Garland Arthur Howell's birth, 22 December, Johnston North Carolina. He was the second child born out of 13 children total. Mother Katie was age 20, father Fristus was age 42.
Mini Pedigree from Ancestry.com
Birth Index for Garland Arthur Howell's birth
from General Index to Births in Johnston County NC
"B.H." is for Boon's Hill
1916, age 1
Sister Pauline Melissa was born, 4 October, Johnston NC. She was the third child born, and is listed as Malissa, and she died in 1993.
1918, age 3
Sister Letha Blanch Howell was born in Princeton NC. She was the fourth child born, and she died in 2000. At first glance it looks as if the family moved, but when we look closer, Princeton is in Johnston County NC. The family did, however, move from Boone Hill where Garland was born to Princeton where Blanch was born.
If you like what you see, be sure to subscribe, and consider supporting me on my patreon page
733 North Herman Street, Goldsboro, Wayne NC. Living with Fristus.
Fristus and Katie Howell 1940 Census
This family starts on line 14, where they rent the home at 733 North Herman Street. Fristus is 65 years old, and Katie is 44 years old.
This census says she was born in South Carolina, but I think that is an anomaly.
This indicates that Katie engages in working at home, while Fristus is unable to work. What happened that he can no longer work? Is it his age? Is it his knees?
At the bottom is some additional information. Fristus' usual occupation is as labourer for the County Laundry
Several of their kids live with them, including 20 year old Lois. Lois works in the City Laundry. Did her father get her that job?
Interestingly, the last child, Alford is not actually a Howell child. He is, instead, the child of Lois and Joseph Vidunas. Joseph is in the Army, Lois lives with her parents and, I guess he went by the name "Alford?"
1940 Residence
Fristus and Katie Howell 1940
733 North Herman Street, Goldsboro NC
2017 Google Maps Standard
Notice some of the places the Howell's lived. Fairly close by, actually
Fristus and Katie Howell 1940
733 North Herman Street, Goldsboro NC
2017 Google Maps Satellite View
Pretty little area as of 2017. I don't think it would have looked that much differently in 1940. Different trees, smaller trees perhaps.
Fristus and Katie Howell 1940
733 (almost) North Herman Street, Goldsboro NC
2012 Google Maps Street View
I can't find the exact street view spot for this address. This is the closest I can get. Nothing to see here, move along.
About 1942, USA.
Credit: Anthony Potter Collection/Archive Photos/Getty
1941, age 46
Historical Insight -- The United States enters World War II
From coffee to panty hose to chicken wire
fencing, most common foods and supplies were rationed during World War II. Each
American family was issued a ration book that contained an allotted number of
coupons to purchase staples at stores.
1944, age 50
Residence 916 East Elm Street, Goldsboro, Wayne NC, per draft registration for William Roland Howell.
1944 WWII Draft Registration William Roland Howell, age 18
I include, for your perusal, the Draft Registration for Roland. While it isn't directly Katie, it does include her as a person who will always know where he is, and her address -- which is also his address. I wonder why he mentioned his mother, Mrs. F.H. Howell, and not his father Fristus H. Howell?
Fristus and Katie Howell 1944
916 East Elm Street, Goldsboro NC
2017 Google Maps
Fristus and Katie Howell 1944
916 East Elm Street, Goldsboro NC
2017 Google Maps Satellite View
Fristus and Katie Howell 1944
916 East Elm Street, Goldsboro NC
2012 Google Maps Street View
I think this is the house in a certain photo. My dad took a photo of his grandmother Katie in front of a house in 1950. That photo will be in the next blog as tribute to her, but I include it in this blog to examine the house itself.
Close up of same photo
Katie Howell 1950s
photo by Bill Vidunas
This is the original photo, and the next one is the detail I want to point out. If I use my imagination, I can see the porch of the house looks similar. I checked out Trulia, found out this house was built in 1900, so it could, indeed, be the same house. The current street view looks like a brick wall and I don't see that on this house. In this photograph, Dad also pointed out the new convienience store in the background. Sort of a dichotomy, the old and the new. The street view doesn't give me that same store. Does anybody know what this house address may be? If so, let me know and I will correct this blog.
1945-1953
Harry S. Truman
33rd President
1945, age 50
Historical Insight -- V-J Day
Impromptu outdoor displays of patriotism took place in cities and towns across the United States on V-J Day. August 14, 1945, UnitStates. Credit: Hulton Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
1946, age 52
Residence per draft registration for Henry Haywood Jethro Howell -- 211 East Beech Street, Goldsboro, Wayne NC. Once again, we have extracted an address for Katie Howell from another son's Draft card. Henry Haywood Howell registered when he turned 18.
Fristus and Katie Howell 1946 Residence
And, once again, we see his contact person is Mrs F.H. Howell, not Fristus Howell. So, let's look at this address.
Fristus and Katie Howell 1946 Residence 211 Beech Street, Goldsboro NC 2017 Google Maps, Standard view
Fristus and Katie Howell 1946 Residence 211 Beech Street, Goldsboro NC 2017 Google Maps, Satellite View
Fristus and Katie Howell 1946 Residence 211 Beech Street, Goldsboro NC 2017 Google Maps, Almost Street View
Fristus and Katie Howell 1946 Residence 211 Beech Street, Goldsboro NC 2012 Google Maps, Street View
Whelp, nothing to see here, move along. It's all industrial, now. NEXT!
Government-sponsored posters encouraged Americans to stay positive and reminded them that the ration system supported the boys fighting abroad. About 1942. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
1946, age 52
Historical Insight -- WWII Rationing in the United States.
1948, age 53
death of brother Clarence Arthur Watkins, 30 January 1948
Katie Watkins Howell 3-gen Pedigree
from Ancestry.com
1910 -- Historical Insight, The Adam Forepaugh and Sells Brothers Circus.
1912 -- Marriage with Fristus Haywood Howell, Johnston NC
1913 -- birth of sister Beeles Watkins, North Carolina, and daughter Arlie Virginia Howell.
1914 -- birth of brother Clarence Arthur Watkins, and son Garland Arthur Howell
1916 -- birth of sister Blanche Mozelle Watkins, and birth of daughter Pauline Melissa Howell
1917 -- Historical Insight -- America Enters World War I.
1918 -- birth of daughter Letha Blanch Howell
1919 -- Historical Insight -- Women Gain the Constitutional Right to Vote.
1910 Census
Boon Hill, Johnston, North Carolina. Boon Hill Census
1910 Census, Lower Boon Hill Precinct, Johnston County NC
from Ancestry.com
Katie's family starts on line 54. Her father is more formally listed as Henry B. Watkins, age 46, renting the farm. He can read but is not able to write. Ida is 34, has had a total of 8 children born, so far, with only 6 still living. She is able to both read and write.
Jasper works on the farm and attends school. Katie is 14 years old, also works on the farm and attends school. Lelia, age 10, is also working on the farm, as well as attends school. The other children, Marty age 8, Frank age 3, Louise age 4/12 are also listed.
A couple of points.
1 -- Henry Blake Watkins, went by the name of Blake. Sometimes the census is indexed as WADkins because the handwriting may seem like this. He couldn't write, but he could read.
2 -- it looks like two children died in the last 10 years.
3 -- It is unusual for a girl of 14 to have an occupation listed like Katie does.
1910 age 16
from Ancestry.com Historical Insight
30 March 1902. Credit: The New York Times/Newspapers.com
Historical Insight, The Adam Forepaugh and Sells Brothers Circus. "People flocked to the circus as wild and exuberant advertising announced the exciting acts that had come to town."
1912, age 18
Marriage with Fristus Haywood Howell, Johnston NC. I would love to have a photo of their wedding. I wonder how they met? Did they live close by? Did they go to the same church? Meet in the General Goods Mercantile?
Woodrow Wilson, President from Wikipedia
1913, age 18
birth of sister Beeles Watkins, North Carolina.
birth of daughter Arlie Virginia Howell. 2 October 1913, Johnston NC
both her sister Beeles and her daughter Arlie were born on this year.
Woodrow Wilson is elected President
1914, age 20
1914 It's a Boy
birth of brother Clarence Arthur Watkins. 9 July 1914, North Carlina
birth of son Garland Arthur Howell, 22 December 1914, Johnston NC
Once again, her brother and her son are born the same year. I wonder if they all visited frequently, and played together much?
1916, age 21
birth of sister Blanche Mozelle Watkins, 1 April 1916, Johnston County NC
birth of daughter Pauline Melissa Howell, 4 October 1916, Johnston County NC
Third time, sibling and child are roughly the same age.
1917, age 22
Historical Insight -- America Enters World War I.
1917.
Credit: Underwood Archives/Archive Photos/Getty Images
from Ancestry.com Historical Insight
The American entrance into the First World War was a relief to the exhausted Allies. Troops were inspected by foreign officers and trained by their British and French comrades in the trenches.
1918 advertisement
Salina Evening Journal, Salina Kansas
3 October 1918, page 8
downloaded March 2017 from Newspapers.com
1918, age 23
birth of daughter Letha Blanch Howell, 23 May 1918, Princeton, Johnston County, North Carolina.
1919, age 24
Historical Insight -- Women Gain the Constitutional Right to Vote.
September 1920
Credit: Harris & Ewing, Inc/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
from Ancestry.com Historical Insight
Alice Paul shifted from suffrage to general equal rights as she led the National Woman's Party for half a century.
Katie Watkins Howell 3-gen Pedigree
from Ancestry.com
Bissell Mills Road, New Hope, Wayne North Carolina. Starting at line 42, his name looks like Forst or First H. Howell
Forst H. Howell, Head, Renting, living on a farm, as did most everybody around them. white male age 57, married, first married at age 30. Unable to read and write, he and parents all born in NC.
Katie E. Howell, Wife, Homemaker. white female age 33, married first at age 17. did not attend school, is able to read and write. She and parents all born in NC.
Arlie V. Howell, daughter; age 16, single female, did not attend school, can read and write, born NC.
Garland A. Howell, son; age 15, single, attended school, is able to read and write, born NC.
Pauline M. Howell, daughter; age 13, single, attended school, is able to read and write, born NC.
Letha B. Howell, daughter; age 11, attended school, is able to read and write. born NC.
Annie L. Howell, daughter; age 10, attended school, is able to read and write, born NC.
Melvin T. Howell, son; age 8, attends school, born NC.
William R. Howell, son; age 4 1/12, did not attend school, born NC.
I found something weird when I used Google Maps to search for this place. This screenshot is of New Hope NC. It is in the upper left corner of this view where the location marker is. Goldsboro is in the lower right portion of this view. This is quite a ways away from what I thought was his normal stomping grounds.
New Hope NC
from Google Maps 2017
and yet, when we look closer, there is no Bissel Road, it just doesn't look right. Let's try something else.
New Hope NC closer view
from Google Maps 2017
Well, I searched for "Bissell Road" in NC and got no results. I'm lost. Did they actually live that far from Goldsboro?
Prior to 1730, Native Americans were the only known occupants of the territory now known as Wayne county. Settlers trickled into the territory, but there was no general movement of immigration until after 1750. Wayne County was established on November 2, 1779 from the western part of Dobbs County. It was named for "Mad Anthony" Wayne, a general in the American Revolutionary War. The act, establishing the County, provided the first court should be held at the home of Josiah Sasser at which time the justices were to decide on a place for all subsequent courts until a courthouse could be erected. By 1782 the commissioners were named. In 1787 an act was passed establishing Waynesborough on the west side of the Neuse River on the land of Doctor Andrew Bass where the courthouse now stands.[3] -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_County,_North_Carolina
I may have found what I need!
Map of Wayne County, North Carolina, United States with township and municipal boundaries
Take a look at the right side, two-thirds down. The area is marked as "New Hope" and it is pretty close to Goldsboro. This is also within Wayne County, and fits the parameters. Now, I will search this area on Google Maps.
This is a locator map showing Wayne County in North Carolina https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_North_Carolina_highlighting_Wayne_County.svg
This is a locator map showing Johnston County in North Carolina https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_North_Carolina_highlighting_Johnston_County.svg
YEP! I do believe I found what I was looking for.
New Hope NC Map View
from Google Maps 2017
See where Goldsboro is in the upper left. Walnut Creek is in the lower right. Above that is the area listed as New Hope. In Walnut Creek, I found a road marked as "Mills Road," but no Bissell Mills Road. Let's explore further.
I looked closer on the map, found a Mills pond, and New Hope road, but nothing I was searching for. Of course, things change, but shouldn't be too much, right? We are looking for farming land. I'll try the property search next, perhaps.
Fristus Haywood Howell's Shotgun
used in the 1930s
owned by grandson William Vidunas
1931, age 58
clip art baby-green AntiqueClipArt
Birth of daughter Ida Alline Howell, 3 February 1931, Wayne County NC
1933, age 60
Birth of daughter Eula Evelyn Howell, 2 May 1933, Wayne County NC
End of Prohibition
1934, age 61
death of daughter Arlie Virginia Howell, 1 February 1934, Goldsboro, Wayne NC
Birth of daughter Julia Elizabeth Howell, 13 July 1934, Goldsboro, Wayne NC
Death of daughter Julia Elizabeth Howell, 31 August 1934, Goldsboro, Wayne County NC
Lived in Goldsboro NC
1935, age 63
lived in Goldsboro NC
1936, age 64
Death of sister Nellie G. Howell, 6 December 1936, Goldsboro, Wayne NC
Federal alcohol prohibition was repealed in December 1933, but many Americans had been ignoring the law for years.
Credit: American Stock Archive/Archive Photos/Getty Images
from Ancestry.com
In a 1939 news column, Eleanor Roosevelt looked back at the prohibition era and concluded that “a moral change still depends on the individual and not on the passage of any law.” The idea that the state cannot legislate morality was a clear lesson from the federal government’s nearly 14-year attempt to prohibit the production and sale of alcohol. Ratification of the 18th Amendment in 1919 led to a lucrative black market for organized crime, corruption within police departments, and a general lack of respect for the law by a broad cross section of the American public. Many people celebrated on December 5, 1933, when ratification of the 21st Amendment repealed prohibition. The editors of the Milwaukee Journal wrote: “Prohibition is gone. Few will mourn its passing. It never was a real success, for it never really shut off the supply of alcoholic beverages to those who sought them.”
Media Gallery
The 21st Amendment left alcohol prohibition for the states to decide, and Mississippi remained a “dry” state until 1966. December 5, 1933, New York, New York. Credit: Imagno/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
For many Californians, the end of federal alcohol prohibition meant the return of the traditional wine festival. 1934, California. Credit: Underwood Archives/Archive Photos/Getty Images
In the post-prohibition era, taverns were promoted as places for families and mixed crowds of men and women. September 1938, Raceland, Louisiana. Credit: Russell Lee/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
With breweries and distilleries back in business, the government regained a source of tax revenue during the Great Depression. 1934, New York, New York. Credit: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
22 December 1912, Beulah, Johnston, North Carolina, to Katie Elizabeth Watkins age 18.
I didn't know there was such an age difference, at first. How did they meet?
Beulah Twp from Mapclick Johnston CO NC
1913 -- age 41
Birth of daughter Arlie Virginia Howell, 2 October 1913, Johnston, North Carolina
1914 -- age 42
Birth of son Garland Arthur Howell, 22 December 1914, Johnston, North Carolina
1916 -- age 44
Birth of daughter Pauline Melissa Howell, 4 October 1916, Johnston County NC
1917 -- age 44
America Enters World War I
1918 -- age 48
Birth of daughter Letha Blanch Howell, 23 May 1918, Princeton, Johnston County, North Carolina
Historical Insights -- America Enters World War I, from Ancestry.com
In the wake of the deadly surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered World War II on December 8, 1941.
Credit: Archive Photos/Archive Photos/Getty Images
from Ancestry.com
“Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy,” declared President Franklin D. Roosevelt before Congress, “the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” The surprise assault on Pearl Harbor, which killed 2,400 American servicemen and civilians, made Americans and their political leaders resolute. After two years of isolationism, the United States declared war on Japan and entered World War II. Fearing that the country’s entry into the global conflict was inevitable, Roosevelt had launched the first peacetime military draft in U.S. history starting in September of 1940. By the following December, the military had grown to 2.2-million servicemen. Over the next four years, the U.S. military trained 10 million additional draftees and volunteers for two distant wars against two distinct enemies: Germany and Japan. When soldiers shipped off, women were left to manage the home front with men who weren’t eligible to serve in the military. Daily life was challenging as families prepared for attacks on American soil and rationed food and common supplies to support the war effort. As factories pushed to keep up with skyrocketing demand and with male bodies in short supply, women entered the workforce in record numbers. Before the Allied victory was celebrated in 1945, nearly 420,000 Americans gave their lives.
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor shook the nation. Today it remains the second worst attack on U.S. soil—second only to September 11, 2001. December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Credit: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
To encourage men and women to volunteer for the U.S. military, the government launched a widespread propaganda campaign; posters were plastered across American cities and towns. 1942, USA. Credit: PhotoQuest/Archive Photos/Getty Images
From coffee to panty hose to chicken wire fencing, most common foods and supplies were rationed during World War II. Each American family was issued a ration book that contained an allotted number of coupons to purchase staples at stores. About 1942, USA. Credit: Anthony Potter Collection/Archive Photos/Getty Images
By the war’s end in 1945, women made up nearly 40 percent of the workforce, while 150,000 more served in the military. After the peace, they were systematically cast out of factories to make way for returning soldiers. 1942, USA. Credit: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/UIG via Getty Images
