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         HARRIS HOWEY, M. D., a pioneer physician, of Louisa County, was born in Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y., May 3, 1817, received a liberal education, and was graduated from Geneva Medical College in the class of ’37. He went to Illinois in 1839 and began the practice of medicine at New Boston, Mercer County, but finding that his business lay principally west of the Mississippi River, he moved to Wapello in the spring of 1841, and soon built up an extensive practice. On the 17th of August, 1863, he was commissioned surgeon of the 20th Iowa Infantry, and was in active service with his regiment until March, 1865, when he was forced to resign on account of physical disabilities. On his return from the war he was incapacitated for pursuing the practice of his profession by continued poor health. In 1870 he engaged in farming in Marshall Township and continued to reside there until 1879, when he returned to Wapello and engaged in the drug business, which he has carried on continuously since. He was appointed examining surgeon for pension applicants in 1865, and held that position for several years. In 1873 he was appointed United States Gauger, and served in that capacity until 1874.

Dr. Howey was united in marriage, March 20, 1844, with Miss Sarah J. Marshall, daughter of Joshua Marshall, one of the early and prominent pioneers of Louisa County. Mrs. Howey was born in Wellsburg, Va., and came to this county with her parents in 1840. She died in November, 1881, leaving four children, three sons and a daughter: Virginia is the wife of Edward D. Ingersoll, of Yellow Springs Township, Des Moines Co., Iowa; Thomas M. married Miss Virginia Cody, and is engaged in music merchandise at Wapello; Frank married Miss Rosa Crawford, and is associated with the wholesale drug house of R. W. Crawford & Co., of Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Charles, the youngest member of the family, is an engineer on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad.

Dr. Howey was a Whig in political sentiment in early life, and joined the Republican party at its organization. He attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, is a member of Wapello Lodge No. 5, A. F & A. M., was one of the first members of Louisa Lodge No. 19, I. O. O. F., and is a member of A. M. Taylor Post No. 153, G. A. R., of Wapello. Dr. Howey has passed nearly a half-century as a resident of Louisa County, and is widely and favorably known to a large circle of acquaintances. In the pioneer days of this region he had a most extensive practice, his professional rides carrying him far and near, when during the earlier years of his residence here roads and bridges were almost an unknown quantity. He has never resumed practice since his army experience, but has fully recovered his health, and devotes his attention to the management of his drug-store.