He was all through the Big Bend country for some time before settling definitely at Coulee City. Since then he has been one of the leading men of the county and is a highly respected citizen. Mr. Howell and his wife brought seven thousand dollars of English cash with them to Douglas county, where most of it has been invested in land. They also own large tracts of land in Lincoln county, as well, and nearly all of their real estate holdings are in cultivation, producing abundant crops of the cereals. Mr. Howell has always been ready to assist any movement for the advancement and upbuilding of the country, and has labored assiduously for the good of all. He has ministered to the people far and near both in bereavement and in joy and has the distinction of having officiated in more funerals and marriages in this county and adjacent territory than any other minister here. He is a substantial man with staying qualities and his friends are legion.
Mr. Howell has four brothers and five sisters. His marriage occurred in Carmarthen, Wales, on April 10, 1884, Miss Mary E. Walters becoming his wife at that time. Mrs. Howell's parents are Thomas and Sarah (Nichols) Walters, prominent people in their native place. The father is a gentleman of property, being a large coal mine owner as well as having large landed estates. Mrs. Howell was born in Pembrocke county, Wales, on October 23, 1858, and has four brothers, John W., David, William, and James. To Mr. and Mrs. Howell three children have been born; Frances S., on April 22, 1885, and now attending Whitworth college at Tacoma; Rose A., on June 22, 1886, and died on September 14, 1896; Thomas J., on February 18, 1895. The first two are native to Kansas, but the last was born in Coulee City.
