Biography of William M. Howell: 19th Mayor of Logan
Dates in Office: 1920-1922
Terms in Office: 1
Age when Elected: 39
William M. Howell was born 5 May 1881 in Wellsville, Utah a son of Joseph Williams Howell or Morgan and Mary Elizabeth Maughan.He married Celestia (Lettie) Baker 12 November 1903 in Salt Lake City and they are the parents of four sons[1].He died 5 May 1949 in Salt Lake City and is buried in the Logan Cemetery.[2]
Mr. Howell's father was Utah's first state representative to the national congress.[3]Hon. William Maughan Howell, recognized as one of the leading business men of the Cache Valley, served as mayor of Logan, to which office he was elected November 4, 1919 and from that city he controlled important banking, agricultural and commercial interests. In his youth he attended the district schools and later attended the Utah Agricultural College, where for a period of four years he specialized in commercial lines, thus receiving comprehensive and thorough training as a preparation for his alter active career.
In 1903 Mr. Howell removed to Logan and became active in business with his father and brothers.In these connections he rose steadily and as his capabilities and powers increased he was given added responsibilities and duties and in the conduct of his business affair gained the confidence of his fellow citizens. As a result of his untiring energy, coupled with natural ability, he was honored with the office of president of the Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank, president of the Howell Real Estate and Investment Company, vice president of the Promontory-Curlew Land company and president of the Allendale Land Company, and in addition he was senior partner in the firm of Howell Brothers, clothiers, of Logan.[4]
In 1926 Mr. Howell was elected director of the Federal Land bank, Berkeley, Cal. He served four years in that capacity, later being appointed manager of the bank's Utah loan division and served until 1940.[5]
Mr. Howell was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and spent three years in Europe doing missionary service. What he accomplished in a business way entitles him to classification with the most substantial citizens of the Cache Valley and his course was one well worthy of emulation.[6]
[1] Warrum Noble, ed., Utah Since Statehood: Historical and Biographical (Chicago : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1919) 4:245
[2] Family Group Record (FamilySearch Ancestral File v4.19)
[3]Obituary, The Journal, Logan, Utah, Friday, May 6, 1949.
[4] Warrum Noble, ed., Utah Since Statehood: Historical and Biographical (Chicago : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1919) 4:242-245
[5] Obituary, The Herald-Journal, Logan, Utah Friday May 6 1949.
[6] Warrum Noble, ed., Utah Since Statehood: Historical and Biographical (Chicago : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1919) 4:242-245
