Edited by
Wally Howerton
Contributing Editors
John F. Howerton
Bryan R. Howerton
Volume Four, Issue 2 Spring 2000
FROM THE EDITOR
Greeting Cousins:
This newsletter took me twice as long to edit, as it should have. My number one problem is that I should edit and not read the stories for just plain fun! When you read Bryan's story "Howertons on the Virginia Frontier" see if you don't get swept away. I think he may have been in on the screenplay for " Last of the Mohicans." Great job Bryan!
You may notice the absence of written text by our other contributing editor, John F. Howerton. At this writing it is suspected that John is buried underneath boxes in a moving van somewhere out west. We have received an occasional e-mail from John (all from different servers.) On a serious note, John and Peg have just completed a move and we wish them a speedy recovery.
I wish I had more current events to report but that information comes from you, our readers. Please remember to submit reunions, obituaries, weddings, births, etc. You never know when one of your lost Howerton kin may see the printed announcement and get in touch.
There is a real neat note-board listed at: http://genforum.genealogy.com/howerton/ You can post messages and possibly stumble upon someone who has information on your part of the family. Check it out!
I'm pleased to say our hard copy subscriptions are starting to multiply. Remember those who may not have a computer or access to the Internet. The Howerton Heritage Newsletter makes a great gift. Until next time cousins, have a great spring and summer!
Wally
IN THIS ISSUE
Howertons on the Virginia Frontier by Bryan R. Howerton
The Howertons Run the Railroad by Millard Oscar Howerton
Howertons/Bestlands Meeting House by Bryan R. Howerton
An Era of Eloquent Writing by Wally Howerton
Ellsworth Ronald Howerton: Artist - Muralist by Naomi Howerton McMurry
HOWERTONS ON THE VIRGINIA
FRONTIER
By Bryan R
Howerton
One of the most beautiful areas in the United States is located
in Southwest Virginia and West Virginia and down into Northeast
Tennessee encompassing the area drained by the Powell, Clinch,
and Holston Rivers and their tributaries. Those wandering
over secondary roads from East to West in this area, ending up at
Cumberland Gap will be richly rewarded with the view.
Standing in Cumberland Gap and looking to the East you see a
rural, forested area and several small towns and villages.
Imagine how it looked at the time of the Revolutionary War when
the western frontier of Virginia lay along the Appalachian
Mountains. The virgin forests, fed by magnificent rivers,
stood tall providing cover for a seemingly endless supply of game.
American Indians had hunted in this area for centuries, gaining
access by a network of trails, also used for trading, from the
East Tennessee-West North Carolina area to the land North of the
Ohio River. A major part of this trail system passed through this
area. Undoubtedly some of our Howertons also appreciated
this area as several were living there during the Revolutionary
War.
Shortly before the Revolutionary War, John Howerton ( b abt 1750)
and his younger brother, William (b 1759) were living in
Montgomery County on the western frontier of Virginia. When
first formed, Montgomery County encompassed most of the sparsely
settled and unsettled area of western Virginia as well as the
present state of Kentucky. Both John and William served in
that western frontier area as private soldiers of the Virginia
Militia during the Revolutionary War. John apparently
served as a regular soldier, while William specialized as a
"spy". At that time an army "spy"
performed the duties of a scout conducting reconnaissance
missions similar to today's LRRPs (Long-Range Reconnaissance
Patrol) and Force Recon troops. Needless to say, these duties
were extremely dangerous and required expert stealthy woodsmen
capable of operating alone in a hostile environment, with the
stamina and ability to accurately assess and report what was
observed and heard.
Except for the Battle of Shallow Ford on Yadkin River where a
band of Tories were defeated and possibly the Battle of Guilford
County Courthouse, both in North Carolina ; the service of John
and William was against Indians, primarily Cherokee.
(NOTE:
Documentation has been found indicating the brothers' military
unit was at Guilford Courthouse, but it is uncertain
whether they were with their unit at the time of the battle. BRH)
Campaigns against the Indians were primitive, hazardous and often
barbaric. Wounded, when unable to walk, were unlikely to
survive and "walking wounded" were sure to suffer
extreme hardship when attempting to return to a frontier fort or
to the point where the expedition began.
In the years immediately following the defeat of Cornwallis at
Yorktown, the number of settlers on the frontier of Southwest
Virginia began to expand. Both John and William Howerton
and three sisters: Jane, who married Thomas Evans; Susannah, who
married Thomas Alley; and Frances, who married Stephen Jett
settled on creeks draining into Big Moccasin Creek.
Attacks upon settlers by Indians increased and small forts were
established throughout the area, providing a place of refuge from
Indian attacks. Many settlers lived in forts or smaller
"fort-houses", which were made of logs and constructed
to provide protection against Indians. We know that William
Howerton lived on Crabtree Creek, a tributary of Big Moccasin
Creek, adjacent to the Frazier and Combs families. Frazier had
built a fort in which he resided and whether William's family
lived there or just took refuge there during raids has not been
determined. It was common for several men to depart the fort and
remain together while planting their crops and return to the fort
at the end of the day. While this was not the most
efficient way of planting, it was by far the safest method.
It appears that the families of John, William and their sisters
lived in the same vicinity; perhaps, sharing the same fort.
After a few years, John, apparently tired of constant Indian
depredations, returned to a more thickly settled area of
Montgomery County. The number of settlers who were killed or
captured by Indians from shortly before the Revolutionary War
until 1794 has been estimated at over 3,000 with more than
another 1,000 wounded. The most aggressive Indians were the
Shawnees and Mingos who infiltrated from the Ohio country to the
North by way of low passes in the Cumberlands and the Cherokees
who followed streams, trade and war paths from the South.
Logan, a Mingo chieftain and Benge, a Cherokee half-breed who
became a minor chief were among the most notorious and merciless
Indian leaders conducting raids upon individuals and forts in the
area. Benge's raiding parties were often accompanied by a
renegade white man, named Hargus, who was said to be more cruel
and heartless than the Indians. Scouts were chosen from
volunteers and usually operated in pairs and in some cases as
many as four scouts would form a team. These scouts, including
William Howerton and Thomas Evans would range out from the
settlements, keeping known routes of Indian invasion under
surveillance in hope of providing sufficient warning to enable
settlers time to seek refuge in the small forts. The scouts were
accustomed to hardship, camped without fires and fired no shots
except as a last resort. Of course, the Indians were equally
accomplished woodsmen and the mere survival of the scouts is
proof of their ability and discipline.
In the Spring of 1777, Benge and a band of followers were
discovered in the area of Bluegrass Fort and an Indian was killed.
Runners were sent to warn other settlers and pursuit of the
Indians was undertaken. In the process, two women, Jane
Whittaker and Polly Alley (believed to be a cousin of the husband
of Susannah Howerton) were captured by the Indians and taken to
their village on the Ohio River. Initially, the women
were closely confined but some weeks later were stripped and
painted and permitted to wander within the village. After a
month or so, they managed a successful escape from the village
and after a harrowing journey, closely pursued by the
Indians, returned to their homes. At about the same
time, Fanny Napper and five children were killed and scalped by
Indians near Fort Blackmore. Fanny is believed to have been
a sister of Polly Alley, who escaped from the Indians.
On 14 Jul 1786, the family of James Moore, who had commanded a
company at the battles of Cowpens, Guilford County, and Kings
Mountain during the Revolutionary War, was attacked by a party of
47 Shawnee Indians. The oldest son, James Jr, had gone to the
field to get a horse as he intended to go to mill - apparently
unknown to his family, he was captured by the Shawnee, Black Wolf
and two other Indians and carried to the Shawnee Towns. The main
group first killed James Sr.; two of his children, William and
Rebecca were returning from a spring and were killed. Mrs. Moore and Martha Evans barred the door to the house, but the
Indians broke through. Martha Evans lifted a loose floor
plank and hid under the floor. The Indians captured Mrs. Moore and the remaining children, John, Jane, Polly and Peggy,
then set the house on fire. Martha soon came from under the
house and hid under a log that crossed a branch near the house.
An Indian, repairing his gun, came and sat on the log, and
thinking he was preparing to shoot her, Martha came out and was
taken captive. The group then began the trip to the Indian
towns. On the first day, they killed the boy, John, as he
was too weak to travel. The baby, Peggy, had been wounded
during the capture and was fretful - the Indians dashed her
brains out against a tree after two or three days. Soon
after reaching the Indian town, Mrs. Moore and her daughter,
Jane, were put to death by torture and burning at the stake as
witnessed by her daughter, Polly, and Martha Evans. Martha
later reported that Mrs. Moore had her body stuck full of light
wood splinters which were fired as she was tortured for three
days before an old squaw, more humane than the rest, killed her
with a tomahawk. About a year after his capture James Jr
was sold for $50 to a French trader and learned that his sister,
Polly, had been purchased by a Mr. Stagwell, a man of bad
character. James found his sister in very bad condition.
At about this time Thomas Evans, husband of Jane Howerton,
was searching for his kinswoman (probably his sister), Martha
Evans who had been purchased from the Indians by the Donaldson
family who lived in the Detroit area and had treated her kindly.
Finally, more than five years after their capture, James Moore Jr
and his sister, Polly were released from captivity by the efforts
of Thomas Evans. After their release to Evans, they began the
return trip to Southwest Virginia by going down the lakes to the
Moravian Towns. There, with Thomas Evans and his kinswoman,
Martha Evans, the party set out for Pittsburgh on horses they had
purchased. After an altercation with Indians from which
they escaped unharmed, they reached Pittsburgh safely.
They remained in the Pittsburgh area with an uncle of Thomas Evans
until Spring as Thomas had dislocated his shoulder.
Unexpected expense had depleted Thomas Evans' funds and he left
Martha with the uncle and traveled to the home in Virginia of an
uncle of James Jr and Polly. After receiving compensation
for his service, Thomas Evans returned to Pittsburgh and brought
Martha Evans back to Southwest Virginia.
In April 1794 the last known Indian raid in that area was
conducted by Benge, accompanied by at least six Indians.
They attacked the Livingston place at a time when family members
were scattered about working on the farm. Mrs. Livingston
was in the house with two small children and a baby and, being
alerted by their dogs, looked out and saw seven painted Indians
approaching the house. She shut and barred the door, which
the Indians began pounding, then fired two guns at the door. Mrs. Livingston fired back through the door and the Indians went
to an adjoining building and set it on fire. The smoke
caused her to open a door and an Indian immediately jumped
inside, taking her and the children prisoner. When taken
outside she saw that her other child and her sister had also been
captured along with four Negro slaves. As the Indians were
dividing the loot, Mrs. Livingston told the oldest daughter to
take the baby and run to a neighbor's house. The Indians
and prisoners crossed Clinch River and three days later camped at
the foot of Powell's Mountain. A party of settlers under County
Lieutenant Vincent Hobbs had set out to overtake the Indians and
free the prisoners. This party set up an ambush in a gap on
Powell's Mountain and when the Indians came into sight, Benge was
killed in the first volley. As usual, in the melee that
followed, the Indians attempted to kill their prisoners and Mrs. Livingston was struck in the head by a tomahawk as she was
defending herself as best she could with her arms. She fell
over a log and struck her head, becoming unconscious. After an
hour, she regained consciousness and found herself in the care of
friends who had rescued her. Four of the Indians were dead
and the others had escaped into the woods with one Negro, who
later escaped and returned. Benge, one of the most notorious
Indians, had killed, raided, burned and looted in that area for
many years, as well as capturing an unknown number of settlers.
Colonel Arthur Campbell, charged with protection of settlers in
that area, sent a report of the death of Benge, along with his
scalp as proof, to the Governor of Virginia. He requested
that Vincent Hobbs be presented with a "neat" rifle as
a reward for his service. Accordingly, the General Assembly
voted Lieutenant Hobbs a silver mounted rifle. We don't know all
the details of the individual service of John and William
Howerton. We know they were in the Militia units that were
called in effort to protect settlers from raiding Indians and
that they assisted in tracking Indians who had taken prisoners.
John Howerton remained in Montgomery County for the remainder of
his life.
William Howerton and his sister's families stayed in the area for
a few years after the Indian raids ceased. However, all
except possibly Stephen Jett and Frances moved farther West.
William Howerton and all his children, except William Jr moved to
the Floyd/Morgan County area of Kentucky. William Howerton
Jr moved to Grainger County, TN before 1830 and by 1850 was in
Pike County, AR. Thomas Evans and Jane moved to Fentress
County, TN. Thomas Alley and Susannah apparently moved from
the area.
(NOTE: Those interested in
greater detail concerning the numerous Indian raids in SW
Virginia, alongwith names of many of the people involved may
refer to the unpublished manuscript of Emory L Hamilton,
entitled, "Indian Atrocities Along the Clinch, Powell, and
Holston Rivers", which provided leads and some of the source
material for this article.)
The Howertons Run the Railroad
or
The Howerton Railroad
by
Millard O. "Legend"
Howerton
November 11, 1913 -
April 15, 1998
A true story of the descendants of Grief Howerton, following the line through Jackson Sr.; James K.; and William Rufus. This is the story of three of William's sons and his grandsons who helped run the railroad. Legend Howerton got his nickname because of his reputaion as a knowledgeable railroader and skillful engineer.
I grew up in Monett , Missouri, a little railroad town about forty miles west of Springfield, that is where my home is now. I came or rather I was brought to Monett at the age of three weeks. I am now past eighty three years old, that was a long time ago.
Millard at age 4
or 5
"already in the engineer's seat"
The "Frisco"
(St. Louis San Francisco Railroad)
came to Monett in about the 1870's.
My father Oscar Bert Howerton (b. May 9, 1882) and my uncle Peter Albert Howerton (b. May 13, 1884) came to Monett, from the Butterfield area, to work for the railroad. Dad went to work just a little while before I was born, in 1913. I think Peter came a little earlier.
Oscar Bert
Howerton
May 9, 1882 - June 14, 1954
There were many Howertons in Monett later on. Peter was an engineer, he had three sons, the youngest was born a month before I was, we are the only ones still living in our generation. All the rest are "Ancestors." The live ones are called relatives. Two of Peter's boys, Earl & Charles became engineers.
Cousins Charles A.
& Millard O. Howerton
Tulsa, Oklahoma 1996
Uncle John Jefferson Howerton (August 1, 1871) had three sons, all of them turned out to be railroaders in one job or another. John's three son's were Herbert (1901), Lee & Lester (twins-17 Sept. 1905). All three of the boys worked in the locomotive shops or "roundhouse."
I, Millard Oscar Howerton, son of Oscar Bert Howerton, also became an engineer. Between all of us we handled trains between Tulsa, OK, Ft. Smith, AR, St. Louis, MO. and Birmingham, AL. Of course we had some help from a few other engineers.
Millard O.
Howerton
age 25-27
Peter, John and Oscar are three of four sons of William Rufus Howerton. There were other children in these families, but I am only discussing individuals that turned out to be railroad men.
William Rufus
Howerton & Family
Left toRight
William Rufus, John Jefferson, James Monroe
Oscar Bert, Peter Albert, wife Nancy Adeline
Photo
taken in 1883
By the time we all grew up there was almost enough of us to run the rail road, hence the title I chose for this tale. There were eight Howertons working for the "Frisco."
My dad went to work at the freight house. After he had been there about ten years the freight house was moved to another town, dad transferred to the passenger station as a mail and baggage handler; he was there about another ten years. At that time many of the passenger trains were eliminated, which meant more lay offs and dad went to the round house where he worked as a machinist until he retired.
When my Uncle Peter hired out to fire locomotives they were required to make a certain number of student trips without pay, with different engineers. That rule was still in effect when I went to work. About forty years later. If the engineer was satisfied with your work he signed your letter. When you had enough signatures you could go to work for pay.
Now, in the last 20 years or so, young men are hired as student engineers. They are assigned to a regular engineer. The student is taught all he needs to know so he will be capable of handling a train over the road. This takes about six months. I have taught four or five students before I retired almost 20 years ago.
THE END
article and photos submitted by Millard's daughter, Kay C. Howerton Morrow
Links
HOWERTONS/BESTLANDS
MEETING HOUSE
By Bryan R
Howerton
For over one hundred years there has been a controversy among some descendants of early Howertons as to which ancestor donated the land on which Howertons Baptist Church presently sits at Howertons, Virginia. The subject has been purposely omitted from discussion because of its sensitive nature among some descendants. However, with the advent of Internet, email, etc., the subject frequently arises and if put to rest, would save a lot of time.
In a letter dated 3 August 1908, Mr.. W. E. Durham of Howertons, Virginia states:
" I am about the oldest person is Essex County, but only remember one Mr.s.. Howerton who lived on the farm adjoining my father, an excellent lady. I often heard (my parents) call the names of many of the Howertons they had known having been all raised up close together. Several of my family own and have erected magnificent buildings on the large Howerton estate. The Howertons Baptist Church founded by my great-grandfather, James Greenwood, is yet standing, the present being the third house on the lot of land given to the Baptist's by Thomas Howerton so my parents always told me."
In a letter dated 11 October 1933, Mr.. William Joseph Howerton, age 88, of South Boston, Va states:
"Our grandmother's name was Mary Ann Kirchville, and after the death of her first husband she married William Howerton, who gave to the church 5 acres of ground in Essex near the old homestead to all Protestant denominations. In 1854 the Baptists secured the interest of the other denominations and today stands a noble brick house of worship and is called 'Howerton's Meeting House'."
Some other descendants have also stated their ancestors, John and Heritage Howerton, gave the land to the church.
Suggest the reader keep in mind that although the name "Howertons Meeting House" and "Bestlands Meeting House" are used interchangeably by some to identify the present-day Howertons Baptist Church at Howertons, Virginia; there is a place called "Bestlands"located about three miles south of Howertons on the road to King and Queen County courthouse.
With the expansion of Old Piscataway Church in the late 18th century, additional meeting houses were established at various locations within the area served by that church to accommodate the growing membership. Howertons Meeting House (later named Howertons Baptist Church) was established next to John Howerton's Ordinary in the village of Howertons on one acre of land purchased from Thomas Clark and Benjamin Fisher. Because of the large number of people to be accommodated and travel difficulties, another meeting house was established at Bestlands. Several personal searches at Essex County courthouse have failed to produce any record of how or from whom the land was acquired for the Bestlands Meeting House. At the time of the establishment of the Bestlands Meeting House there were several Howerton families residing in that immediate area (where the original Thomas Howerton first settled).
A few inaccurate legends or tales have been disclosed during many years of research of the Howerton history. In almost all instances a "grain of truth" has been found; however, which later became distorted in the transmission between generations. It appears that may be the problem with the conflicting identification of the donor of land for a church in Essex County, Virginia; when actually two churches in a small area were attended and supported by Howertons. As so many Howertons lived in the Bestlands area at the time of the establishment of a meeting house at that place, it is certainly possible that one of them donated the land on which the meeting house was erected, although no land transfer record or name of donor has been found. The lack of a record for the transfer of ownership of the land on which the church sat at Bestlands is not as strange as it may sound. Searches through land records of dozens of Virginia county courthouses have revealed that in many instances in the 1700s and early 1800s records of initial acquisition of land do not exist. A person obtaining rural land from another would often fail to record that transaction until he sold the land. When questioned about that practice, court clerks offered different reasons: people did not often go to the courthouse; roads were bad; a man' s word was then his bond and as each transaction was witnessed, there was no problem in proving ownership when necessary.
The Howerton History database will be amended accordingly should any reader produce documented proof of donation of the land on which Howertons Baptist Church at Howertons, Virginia now stands.
AN ERA OF ELOQUENT WRITING
By
Wally Howerton
One of the small pleasures
as editor affords me the opportunity to read documents from years
gone by. I'd like to quote the old cliché, "the good old
days" as they certainly seem more romantic, more personal,
and the written word very often just sounded melodious. Take for
example the following excerpt
from a letter authored by Martha Howerton, c/o Johnson's Post
Office, Montgomery County, Tennessee to her cousin Mrs. Elize
Howerton, Halifax Courthouse, Virginia in the summer of 1837:
My Ever Dear Cousin,
My dear cousin I expect you have thought I had forgotten you by not writing to you before this. I do assure you I have thought of you much. I often think of the many delightful hours we have spent together around your fireside. But also we are now separated for which my dear cousin that I could enjoy your company once more. You have no idea how much I want to see you and all the family.
Cousin Elize, perhaps you would like to know how I am pleased with this country. I am very much pleased with the people and like the country very well and think I should be perfectly satisfied if your family and some 3 or 4 other families were out here. We are living in Tennessee but very near the Kentucky line. We have fine neighbors. One of your old acquaintances lives about 1/2 a mile from here. Mr.. Henry Young is the man to whom I allude to. He is a fine man and has a first rate wife. He has a daughter nearly grown and is going to school to Mr.. Downey. I have not seen Mrs. D yet. She lives about 10 miles from here. She lives in Christian County, Kentucky about 1 mile from Hopkinsville. She has a very fine school but I do not believe she is altogether satisfied. She wants to go to a free state. I think Cousin Elize this country would suit you very well. People here are much more on equality than they are in Old Virginia and neighbors does not think himself above another. This is not a fashionable part of the world. Much more so than I expect to find its people think a great deal bout the fashions and fine dress. Speaking of dress reminds me of the fashionable frocks they are worn here plain before and tight sleeves cut like a man's coat sleeves.
Tell Cousin Philip I wish he would take a notion to come to this country. I think he would like the land very well but cannot say that to anything else. Houses are very indifferent and timber very hard to get. Quality here lives in the log cabins. I think almost everything is convenient here but meat and bread and that you know you like very well. But I do not think this country would suit you on one account that you are too industrious you could not have cloth here like you do there. People have all their cotton to buy. I have not seen more than 5 or 6 homespun frocks since I have been to this country. The land will not bring cotton but I never seen such fields of corn in my life. The high land here is like the low land there.
Well, my dear cousin, I must begin to draw to a close by asking you to give my best love to Philip (Cousin) and tell him we would like to hear from him at any time. Kiss all the children for me. Tell Susannah I think of her often. My best love to your sister Judy and remember me to all your brothers and tell your brother Charles I have seen some very pretty girls since I have been here. Tell Aunt Sally and Cousin Sindy and Lucindy and all the Negroes howdy for me. My best love to Mr. and Mrs. Dresser when you see them. I hope when I hear from you to hear you have gotten well and can see as well as ever. Do not forget to kiss little Charles for me. I am compelled to stop for I am almost blind. I never had such sore eyes in my life. You must excuse bad writing and all mistakes as I can hardly see. We are all well at present and hope this may find you all the same. Sister Mary and Cousin Robert join with me in our love to you and all the family. Your sincere friend until death.
/s/ Martha J Howerton
Johnson's, Tennessee
I'm not familiar with Martha's level of education. I would guess maybe some high school. To me she writes like an English Literature teacher. Also, I suppose I am jealous of the way kinfolk were not ashamed to reveal their feelings for one another. Must have been something good in all those fireside chats.
ELLSWORTH RONALD HOWERTON:
ARTIST-MURALIST
by
Naomi Howerton McMurry & Wally Howerton
Ronald
Howerton
September 4, 1909 - November 28, 1977
While coordinating the article "The Howertons Run the Railroad" written by Millard O. Howerton, I was drawn to some of my old files where I remembered a Howerton who was an artist and loved to paint trains. I'm happy to say that I was able to contact Ronald's daughter Naomi Howerton McMurry and she supplied me with additional information about Ronald Howerton. She writes:
Ronald Howerton was born in Hutto (Williamson County) Texas, September 4, 1909. Hutto is black land farming and Ronald's father
(Ellsworth Roy Howerton b June 21 1888; d November 19, 1952) was not a successful farmer but when Ronald was about four years old he tried again at Pilot Point, Texas. When Ronald was in his teenage years, his family moved to Childress, Texas where his father worked at West Texas Utilities. Electricity had become the "In Thing!"Ronald finished his schooling in Childress and moved on to Dalhart, Texas. Not long after, he met Helen Claire Mitchell (b August 7, 1909; d August 18, 1991) and they were married in May, 1932. At that time Ronald made his living as an interior decorator. They had four children:
Richard Ray b. June 24, 1933
Helen Louise b. November 4, 1935
Naomi Kay b.August 3, 1942
William Stanley b. January 22, 1946Ronald was a gifted storyteller, musician, and artist. He always had a good story ready for any occasion or circumstance. He loved to retell Justin Wilson's stories, dialect and all. During the 30s and 40s, Ronald played the guitar and bass fiddle and played with "The Sons of the West" in Amarillo, Texas and also with local dance bands at the Trinon Dance Hall in Dalhart.
He began to paint as a very young boy. His mother, (Catherine Roxie "Kittie" Roberson Howerton b June 12, 1884; d July 2, 1953) taught him about colors, depth, and other things. He painted his first picture when he was twelve years old and gave it to his aunt. It was still in existence in 1978.
He began teaching art classes in 1954 and through the years taught many classes in Texas and Oklahoma. He was always glad to give demonstrations from grade school to art festivals. He brought life to the open range with its cowboys, Indians and horses, steam locomotives, threshing machines, windmills and the beauty of nature. Roanald passed from this life in November of 1977 but he left behind so much for us to enjoy.
submitted by:
Naomi Howerton McMurry
April 2000
The black and white photostat copies I have of Ronald's work certainly do not do him any justice but I think the reader will agree, even from these rough representations, that Ronald was truly an artist of the highest caliber.
Copied from unknown magazine clipping:
Ronald Howerton is a veteran painter of broad horizons. For him each theme is a problem that must be resolved. He possesses a rich and lively palette and takes from it true colors of chromatic harmonies - the gift of a painter who completely knows his own art.
A superb draftsman himself, he continuously stresses the importance of good composition and a complete drawing. Believing as he does, that if the drawing is good the painting is good.
There is nothing trivial in his subjects. They range from the paintings of the open range country to the mountains, the deserts, the oil fields, and the railroads. He has a special talent for expressing the open vastness of the western plains and fields. Fascinated as a child by the era of steam; the steam locomotives, the steam threshing engines, and finds that these are still his favorite subjects. In the course of drawings and paintings of these machines he has had the opportunity to number many trainsmen, oil field workers, ranchers, cowboys, and farmers as his friends.
According to the article, Ronald's address at the time of the writing was Dalhart, Texas. He was also a teacher in Amarillo, Shamrock, Miami, Pampa, and Perryton.
Ronald Howerton
just prior to his death in 1977
John Howerton and Beth Dunphy
John Howerton of Williamsburg, Virginia will wed Beth Dunphy, also of Williamsburg, on Friday, June 2, 2000. The Wedding will take place in historic Williamsburg.
John is the son of Walter S. Howerton, Jr. and Sharon Howerton of Summerville, SC. John is career Coast Guard and is selected for Chief Petty Officer. Beth just recently completed her tour in the Coast Guard and plans to enter college in the fall. We wish them best of luck!
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