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Pioneer - The HOWITT Family
Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County
Information from: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906
|
HOWITT Family, The
. The founder of this family in Canada was the late John Howitt, who was b. at
Long Eaton, Derbyshire, Eng., in 1805. He was a son of the late Henry Howitt of
the same place. The family were land owners in Eng. for generations, and
succeeded in keeping their estates through a period of over four hundred years,
notwithstanding all the changes and confiscations incidental to the civil wars
of that period.
Charles E. Howitt, of Guelph, nephew of the late John Howitt, has in his possession papers of the Howitt family dated 1554, 1647, 1683, and a charter attested by the great Seal of England, of the time of Queen Elizabeth, bearing her signature. The late John Howitt came to Canada and Guelph in 1832 but returned to England sold his property and came back to Guelph in 1834. He brought considerable means with him, and on his arrival he purchased 500 acres of land in Guelph Tp. known as "The Grange," on which he continued to reside to the time of his death, Mar. 29th, 1881. Shortly after his first purchase he bought 800 acres in Puslinch from Mr. Roland Wingfield, much of which was at that time almost a dense forest. He purchased also from the latter the whole of the thoroughbred short-horn herd, the first of which had been imported by that gentleman in 1833. Mr. Howitt continued to improve the herd and in 1845 exhibited it at the first Provincial Exhibition which was held in Niagara, taking practically all the prizes in this class. Mr. Howitt continued the thoroughbred stock raising until 1851, when he sold out his herd to the late F. W. Stone. Just before this sale he was burned out and lost his valuable and extensive library, besides all of his deeds, mortgages, pedigrees and other papers. Mr. Howitt invested largely in property which rapidly increased in value, and became one of the wealthiest men in the county. He was a man of marked ability, especially of the executive order, though retiring in disposition and inclined to avoid public honors, yet he had chosen, he might have taken a high and prominent position in the section. Shortly after the union between Upper and Lower Canada he was asked by Hon. Harvey Price to become a candidate for the Legislative Assembly for the District, but he declined. Mr. Howitt was the first President of the Guelph Agricultural Society an a member of the first Guelph Tp. Council. He was a great reader and was at all times genial, social and highly entertaining . He was a leading man in the community and held in the highest respect for his honor and integrity. He m. for his first wife, Catharine Lee. Issue: Dr. John Howitt, Alfred, a surveyor; Catharine (d.), Mrs. Wm. Day, and Mrs. James Anderson. His second wife was Margaret Murray, nee McIntosh. Issue: Mrs. Dr. Orton , Annie (d.), Henry, James, Richard (d.), Margaret (d.), Mrs. Chas. Howitt, Guelph; and Rev. William Howitt. The late William Howitt was b. Long Eaton Hall, Derbyshire, Eng., 1803. He m. first Sarah Selby, of Long Eaton; after her death he m. Jane, dau. of Rev. Henry Ranson, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. The late Henry Howitt lived as a retired gentleman engaged in literary pursuits, spending his time mostly in his library. He lived with his wife and family at London, Ont., from 1863 to 1868, then returned to Eng., where he died in 1874. After his death his widow returned with her family to Guelph, purchasing the residence on Waterloo Ave., known as "Homewood," built by the that Judge Kingsmill. Mrs. Howitt d. in Guelph in 1893. There is a stained glass window dedicated to her memory in St. George's Church , Guelph. Issue: Dr. William, Toronto; Charles E., Rev. F. E., Rector of St. George's Church, Hamilton; Mrs. (Rev.) C. M. Harris, Marmora, and Mary. Dr. John Howitt, who d. in 1870, age 44 years, was of a singularly self-sacrificing nature, giving up almost all of his time and talent to suffering humanity without looking for fee or reward. The whole community sincerely mourned his early demise, and his memory is held in the highest respect by the community in general. Dr. Henry Howitt was educated at Rockwood Academy, and graduated at Trinity University, and England Royal College of Surgery, London, Eng., and is a Gold Medallist. After practising some time, in 1889, he took a course in surgery with Dr. Lawson Tait, in Birmingham. Dr. Howitt commenced practice about 1873, and has always had a large practice, and of late years has gained a wide reputation as a surgeon. Issue: Grace, Ransom, Dr. Henry O., and Felicia. Charles E. Howitt, b. Warwickshire, Eng., 1853, m. Annie Howitt. Issue: Henry, Eaton, Charles 2nd, and Felicia K. For a time he carried on business as a private banker. He resides at "Homewood," a beautiful residence with grounds of 40 acres in the city of Guelph, where he leads a retired life. Alfred, son of the late John Hewitt, was b. Lassy Estate, 1829, d. 1896. He came to Canada with the family in 1833, when about four years old. He was raised at "The Grange", and educated at Rockwood Academy and later as a P. L.. S. and C. E. This occupation he followed in connection with farming. He m. Elizabeth Parks, of Puslinch Tp., who d. about 1893, age 48 years. Issue: Dr. John A., Mrs. W. D. Sorby, Mrs. Wm. Ireland, who succeeded to the old homestead in Puslinch (part of the Wingfield farm); Miss Alice Maud and Ethel. Dr. John A., was educated at the Guelph Collegiate and Trinity College, Toronto. He first practised in Harriston and later set. in Hespler, where he now practises his profession. Issue: Alfred L., Annie Lee, Henry Douglas and Helen. From: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario. Toronto:Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906 |
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