E. B. HOWELL, farmer; P. O. Fletcher; was born in Hunterdon Co., N.J. May 20, 1816, and is a son of Daniel and Hannah (Biles) Howell, who were both natives of New Jersey; Daniel was born Jan. 4, 1781, and Hannah Sept. 25, 1773; their marriage was celebrated Dec. 13, 1814; Hannah passed away June 12, 1828, leaving two children; the following fall Daniel and his family came West, locating in Montgomery Co., where he married Alice Cavender; she was a native of that county; in the fall of 1838 they removed to Miami Co., locating on Sec. 14, Brown Township, where they both died - Alice in 1840, and Daniel in 1852. Our subject, when a boy in his native State, had the privilege of the common schools. which was no longer enjoyed after coming West. From 1838, he was duly engaged in opening out the farm now owned by Joshua A. Duer, for which the compensation was the products for a limited number of years; there he remained until 1843, when he engaged in farming rented land; and various changes were made until he purchased his present farm of 30 acres, in Sec. 19, Brown Township, where he located in the spring of 1853; in 1856, he left his farm and engaged in keeping a toll-gate on the Piqua and Urbana turnpike, which he held thirteen years; at this time he emigrated West to Hancock Co., Ill.; not liking the country, he returned, in two and on-half years, and located on his farm, where he now resides. Dec. 3, 1846, he married Elizabeth Brelsford; they are the parents of five children, of whom two died in early life, and three are now living, viz.; James A., George W. and Gilbert L., who has spent the last five years boo-keeping in various places. He graduated at the Buckeye Business College, of Sandusky, Ohio, under Prof. Seele.