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Abraham Howarth, whose carefully directed business interests made him in time
the owner of a valuable ranch property of five hundred acres, which he cultivated for
a long period, is now living retired in Littleton, where he occupies an attractive home
that stands as the visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift. He
was born near Manchester, England, April 7, 1837, and has therefore passed the eighty-
first milestone on life's journey. While spending his boyhood days in the home of his
parents, David and Mary (Mills) Howarth, he attended school during halt of the day
for a short time, while his remaining time was spent in the cotton mills, where he early
began work. He was a little lad of but seven years when he started to provide for
his own support by sweeping out the alleys in the mills. After a year he became a
bobbin boy. That he was diligent and faithful is indicated in the fact that he won
promotion from time to time until at the age of eighteen he was overlooker, being the
youngest man who ever occupied that position in the mills.

The opportunities of the new world, however, attracted Mr. Howarth, and believing
that he might more readily win success on this side of the Atlantic, he came to
America in 1857, landing after a voyage of seven weeks and four days on one of the
old-time sailing vessels. He resided for a time in the east and then went to Chicago,
Illinois, and soon afterward secured work upon a farm in McLean county, that state.
He was totally unfamiliar with farm work by reason of his experience along other
lines, but his labors proved satisfactory to his employer. It was while in McLean
county that he was married in Bloomington, Illinois, on the 21st of October, 1859, to
Miss Alice Barlow, who was born near Manchester. England, and to whom he had
been engaged before coming to the United States. Her parents were Robert and Sarah
(Dutson) Barlow and the children born of this marriage are: Abe, who was born in
England and became his fathers' assistant on the Colorado farm; Sarah, the wife of
Arthur B. Mitchell, of Littleton, and the mother of a daughter, Alice Helen; and Alice,
who was born on the farm in Douglas county.

After cultivating a rented farm in McLean county, Illinois, for some time Mr.
Howarth returned to England in 1862 and spent six years there. He was not content,
however, after having resided for a considerable period in America, and on again com-
ing to the United States he secured employment in a cotton factory in St. Louis. After-
ward he became a resident of Kansas City, where he worked in a packing house, and
during the three years which he there spent he was joined by his family. He removed
from Kansas City to Denver, where he built a residence, but in 1875 took up his abode
upon a farm on section 12, township 6 south, range 69 west, in Douglas county. His 
financial resources were limited at that time. For nine years he cultivated the land
and made considerable money but did not make any special effort to save. He finally
concluded that it would be wiser to economize somewhat and purchase the place and
in three years' time he had acquired enough through his industry and economy to
enable him to buy one hundred and seventy-five acres of the land. To this he added
from time to time until he was in possession of an excellent farm of five hundred
acres. He continued to cultivate his place most successfully for a long period but
eventually put aside business cares and now lives retired in Littleton, enjoying the
rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.

In his political views Mr. Howarth has always been a republican since becoming
a naturalized American citizen, but at local elections where no issue is involved he
casts an independent ballot. In 1897 he was elected county commissioner, although
this was directly opposed to his wishes, as he has never cared to hold office. However,
he has served as school director for a number of years, for the cause of education is
one in which he is deeply interested. He has never regretted his determination to
return to the new world, for here he has found pleasant surroundings and good busi-
ness opportunities and as the years have passed lie has steadily advanced in public
regard and in material prosperity. He is today one of the venerable citizens of Little-
ton, respected by all who know him.

Frederick Bews (son of Thomas Bews and Cordelia) was born Abt. 1841 in St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands, and died date unknown. He married Susan Groizard