John Howlett married Ruhama Ayers, the daughter of John & Elizabeth Ayers. Ruhama was 6 years old when the
family left Pennsylvania and headed west. Her mother died on the way is buried on the prairie. Her father arrived in Illinois and settled in Dixon (Lee County).
Thirteen children were born to John & Ruhama (Ayers) Howlett all born in Thomas, Bureau Co IL.
Oliver born 20 May 1860, Alice Nettie 15 March 1871, Ethel,
Mary Martha 25 November 1852, George Washington 1854, Ellen 28 July 1858,
Esther Ann 3 November 1862, John R. 7 December 1864, Charles D. 19
November 1865, Patience Astrep 22 September 1872, Elizabeth 12 January 1876,
Minnie Maria 30 April 1878 and Frank William 6 April 1879 in Thomas, IL.
John Howletts 2nd wife as Nancy Harris.
Minnie was born in Thomas, Bureau Co IL on the 2nd of July 1893.
This is the wedding photo of Clyde and Minnie - but we aren't sure just when they married.
The only child born to Minnie & Clyde was Lavona born around 1915, but they lost her when she four years old.
Minnie died at the age of 53 in the Round Grove Convalescent Home where she had been living but a few months.
John Howlett was born 18 April 1825 in Messingham, Lincolnshire, England.
His death occurred 20 January 1907 in Tampico IL, with the burial taking place in the
Tampico Memorial Cemetery Tampico, IL.
John was in the Civil War Jan-Dec. of 1865. Private, Co B. 9th Calvary- He road a mule.
He came to New York from England and moved on to Michigan, then on to Portland, Whiteside County via boat on the Rock River. There he rented land to farm.
In 1851 he bought 80 acres in Bureau County Illinois, Fairfield Township- Post Office address being Thomas, IL
On John Howletts Pension Claim Form, it lists disability as "Rheumatism & Piles". The doctor who filled it out also wrote "Had rheumatism for years, mostly in back, occasionally in left hip. Now complains of 
Oliver Howlett, son of John & Ruhama (Ayers) Howlett, was born 20 May 1860.
His marriage to Betty Newell was on
22 February 1881 in New Bedford IL. She was the daughter of James & Betsy (Johnson) Newell, born 19 September 1862. Betty died from complication of childbirth
23 January 1885 in Tampico after the birth of Floyd. Their other child was Maude Mae Howlett was born 10 October 1882, she married Joseph Bernard Reiley. His second marriage in 1885
to Phoebe Thompson resulted in the birth of 10 more children; Elmer, Vergle, Kate, Minnie, Harvey, Zeta, Gladys, Howard, Artie and Clarence.
Phoebe Thompson, daughter of William & Elizabeth (Hollinshead) Thompson, was born 14 March 1864, died 9 June 1957 in Canada.
On the right, Floyd Howlett at the top left and next to him is his sister Maude Mae Howlett, children of
Oliver and Betty (Newell) Howlett. The rest of the children are no doubt their 1/2 brothers and
sisters - children of Oliver and his second wife Phoebe (Thompson) Howlett.
On the left is
Floyd Howlett in his older years. He was born 24 October 1884 in Bureau County, died 9 January 1970 in Princeton. He was married to
Selma H. Heurlin 29 January 1906. It is said he was a "Jack of all Trades" but did well as a salesman.
Minnie Nellie Howlett was the daughter of Oliver & Phoebe (Thompson) Howlett.
