Person Page

     Howard Sowle was born about 1839 in New York.^1,2,4
     He was a farmer, living with his brother Bronson's family in Sherman, Sedgwick Co., Kansas, in 1880.⁴ In his father's probate records, dated September 1887, he is listed as living in Wichita, Sedgwick Co., Kansas.¹

     Margaret Elizabeth Sowle was born on 27 November 1843 (based on her age at death of 61 years, 6 months, and 5 days) in Round, Michigan.^1,6,5 She was married by W. J. Clark to William Jackson McHench, son of William McHench and Ann Ferguson, on 18 November 1868 in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan.^6,7,5 She died on 1 June 1905 in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan, at age 61 from epithelioma.¹ She was buried on 3 June 1905 at Fairview Cemetery in Livingston Co., Michigan.^8,1
     She went by the name of "Maggie."^5,4 She and her husband William lived in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan, most of their lives. In 1900 a servant, Alice Renny, was living with them.^9,10,11

     William Jackson McHench was born on 16 September 1831 on a farm in Gilboa (the McHench genealogy says Broome Center), Schoharie Co., New York.^3,5,6 He was married by W. J. Clark to Margaret Elizabeth Sowle, daughter of Eli L. Sowle and Mary Jane (?), on 18 November 1868 in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan.^5,2,7 He died on 1 January 1910 (or 1 January 1911, according to an article at the Brighton Area Historical Society web site) in Bradenton, Manistee Co., Florida (the Directory of Deceased American Physicians says Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan), at age 78.^6,1,8 He was buried at Fairview Cemetery in Livingston Co., Michigan.⁸
     He and his wife Margaret lived in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan, most of their lives. In 1900 a servant, Alice Renny, was living with them.^9,10,11
     William received his early education in the local schools where he grew up in Schoharie Co., New York, followed by two years at the Malone Academy in Franklin Co., New York.³ In the fall of 1853 he came to Michigan³ and taught school in Green Oak and Brighton Townships in Livingston Co.³
     In the spring of 1854 he began studying medicine with Dr. Ira P. Bingham in Brighton.³ He enrolled in the medical program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co., in 1855, and graduated in 1858.³
     He continued working with Dr. Bingham in Brighton after his graduation³, then moved his practice to New Hudson, Oakland Co., Michigan, in January 1859.³ In October 1859 he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to attend lectures at the Jefferson Medical School and Hospital.³ He returned to Brighton in the spring of 1860.³
     On 1 July 1864 he traveled to Baltimore, Maryland, to began service with the Union Army under contract as an assistant surgeon, eventually managing four hospital wards.³ He returned to Brighton after the war.³ In 1870 he went to New York to attend lectures on diseases of the eyes, ears, heart, and lungs, primarily at Bellevue Hospital.³
     He was a member of the Oakland Academy of Medicine, the State Medical Association of Michigan, and the American Medical Association. In 1876 he was one of four Michigan delegates at the Centennial Medical Convention in Philadelphia, and in 1880 was a delegate to the convention in New York.³

     Bronson C. Sowle was born in September 1849 in Michigan.^4,2,3 He married Maggie E. Thompson on 12 May 1875 in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois.^5,4 He died on 27 July 1911 at age 61.⁶ He was buried at Little Rock National Cemetery (Plot 9, 6029) in Little Rock, Pulaski Co., Arkansas.⁶
     He served during the Civil War in Co. I of the 11th Michigan Cavalry, enlisting on 17 March 1865 in Pontiac, Michigan. In the records his age at the time is listed as 17, but he was actually just 15. During his service the regiment was part of Gen. George Stoneman's campaign in North and South Carolina, destroying facilities used for making goods needed by Confederate troops, including the Patterson yarn mill near Blowing Rock, North Carolina, and the Moratock Iron Works in Danbury, North Carolina. On 20 July 1865 the 11th Michigan Cavalry was incorporated into the 8th Michigan Cavalry, where he joined Co. A. He was mustered out on 22 September 1865 in Nashville, Tennessee.^7,8
     He and his wife Maggie moved from Missouri to Kansas sometime between August 1878, when their son Fred was born in Missouri, and March 1880, when their son Charles was born in Kansas.⁴ They are listed in the census of 1880 in Sherman, Sedgwick Co., Kansas, along with their children Howard, Fred P., and Charles. Bronson's brother Howard was also living with them.⁹ In his father's probate records, dated September 1887, he is listed as living in Wichita, Sedgwick Co., Kansas.¹ By 1900 they had moved to North Enid, Garfield Co., Oklahoma. They are listed there in the 1900 census, with their children Howard, Fredric, Charles, Frank, and Laura.⁴ They and their daughter Laura are listed in Enid, Garfield Co., Oklahoma, in 1910.¹⁰
     He was a farmer most of his life, but was working as a rural mail carrier in 1910.^9,4,10

     Frank B. Sowle was born about 1855 (although he's listed as age 35 in his father's probate records in 1887) in Michigan.^1,2
     In his father's probate records, dated September 1887, he is listed as living in Hollister, San Benito Co., California.¹

     Mary Jane (?) was born on 23 June 1818 in New York.^1,2,3 She married Eli L. Sowle, son of John Sowle and Deborah (?), about 1838.^4,1,2 She died on 5 May 1868 at age 49.³ She was buried at Old Brighton Village Cemetery in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan.³
     She and her husband Eli moved to Michigan in 1840, settling in Ionia Co.⁵ They moved to Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan, in 1845.⁵ They are listed in the census of 1850 in Brighton Twp., Livingston Co., Michigan, along with Howard (age 11), Emerson (9), Margaret (6), and Bronson (1). Also listed in the same household are Albert and Saml. Sowle (ages 23 and 12). Her name is listed as "Jane".¹
     They were again listed in Brighton Twp. in 1860. This time she is listed as "Mary Jane." Listed in the same household are John E. (age 8), Maggie E. (15), Bronson C. (10), Frank B. (5), and Jennie L. (1). Living with them was John Christian, a farm hand born in Germany.²

     Emerson Sowle was born about 1842 in Michigan.^1,2 He may have died before September 1887, as he is not listed in his father's probate records.³
     During the Civil War, Emerson Sowle served in Company I of the Fifth Michigan Infantry. On 30 April 1861 a large "Union Mass Meeting" was held in Howell, Livingston Co., Michigan, in response to President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men after the fall of Fort Sumter. Two companies from Howell were formed that summer, one of which became Company I.
     The men trained at Fort Wayne, near Detroit, for several weeks, with many people believing that they would never be needed in the field. The Union defeat at Bull Run changed that, however, and on 27 August 1861 the company was mustered into service. Emerson Sowle was listed as a Private in the original company roster.
     On the evening of 11 Sept the company left Detroit for Cleveland on the steamer Ocean, after a ceremony earlier that afternoon attended by hundreds of local citizens, friend, and relatives. They arrived in Cleveland around 3:00 AM, and boarded a train for Pittsburgh around 9:00 AM. People lined the track along the route to see them pass. At Atwater, Portage Co., Ohio, they stopped to eat, and the people there brought out "barrels, boxes, bags, and baskets filled to overflowing with fruits, pies, cakes, meats, eggs, and, in fact, all that the most delicate palate could crave."
     They arrived in Pittsburgh around 9:00 that evening, where they ate supper, and changed trains to head for Harrisburg, where they arrived between 2:00 and 3:00 AM. From there they rode "cattle cars of the most old and dilapidated kind" to Baltimore, changed to more modern cars, and arrived in Washington on Sunday morning, 15 Sept 1861.
     That night they marched 3-4 miles to Meridian Hill, in northwest Washington. On 18 Sept they marched through the city to the arsenal, where they were issued Springfield muskets, then over the Long Bridge to Arlington, Virginia. The next day they marched just two miles to Hunter's Chapel, and set up camp. On 22 Sept they were placed on picket duty, about two miles closer to the front, their first time within hearing distance of hostile fire.
     On 28 Sept the Company was moved to Munson's Hill, Virginia, where they cut timber and helped construct earthworks. On 12 October they were again moved, to Hunter's Creek two miles south of Alexandria, where they performed similar work during the building of Fort Lyon. They stayed there about two months, then moved about three miles down the Potomac to "Camp Michigan" where they spent the winter in relative comfort.
     In March of 1862, as part of the Army of the Potomac, they feinted toward Manassas, then moved down the Potomac to Fortress Monroe. The army moved to the Peninsula, and on 4 April marched toward Yorktown, arriving the next day. The Company remained there for the four-week siege of Yorktown, until 4 May when they discovered that the enemy had retreated toward Richmond.
     The Company participated in the pursuit of the enemy, and on 5 May heroically engaged the enemy at Williamsburg. Out of about 500 men, the Fifth Michigan Infantry had 153 killed and wounded. Five of the dead and fifteen of the wounded were from Company I, and an additional six were listed as missing.
     Private Sowle missed the battle at Williamsburg, however. He apparently became ill at Fortress Monroe, and was confined to a hospital. He was discharged there for disability on 30 April (or 1 May) 1862.^4,5
     In 1880 he was a laborer, living in Phillipsburg, Deer Lodge Co., Montana Territory. He shared a household with Thomas Williams, age 49, a painter born in England.²

     Gertrude McHench was born on 17 September 1870 in Brighton, Livingston Co., Michigan.² She married Richard T. Ward on 15 April 1912 in Hillsborough Co., Florida.^3,4,5,6
     She and her husband Richard lived in Bradenton, Manatee Co., Florida.^7,8

     Maggie E. Thompson was born in April 1852 in Norway.⁴ She married Bronson C. Sowle, son of Eli L. Sowle and Mary Jane (?), on 12 May 1875 in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois.^2,4
     Her daughter Laura's death certificate lists her given name as Elizabeth.⁵ She immigrated to the United States in 1864.⁴ She and her husband Bronson moved from Missouri to Kansas sometime between August 1878, when their son Fred was born in Missouri, and March 1880, when their son Charles was born in Kansas.⁴ They are listed in the census of 1880 in Sherman, Sedgwick Co., Kansas, along with their children Howard, Fred P., and Charles. Bronson's brother Howard was also living with them.¹ By 1900 they had moved to North Enid, Garfield Co., Oklahoma. They are listed there in the 1900 census, with their children Howard, Fredric, Charles, Frank, and Laura.⁴ They and their daughter Laura are listed in Enid, Garfield Co., Oklahoma, in 1910.⁶
     On 11 August 1911 she applied for a widow's pension based on her husband Bronson's military service in the Civil War.³

     Howard E. Sowle was born on 5 December 1876 in Missouri.^1,3 He married as his second wife Mary C. (?) about 1912.^4,5
     In 1910 Howard E. Sowle was living as a boarder, and widower, in the household of Amos Foster in Simpson Twp., Dewey Co., Oklahoma.⁶ He and his second wife Mary lived in Vici, Dewey Co., Oklahoma, from at least 1918 to 1930.^1,4,5 He was a mail carrier, and later postmaster in Vici.^6,4,5 He and Mary had the following known children, all born in Oklahoma: Bertha (b abt 1913), Lenita (b abt 1915), Freda May (b abt February 1917).⁴

     Fred B. Sowle was born on 29 August 1878 in Daviess Co., Missouri.^4,3,5 He married first Mable N. (?) about 1901.⁶ He married second Lela D. (?) between 1920 and 1930.^7,8,9
     He and his first wife Mable lived in Enid, Garfield Co., Oklahoma, from at least 1910 to 1920. In 1910 Norman Donavan, Fred's "nephew-in-law," was living with them.^6,7 They had one child, who died before 1910.⁶
     He and his second wife Lela were living in Geary, Blaine Co., Oklahoma, in 1930, with her children David, Helen, and Herman Leeper from her first marriage.⁸ In 1942 they were living at 715 West Randolph in Enid, Garfield Co., Oklahoma.¹
     He was a railway mail clerk.^6,7,8

     Charles Lucius Sowle was born on 2 March 1880 in Andale, Sedgwick Co., Kansas.^1,3 He married Katie W. (?) about 1907.^4,1
     He and his wife Katie lived in Garfield Co., Oklahoma, in North Enid in 1910⁴, in Hobart Twp. in 1920⁵, and in Banner Twp. from at least 1930 to 1942.^6,1 They had the following known children, all born in Oklahoma: Donavan H. (b abt 1908), Edward T. (b abt 1909, probably d bef 1920), Fred Burton (or Burton Fred, b abt 1913), Victor W. (b abt 1915), Charles Morris (or Morris Charles, b abt 1917), Larry D. (b abt 1919).^4,5,6

     Amoretta (?) was born about 1820 in New York.¹ She married Johnson Wason, son of Robert Wason and Elizabeth Rogers, in 1837.^1,2
     She and her husband Johnson are listed in the census of 1870 in Otsego Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, along with their son James, age 22. Living next door were Homer Wason (age 28) and his family, indicating that Homer may have also been their son.¹

     James Wason was born in 1848 in Michigan (the 1880 census says New York).^2,1,3 He married Fannie (?) before 1876.³ He died in 1927.² He was buried at Mountain Home Cemetery in Otsego, Allegan Co., Michigan.²
     He and Fannie had the following known children: Lizzie (b abt 1886), Lenora (b abt 1887), Luella (b abt 1888).³

     Sarah L. Fisher was born about 1843 in New York.¹ She married Ira Porter Town, son of Lyman Town and Betsey Porter, on 20 October 1861 in Geauga Co., Ohio.^2,1 She died on 23 February 1881.²
     On 22 October 1878 she and her husband Ira sold 33 acres of land along what is now the main road between Parkman and Middlefield to her husband's cousin Polly M. Town for $1420.² She and Ira had two known children, William Lyman (b 5 September 1876) and Arthur D. (b 1879, d 1922).²

     Israel Porter was baptized on 12 February 1643 in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony.¹ He married Elizabeth Hathorne, daughter of William Hathorne and Anne (?), on 20 November 1672 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,3 He died in November 1706 at age 63.¹
     In his father's will, dated 28 April 1673 and proved 26 September 1676, Israel Porter received his father's home place and the adjoining orchards and land, plus 60 acres at Skelton's Neck, and his father's interest in a sawmill near there. He and his brothers Joseph and Benjamin also received the remaining 150 acres at Skelton's Neck.¹
     He served as a trial juror in 1674 and 1677, and as selectman 1680-84, 1686, 1690-98, and 1700.¹ He was also ensign of the 2nd foot-company in 1681.¹ He left a large estate.¹

     Elizabeth Hathorne was born on 22 July 1649 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She was baptized on 29 July 1649 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.³ She married Israel Porter, son of John Porter and Mary (?), on 20 November 1672 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,3

     William Hathorne was born about 1606 (his age was reported as about 51 on 2 December 1658, and as 63 on 1 November 1670) probably in Bray, Berkshire, England.^3,4 He married Anne (?), probably in New England in 1634.⁴ He died in April 1681 at his Mill Pond farm in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^4,3
     He was a well-known merchant, legislator, justice, orator, and civic leader in the young Massachusetts colony. Edward Johnson, in Wonder-Working Providence published in 1654, described him as "the godly Captain William Hathorne, whom the Lord hath indued with a quick apprehension, strong memory, and rhetorick, volubility of speech, which hath caused the people to make use of him often in publick service."⁴
     According to the Wildes genealogy, he may have emigrated from England with his sister Elizabeth and possibly his brother John on the Arbella as part of the Winthrop fleet, arriving in Salem, Massachusetts, on 14 June 1630. However, The Great Migration Begins says he emigrated in 1633.^4,3
     He began his political career in Dorchester, Massachusetts, was made a freeman on 14 May 1634, and also served as selectman.^4,3 The next two years he was that town's Deputy to the General Court.^4,3
     By 1637 he had moved to Salem, Massachusetts, where he had been granted a one-acre house lot on 20 December 1636.^3,4 In 1637 he was granted 200 acres in what is now Danvers, including a hill later known as Hathorne hill.⁴ He was also admitted to the church in Salem in 1637. (Davis says it was his brother John that was admitted in 1637, but Anderson says that this is an error).^2,3 Four years later he moved to a 100-acre grant one mile southeast of the Salem meeting house, in order to be closer to his work. He named this property the Mill Pond farm, and built a new house there.⁴ In 1651 he built a second house in town, on the lot he had been granted when he first arrived in Salem.⁴
     His political career continued in Salem. In 1637 he took his brother-in-law Richard Davenport's spot in the General Court. Except for three years, he represented Salem there continuously from 1639 to 1661. In 1639 he helped create laws for the colony, and with two others wrote the copies delivered to individual towns. In 1643 he and Simon Bradstreet were chosen to represent Massachusetts in the newly-formed New England Confederation. He was first appointed Speaker of the General Court in May 1644, and again in 1645, 1646, 1648, 1650, 1657, 1660, and 1661.^4,3
     In 1646 he, Gov. Thomas Dudley, and Major-General Daniel Denison were sent to deal with the Frenchman d'Aulnay at St. Croix.⁴ Later, when Massachusetts took control over Maine in 1657, the General Court dispatched him, Denison, and Simon Bradstreet there to "receive the submission of the inhabitants."⁴
     He was also active in local affairs in Salem and Essex Co. Except for a few years, he was a member of the Essex Co. Quarterly Court from 1638 to 1679, and selectman in Salem from 1650 to 1675. He served as Commissioner to End Small Causes in 1655, 1656, 1658, and 1661, and in numerous other local positions and committees.^4,3
     In his father's will, dated 18 May 1650 and proved on 2 May 1651, he was left £100 to be paid by his brother Robert within two years.²
     He received various land grants from the General Court as reward for his services, including 400 acres in New Hampshire in 1651, as well as 1/4 of Block Island and a farm in Groton at other times.⁴
     He had been made captain of the Salem militia on 1 October 1645. He was apparently not a popular choice, however. On 23 April 1646 Emmanuel Downing wrote "... our town is much troubled for the putting out of their old Captain, whereupon a day was appointed by Captain Hauthorne for a new choice at which time the old Captain [William Trask] was chosen again, having almost twenty votes more than the new [William Hathorne]. Both will be presented to the court." The court chose Hathorne, and he was named Captain on 6 May 1646. He was promoted to Major in 1656.^4,3
     Starting in 1656, during his time on the court in Essex Co., persecution of the Quakers began in Massachusetts. In Salem they were fined heavily, and the court sent many to prison in Boston, where they suffered severe penalties or even death.⁴
     On 2 January 1664/65, before the marriage of their children Joseph Porter and Anna Hathorne, he and John Porter made a contract in which Major Hathorne agreed to give Anna £50 within two years of her marriage, and Sergt. Porter agreed to give Joseph the Downing farm and a 1/2 acre lot in Salem on his wedding day, plus "£50 in horses, cattle, hides, cider, corn, and money" within one year.⁵
     In 1666 he was named as an Assistant (i.e., part of the Governor's Council, a level above the General Court in the legislative process, and also acted as a Supreme Court in the judicial process), a position he occupied the rest of his life. This earned him the title of "the Worshipful Major Hathorne."⁴
     At about that time, because of the political situation in England, there were fears that the Massachusetts charter would be revoked. This caused much unrest in the colony, and a speech Hathorne gave to the Salem militia expressed views that some thought were disloyal to England. A letter from King Charles II in the summer of 1666 ordered that "the Governor and Council of Massachusetts Bay do forthwith make choice of four or five persons to attend upon His majesty, whereof Mr. Richard Bellingham and Major William Hathorne are to be two, both which His Majesty commands upon their allegiance to attend." The colony declared their loyalty to England, sent gifts to the king, and Bellingham and Hathorne remained in Massachusetts.⁴
     He eventually moved back to Mill Pond farm, after giving his house in Salem to his son Eleazor.⁴
     His will was dated 17 February 1679/80 and proved on 28 June 1681. His wife Anne was named executrix, and received all of his moveable estate. To his son John he left all of his houses, land, orchard, and appurtenances in Salem. His late son William had already received 320 acres of the Groton farm. The rest of the Groton farm was left to his grandson Jervice Helwise, "provided he come over out of Urop to enjoy it"; otherwise, it was to go to the two oldest living sons of his daughter Sarah by her second husband Joseph Coker. To his grandsons William and Samuel, sons of his deceased son Eleazer, he left £40 each, and to their sister Abigail, he left £20. To his other grandchildren he left 10s each. The overseers were his son John and son-in-law Israel Porter.⁴
     His estate was inventoried on 10 June 1681 by Hilliard Veren, Sr., and John Pickering. It was valued at £754 3s, including £450 for the house, land, orchard, and outbuildings. The 640-acre Groton farm was valued at £50. Also included was silver plate worth £8, clothing worth £15, a table, bed, and linen worth £11, old books worth £4 10s, and £110 in cash. Included in the estate were three guns, three old pistols, a rapier, and a cutlass. His funeral cost £42, a large sum for that time period.^4,3

More Information / Background

• Puritan migration to New England (1620–1640)
  
• New England's Great Migration
  
• William Hathorne.
  

     Elizabeth Porter was born on 7 October 1673 (the Wildes genealogy says 2 October 1673).^1,2 She married first Joseph Putnam on 21 April 1690 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 She married second Thomas Perley ("Capt. Thomas Perley of Boxford") on 15 May 1727.¹ She died in 1746.¹

     Joseph Putnam was born on 14 September 1669 in Salem Village, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married Elizabeth Porter, daughter of Israel Porter and Elizabeth Hathorne, on 21 April 1690 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^2,3 He died in 1724/25 in Salem Village, Essex Co., Massachusetts.²