Harvey Hudson Howell

Article Index
Harvey Hudson Howell
Photo
Wife: Anna Virginia Hines
Wife: Rosa Frannie Keller
Obituary
Cemetery
The History of The Howell Cabin at Lake Drummond
Photos from Lake Drummond
All Pages

Biography:

2nd. son of Roscius Bolden Howell


Harvey Hudson Howell was born in a small house built by his father, on a farm near a settlement called Myrtle in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. It is unknown if the and was owned by Roscius at the time, or if he was allowed to build the little house by the landowner, as they worked that farm for several years. Harvey and his father Roscius, worked as hired hands to support the family. As Harvey grew up and went out on his own, he worked in saw mills and logging camps. He became quite fascinated with locomotive engines and finally became a machinist. He worked at this trade for the remainder of his life, except for a short period during the 1930's when he tried his hand in the grocery business. However, his first love was always farming.

Harvey, at age 19 was first married to Anna Virginia Hines age 29, daughter of John Burton and Sarah V. Hines on January 8, 1903 by H. H. Button in Suffolk, Virginia. There were two children, both boys, Harry Hulan Howell and Roscius Claude Howell. They lived at 701 Central Ave. In Suffolk, Virginia.

After the death of Anna on April 15, 1913, Harvey, now at age 30, married Rosa Fannie Keller, age 20, on April 23, 1914. They were married by Dr. W. W. Staley in Suffolk, Virginia. Rosa was the daughter of Albert Joseph Keller and Mary Alice Babb. Harvey and Rosa brought forth three children, Margaret Keller Howell, Albert Hudson Howell and Garland Ainsworth Howell. Sometime in 1927 or 1928, Harvey must have had an employment opportunity in Norfolk, Virginia. According to Bill I at The Sargeant Memorial Collection at the Downtown Norfolk Public Library, Harvey moved the family to a two story duplex at 510 River Ave in Norfolk, Virginia. It appears that Harvey landed a job as a machinist in the Berkeley section of Norfolk. A short time later they moved to another two story duplex at 722 Olney Road in Norfolk. In February 1931, Rosa's mother Alice Keller passes away at their home. In 1933, Harvey again moved his family to 4109 Simpson Street in Norfolk. As Harvey had a love for farming, this lot had lots of room to grow some crops. Harvey grew corn, and other vegetables. On August 16, 1943 Harvey's wife Rosa passed away from breast cancer. At some point Harvey became ill and moved in with his son Harry in Suffolk, Virginia. Harvey passed away October 24, 1951. 

Harvey, Anna, Rosa and his father and mother, Roscius and Virginia, along with one son, Roscius Claude are buried on Harvey's lot in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suffolk, Virginia. Mary Alice Babb Keller (Rosa's mother) is buried on lot 9 in Cedar Hill Cemetery next to her husband Albert Joseph Keller.