Howells, William Dean, 1837-1920, American novelist, critic, and editor, b. Martins Ferry, Ohio. Both in his own novels and in his critical writing, Howells was a champion of realism in American literature. His education was gained by voracious reading as he worked for his father, a printer in various small towns in Ohio. Howells early turned to writing and to editorial work on the Ohio State Journal (1856-61). He wrote a campaign biography of Lincoln in 1860 and was given an appointment as consul in Venice in 1861. The first of his many travel books, Venetian Life (1866) and Italian Journey (1867), brought popular success and recognition. After his return to the United States in 1865, he worked for various periodicals. Settling in Boston, he was associated with The Atlantic for 15 years and later wrote the "Editor's Study" (1886-91) and the "Easy Chair" (1900-1920) for Harper's Magazine.

His first novels, Their Wedding Journey (1872), The Lady of the Aroostook (1879), and others, were moralistic comedies of manners that aroused only mild interest. However, when he turned to realism with A Modern Instance (1882) and The Rise of Silas Lapham (1885), he became a leading novelist. In these two books, which are regarded as his major achievements, Howells portrayed with minute detail characters attempting to solve lifelike problems, often arising from social distinctions. His unromantic love story, Indian Summer (1886), was also highly popular. Howells' critical essays on the works of such realistic European writers as Tolstoy, Zola, and Ibsen helped to mold American taste, and he was a literary mentor to Mark Twain, Hamlin Garland, Thorstein Veblen, and Stephen Crane.

From the late 1880s on Howells spent much of his time New York City. During these years he became more and more concerned with social conflict and the problems of industrialization. Socialist thought is apparent in his novels A Hazard of New Fortunes (1890), The Quality of Mercy (1892), and An Imperative Duty (1893), and even more forthright in his utopian works, A Traveler from Altruria (1894) and Through the Eye of the Needle (1907). He was an amazingly prolific author; besides his many novels he wrote plays ranging from blank verse tragedy to farce; critical works; several volumes of reminiscence; and short stories. The most notable of his critical volumes is Criticism and Fiction (1891). His books of reminiscences include A Boy's Town (1890), My Year in a Log Cabin (1893), Impressions and Experiences (1896), Literary Friends and Acquaintances (1900), My Mark Twain (1910), and Years of My Youth (1916).

(born March 1, 1837, Martins Ferry, Ohio, U.S.—died May 11, 1920, New York, N.Y.) U.S. novelist and critic. He wrote a campaign biography of Abraham Lincoln (1860) and served as consul in Venice during Lincoln's administration. As editor of the Atlantic Monthly (1871–81), he became a preeminent figure in late 19th-century American letters. A champion of literary realism, he was one of the first to recognize the genius of Mark Twain and Henry James. His own novels (from 1872) depict America as it changed from a simple, egalitarian society where luck and pluck were rewarded to one in which social and economic gulfs were becoming unbridgeable. His best-known work, The Rise of Silas Lapham (1885), is about a self-made man's efforts to fit into Boston society. Howells risked his livelihood with his plea for clemency for the anarchists involved in the Haymarket Riot, and his deepening disillusionment with American society is reflected in the late novels Annie Kilburn (1888) and A Hazard of New Fortunes (1890).

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(born March 1, 1837, Martins Ferry, Ohio, U.S.—died May 11, 1920, New York, N.Y.) U.S. novelist and critic. He wrote a campaign biography of Abraham Lincoln (1860) and served as consul in Venice during Lincoln's administration. As editor of the Atlantic Monthly (1871–81), he became a preeminent figure in late 19th-century American letters. A champion of literary realism, he was one of the first to recognize the genius of Mark Twain and Henry James. His own novels (from 1872) depict America as it changed from a simple, egalitarian society where luck and pluck were rewarded to one in which social and economic gulfs were becoming unbridgeable. His best-known work, The Rise of Silas Lapham (1885), is about a self-made man's efforts to fit into Boston society. Howells risked his livelihood with his plea for clemency for the anarchists involved in the Haymarket Riot, and his deepening disillusionment with American society is reflected in the late novels Annie Kilburn (1888) and A Hazard of New Fortunes (1890).

Learn more about Howells, William Dean with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Howells is a village in Colfax County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 632 at the 2000 census.

History

In 1887, officials of the Fremont Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad designated the name "Howell" to the community. This name honored James Smith Howell, who was a local surveyor, farmer and teacher. The final "s" was added in 1937.

Geography

Howells is located at (41.724237, -97.004976).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.5 km²), all of it land.

Howells is located in northern Colfax County in east-central Nebraska, three miles east of the junction of highways 15 and 91. Howells lies 40 miles southeast of Norfolk, Nebraska, 40 miles northeast of Columbus, Nebraska, 40 miles northwest of Fremont, Nebraska, 80 miles northwest of Omaha, Nebraska and 85 miles north of [[Lincoln, Nebraska.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 632 people, 281 households, and 182 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,126.8 people per square mile (435.7/km²). There were 307 housing units at an average density of 547.3/sq mi (211.7/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.78% White, 0.16% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.79% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population.

There were 281 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the village the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 27.1% who were 6 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $25,417 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,433. About 1.6% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Economic activities in the area include farming, cattle and hog feeding, and wholesale and retail sales. Economic progress in Howells from 1980-1990 includes the construction of a library, a medical center, apartments, and an addition to the Howells bank.

Churches

St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church 320 S 2 Street, mail to 614 Center St Howells, NE 68641 Phone: (402) 986-1653

St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church 112 N 6 Street , mail to 614 Center St Howells, NE 68641 Phone: (402) 986-1653

St. John's Church Hall (Located in basement of School) 312 S 2 Street, mail to 614 Center St Howells, NE 68641 Phone: (402) 986-1728

SS Peter & Paul Church Hall (Church Basement) 112 N 6 Street, mail to 614 Center St Howells, NE 68641 Phone: (402) 986-1384

Trinity Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) 505 Ann Street, PO Box 436 Howells, NE 68641 Phone: (402) 986-1254

Howells Ballroom

The Howells ballroom was recognized nationally in the early 1900's as one of the best dance halls. The current steel structure was erected in 1964 with a 50 x 100 ft. dance floor and booth seating for up to 500 people.

The Howells Volunteer Fire Department operates the facility and added a large snack bar and two large wet bars where pop, mixed drinks and beer are sold. The use of the ballroom has been made available to the community for festivals, celebrations, and wedding receptions.

Notable inhabitants

• Brad Vering, Olympic wrestler

References

External links

• http://www.ci.howells.ne.us/