"Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity, Oregon." Authors: "a compilation of this work....by a number of writers". Chapman Publishing Co; Chicago, 1903. p. 533. WILLIAM J. HOWLETT Situated on an elevation that commands a view of the surrounding country, three miles southeast of Eagle Creek, is the one hundred and sixty acre farm of William J. Howlett, known as one of the most enterprising and resourceful of the agriculturists of Clackamas county. He was born in Jennings county, Ind., March 8, 1830. In his ancestral connections Mr. Howlett is descended from Revolutionary stock, for even so near a relative as his paternal grandfather, William Howlett, carried a musket upon the battlefields of Brandywine and Bunker Hill, and it is supposed wintered with Washington at Valley Forge. He was also present at the surrender of General Burgoyne. This promoter of Colonial independence was born, reared, and passed considerable of his life in Massachusetts, preferably in Boston, but eventually settled in Marietta county, Ohio, where his son, L. V. Nelson Howlett, the father of William J., was born. At the time of his memorable journey towards the west, L. V. Nelson Howlett had just disposed of his farm in Jennings county, Ind., and has ambitious of participating in the great upbuilding of the coast. His expectations, however, were doomed to disappointment, for in some way, he contracted erysipelas on the way, and died near Huntington, in 1851. The disconsolate family continued their way according to the plans of the father, and near Eagle Creek, Clackamas county, bought a homestead right to a quarter section of land. No sooner was a method of life established in the new surroundings than William J. started out to earn his own living elsewhere, and in 1854 took up his present farm, upon which there were no improvements, and of which he has already cleared sixty acres. The most modern and approved labor-saving machinery facilitates the carrying on of large general farming enterprises, and the convenient rural home above the neighbors on all sides, is one of the most desirable to be found in the county. About 1854, just before taking up his present farm, Mr. Howlett went to California much impressed with the stories, he had heard of hidden wealth. After working in the mines for a few months he decided in favor of the slower but surer livelihood to which the industrious and thrifty farmer is heir, and the same year returned to Clackamas county, purchased his farm and September 20, 1854, was united in marriage with his wife and helpmate, Sabina Markwood daughter of David M., who came to Oregon in 1853. To Mr. and Mrs. Howlett have been born four children: Viola A., wife of J Wesley Douglass of Eagle Creek; Mary Jane, wife of Joseph D. Douglass, of Wasco county Ore Louisa wife of Albert Cook, of Damascus; and Lida A. Woodle, whose husband lives on a farm adjoining that of her father. Mr. Howlett has been variously occupied with public and political affairs of his county, has been justice of the peace for fourteen years, and school clerk and director for several years. Formerly as stanch a Democrat as he is at present a Republican, his services have redounded to the credit of both parties, although he is in no sense what might be termed a politician. Mr. Howlett is identified with Eagle Creek Grange No. 197, and in religion is a member of the Christian Adventist Church in which he is serving as elder. He is one of the foremost farmers and citizens of his locality and is esteemed both for his business enterprise and many desirable traits of character. Transcriber's additional notes: Census Indexing: 1850 HOWLETT L V NELSON 38 OH IN JENNINGS COLUMBIA PCT p326 1860 HOULETT WILLIAM J 30 M W IN OR CLACKAMAS YOUNGS PCT p90 1870 HOWLETT W J 40 M W IN OR CLACKAMAS YOUNGS PCT p118 1880 HOWLET WILLIAM 50 W IN OR CLACKAMAS EAGLE CRK p175 ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.