Ferdinand C. Howell
In memory
of
F. C. Howell
Born
Dec 9, 1855
Died Sept. 10, 1895
Closed are they sweet eyes
From this world of pain
But we trust in God
To meet thee again
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
Children of F. C. Howell and Minnie J. Thomas (photo approximately from 1895)
From left to right back row: Nellie R. Howell (Lee), and Kearney F. Howell.
Front row: Robert "Jim" Howell, Irene A. Howell (Citty), Josephine Howell (Hemme), and Mark Howell. The youngest child, Irene Howell-Citty, is buried next to her father in Old Bayview Cemetary.
Source: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
2. Biographical information
FERDINAND COATS HOWELL
Ferdinand Coats Howell, youngest of two sons born to Joseph Marthers Howell and Mary Rose Pacaud, was a native of New Orleans, La. While his stone marker indicates he was born December 9, 1855 and died September 10, 1895, his obituary indicates he was 41 years and 9 months old at the time of his death. This would point to a more likely birth year as 1853. Census records of 1850, 60, 70, and 80 also indicate a more likely birth in 1852 or '53.
Ferdinand first came to Corpus Christi as a child in 1857 when his family moved here when his father entered into a ranching partnership with Capt. S. W. Fullerton. The partnership ran stock on the Encinal and Tuloso ranches formerly owned by Col. H. L. Kinney. These ranches were located next to one another on lands bounded by the Corpus Christi Bay and Oso Creek (north and west of the creek) in present Flour Bluff and Encinal Farm and Gardens tracts. The family resided at least part of that time in the Centennial House on Broadway, but left Corpus Christi after Federal troops arrested Howell as a Confederate sympathizer and removed the family to New Orleans in 1864.
Probably after his father's death in March of 1876, Ferd returned to Corpus Christi where his brother Joseph and sister Azelie (Mrs. Lyman D. Brewster) resided at the time. Ferd became a cowboy on the Laureles Ranch in 1880 where he met Minnie Josephine Thomas, a daughter of ranch caporal I. H. Thomas. The two married on January 5, 1884 and had seven children prior to Ferd's death in 1895.
The death registry lists as the cause of death "spinal sclerosis" which may have resulted from his work or an accident while handling cattle. His obituary indicates that he had been in poor health a year or two and that he had been brought to Corpus Christi from the Laureles about a week prior to his passing.
Research by: Msgr. Michael A Howell
Transcribed by: Rosa G. Gonzales
3. Centennial House
A. Photograph
B. Background information
Ferdinand Coates Howell spent part of his childhood living in the house now known as Centennial House. The Howells arrived in Corpus Christi in 1857 and resided in the house, it is believed, until 1864 when the family was removed to New Orleans by Federal troops due to the alleged Confederate sympathies of Joseph Howell, Ferdinand's father.
The house has recently undergone extensive restoration and repair. Paint analysis done during the restoration revealed the house had been painted a pale green. The decision was made to return it the more authentic period color.
4. Obituary
DIED -- In this city, Tuesday, September 10, 1895, at 8 a.m., FERDINAND C. HOWELL, a native of New Orleans, aged 41 years and 9 months.
The death of Mr. Howell, while not entirely unexpected by this closest friend here, will be heard with sorrow and surprise by the large majority of his friends and acquaintances here and elsewhere. Deceased, who had been in poor health for the past year or two, was brought to this city last week from the Laureles ranch where he has held a position for the past fifteen years. Mr. Howell leaves to mourn his loss a wife and six children, the eldest nine years and the youngest two years. He leaves one sister in this city, Mrs. Stanley Welch; one brother, Joe Howell of San Francisco and two sisters living in New Orleans. To the afflicted family THE CALLER extends its heartfelt sympathy. The funeral took place from the residence on the Bluff today at 10 o’clock.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, Sept., 1895
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Rosa G. Gonzales