HOWLAND, Thomas
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 440-442

Thomas HOWLAND, an esteemed veteran of the Civil war, residing at Reedsburg 
[Sauk County, WI], was born in the town of Laurens, Otsego County, NY, 30 Jun 
1832. His parents were William C. and Abigail (ELDRED) HOWLAND. His 
grandfather, Charles HOWLAND, came from Dutchess County, NY, and was a scion 
of an English Quaker family which located in one of the New England colonies 
at an early date. His wife's name was Sarah IRISH.

William C. HOWLAND was a native of New Lisbon [Otsego County], NY, and spent 
his life [p 441] in Otsego County, reaching the age of 79 years. He was a 
wheelwright by trade, the chief products of his skill being spinning wheels, 
quill wheels, etc., for which there was a considerable local demand in his 
time. He had learned the art from his father and was known as a competent 
workman and exemplary citizen. Mrs. Abigail HOWLAND died at the age of 44 
years in the town of Tompkins, Delaware County, NY. Her father, Thomas 
ELDRED, was a veteran of the Revolutionary war, in which a number of his 
relatives also participated. After his death, his widow, whose maiden name 
was WEATHERLY, married Joshua CARD, who had served his country in the war of 
1812.

Thomas HOWLAND is the eldest of a family which comprises six sons and three 
daughters, all of whom are now living. Besides the public school, he spent a 
short time at a select school in his native town, making the most of his 
opportunities, and as he was blessed with a remarkable memory, he has 
retained most of the information gleaned in his boyhood. He taught for six 
winters, working at the carpenter trade in summer, and subsequently learned 
the trade of millwright with Darwin FELTOR, since superintendent of water 
works at Binghamton [Broome County], NY, for many years.

In 1868 Mr. HOWLAND came to WI, locating at Cazenovia, Richland County. 
There he carried on a farm and also followed the carpenter trade. He also 
spent some time at Merrill [Lincoln County], WI, as millwright and carpenter. 
Since 1894 he has been a resident of Reedsburg [Sauk County, WI], and though 
he has nearly reached the allotted age of man [the "allotted age of man" is 
given in other biographies as "three score and ten," or 70 years], he is 
still conspicuous for his physical and intellectual activity.

While a young man he joined the NY militia, and was for seven years a member 
of Company E, 41st Regiment, 19th Brigade, of that organization. 16 Aug 
1862, he enlisted in Company A, 144th NY Volunteer Infantry, and served to 
the close of the war, being honorably discharged 26 Jun 1865. Though he 
repeatedly declined any promotion, he was appointed corporal 21 Nov 1864. 
Among the engagements in which he participated may be mentioned the siege of 
Suffolk, VA, the siege of Charleston, SC, the battle of John's Island, siege 
of Fort Wagner, and the expedition against Andersonville, SC. While on a 
forced march to Warrenton Junction 09 Jul 1863, he received a light 
sunstroke, from the effects of which he was temporarily disabled. 09 Jul 
1864, at John's Island, SC, he headed a band of seven volunteers to tear up a 
bridge in close proximity to the enemy. Four of the number were shot and 
their bodies fell into the river, while he received three bullet wounds in 
different parts of his body almost simultaneously. None of his wounds were 
very dangerous, and he continued to discharge his duty faithfully until the 
close of the conflict, though suffering considerably from fever and ague. 
One quite exciting experience in which he and his comrades indulged was a 
hunt of wild hogs on Bull's Island, near Charleston.

Mr. HOWLAND was married 01 Jan 1857 to Lydia GEORGE, daughter of John and 
Mary GEORGE, of Laurens [Otsego County], NY. Mr. GEORGE was a silk weaver, 
who came to the U. S. from England in 1830. Two sons were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. HOWLAND: (1) Franklin Eugene, a well-known architect and business man 
of Reedsburg, born 13 Sep 1857; and (2) Burton Chauncey, born 25 Oct 1859, 
and died 21 Apr 1897, at Rat Portage, Ontario, in which province he had been 
engaged in prospecting for gold. Mr. HOWLAND is not connected [p 442] with 
any civil organization except the G. A. R. He has been a Republican since 
casting his first presidential ballot for Fremont in 1856.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly