HOWLETT, JOHN T. - The Howlett family has long been prominent in Sangamon County, and the reader's attention is called to the sketch of William M., brother of John T. Howlett, also appearing in these pages. John T. Howlett is a native of the county, born near New City, February 24, 1856, a son of James P. and Laura (Farmer) Howlett; natives of Bullitt County, Ky. The father was a farmer and in 1850 came to Sangamon County. His first work was as a farm hand and later he engaged in farming on his own account near Crowe's Mill. He took his family to Sullivan County, Ind., where he remained nine years, then returned to Sangamon County and for many years carried on farming in Cotton Hill Township. He moved from there to a farm near New City, a short time later removed to Kansas, and spent but a comparatively short time there, returning to Sangamon County, where he lived the remainder of his days. His first wife died when his son John T. was an infant. By this marriage there were three children and John T. Howlett now has a sister surviving, Mrs. Sarah C. Williams, of Terre Haute, Ind. By the second marriage there are four children who now survive, namely: William M., a farmer living near New City; James F., of Williams township; Amelia Louisa, wife of John Pettibone, of Rochester Township, and Martha E., wife of Richard J. Imes, of Ewing, Mo. The maternal grandfather of John T. Howlett, John Farmer, was an early settler of Sangamon County.
John T. Howlett was educated at New City and in boyhood helped with the work on his father's farm. He has spent his entire active life in this occupation and now operates 100 acres of land on Section 19, Rochester Township. He has lived on this place for the past fourteen years.
Mr. Howlett was married near New City in September, 1881, to Mary Rape, who was born there in October, 1859, daughter of Francis M. Rape, a native of Sangamon County, whose father was an early settler there and entered land from the Government. Mr. Rape and wife are both deceased and left two daughters; Mrs. Howlett, and Mrs. Belle Hendron, of Chicago. There are four half-sisters in the family: Mrs. Rosie Pope, living near Glenarm; Mrs. Flora Brown, living near Milwaukee, Wis.; Mrs. Elizabeth Gregory, near New City; Mrs. Bessie Lamb, who lives near Pawnee, Sangamon County.
To Mr. Howlett and wife six children were born, of whom four now survive: Ossie O., wife of Clay Howard, of Springfield, has two children, Eva H. and Orville M.; Roy Vernon, Luther G. and Alma O. Mr. Howlett's own farm contains twenty acres of excellent land and he operates altogether 100 acres. He is an aggressive and practical farmer and has met with success. He and his family are members of Forest Grove Methodist Church. He is highly regarded by his neighbors and is considered an upright, useful citizen.