Biography James B. Howell

1 biography

1.1 years
1.2 political career
1.3 death , legacy

biography
early years

james b. howell born july 4, 1816 near morristown, new jersey, son of elias , eliza howell. family moved west newark, ohio, in 1819, james attended public schools, graduating high school in newark. james father, elias howell, prominent in ohio politics , elected ohio state senate in 1830 , u.s. congress member of anti-jacksonian national republican party in 1836.

james howell graduated miami university, located in oxford, ohio, in 1837. following graduation howell studied law 2 years under judge hoeking h. hunter of lancaster, ohio, gaining admission ohio state bar in 1839. following admission bar, howell opened law practice in hometown of newark.

troubled ill health, in 1841 howell decided move more satisfactory locale. settled upon tiny town of keosauqua in van buren county in territory of iowa, opened new legal office , began rebuild legal practice.

political career

soon after arriving in iowa, howell became actively involved in whig party, 1 of 2 major american political parties of day. political interests led him purchase ailing newspaper, des moines valley whig, operation of came consume interest. howell subsequently gave law dedicate himself full-time editorship of partisan newspaper.

at end of 1846 iowa admitted united states , period of protracted growth followed. in 1849 howell moved newspaper booming iowa town of keokuk, located on southeastern tip of state, renaming publication gate city daily. in role editor, howell consistent opponent of slavery in united states , ultra-nationalist movement known know-nothingism.

as case many whigs, howell shifted political allegiance new republican party during middle years of 1850s. signer of convention call establish republican party in iowa , delegate state 1856 republican national convention held in philadelphia. howell himself frequent, albeit unsuccessful, republican candidate state , national office in period.

following national republican victory of 1860, howell appointed postmaster of keokuk, political position. served in role 1861 1866. accident crippled him life left howell unfit enlistment in union cause during american civil war, although remained bitter opponent of southern rebellion.

in 1870, iowa general assembly elected howell u.s. senate fill vacancy caused resignation of james w. grimes. served out end of grimes term january 18, 1870, march 4, 1871, not candidate reelection senate. 1 of 3 commissioners of court of southern claims appointed president ulysses grant in 1871 adjust claims stores , supplies , served until 1880.

death , legacy

howell died june 17, 1880 in keokuk @ age of 63. buried @ oakland cemetery.