Henry (Harry) Spencer Howell was born in Galt in 1857 a son of textile manufacturer Daniel Howell. The senior Mr. Howell was a partner with William Robinson and with him owned the Galt Woollen Mill and later the Preston Woollen Mill in association with George Pattinson. Daniel Howell died in 1889 leaving a considerable estate to be divided among the members of his family. At the time of his father's death, Harry Howell was an insurance agent but soon turned his attentions to world travel and literary pursuits. He travelled around the world twice and it was not long before "Stonyhurst", his family home, was filled with exotic items from every corner of the globe. Upon his return he wrote a book called "Island Paradise and Reminiscences of Travel". The book recounted his journey across the United States to San Francisco and from there to Hawaii, which receives considerable attention, and on to India, the Malabar Coast, Malta, Gibraltar, Belgium, Scotland, the island of Tristan d'Acunha and Australia. The book was first published in 1892 with a second edition, published under the title "Reminiscences of Travel", appearing in 1911. Mr. Howell was also the author of many brochures, pamphlets and newspaper stories and was described by his contemporaries as one of Galt's "most well-known and most popular citizens". He was a member of the Canadian Institute of Toronto and was elected, in 1899, as a Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute in London, England. He was the vice-president and Secretary of the Young Conservative Club of Galt, was the first Commodore of the Galt Canoe Club and was an Honourary Captain and Paymaster of the 29th Waterloo Battalion. He also received the nomination of the Conservative Party to seek election to the Provincial Legislature in 1897 but declined the honour. Mr. Howell died suddenly on August 6, 1912 when the old Enfield rifle that he was cleaning discharged • accidentally. The bullet passed through his heart and he died instantly. He is buried in Trinity Anglican Cemetery.

Cambridge Mosaic, Jim Quantrell, City of Cambridge Archives, 1998

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H.S. Howell

This gentleman was born in Galt in 1857. He has travelled extensively making a tour around the world in 1880. Mr. Howell is an author of considerable note, having written "An Island Paradise and Reminiscences of Travel" a wonderfully interesting book. He has been honoured by being made an honorary member of the Yorick Club, of Melbourne, Australia; also a member of the Canadian Institute, Toronto, and Canadian Club, of Hamilton. He has the honor of being the first to agitate for a national Canadian flag.

Jubilee Souvenir of Galt, 1897

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H.S. Howell, Insurance, North Water Street - It is an indisputable fact that insurance is one of the kedge anchors of commercial stability. Without it there would be less security in doing all, for the merchant who places all his capital is like the shipper who would place all his capital in stock on a vessel, and then leave her to the mercy of the wind and waves, without being insured to secure him against loss. The main point with many is to find a good and reliable company. Among those who are engaged in insurance business in Galt is Mr. H.S. Howell, whose office is located on North Water Street, where he has been transacting business for the past 4 years. This gentleman represents some of the oldest and safest companies at present in existence, and he will be pleased to give all information respecting insurances, through the following names, which are as "familiar in our mouths as household words," should be sufficient guarantee of their stability and honorable method of doing business: North British and Mercantile; Phoenix, of England; City of London; Aetna, of Hartford; and the Travellers, of Hartford. Mr. Howell does business principally in Galt and South Dumfries, and reports insurance matters good, but does not care to do much in running risks. He is a native of Canada, and an active, enterprising and intelligent gentleman of good business qualities.

Industries of Canada, historical and commercial sketches, Hamilton and environs: its prominent places and people: representative merchants and manufacturers: its improvements, progress and enterprise (1886)

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HOWELL, Henry Spencer, litterateur, is the only son of Danl. Howell, by his wife, Sarah Spencer. B. at Galt, Ont., July 5, 1857, he was ed. at the Coll. Inst. there and at Rockwood Acad., since when he has devoted his time principally to literary work and travel. He has twice made the circle of the globe, visiting on the way the Antipodean colonies, New Zealand, Samoa, Hawaiian Islands, India, Ceylon, the Mediterranean ports and famous European cities. In addition to various mag. articles and brochures, including among the latter " The Keys of the Bastille of Paris " (1887), " The Women of Canada " (1895), and " The British Union Jack " (1897), he is the author of a book of travels: " An Island Paradise and Reminiscences of Travel " (1892), which net with a favourable reception from the press. Mr. H. is a mem. of the Can. Inst., Toronto, and of the Can. Club, Hamilton. He is also Secy. of the South Waterloo Lib. -Con. Assn. ; and Presdt. of the Young Men's Lib.Con. Assn. of Galt, and received the Con. nomination as a candidate for the representation of South Waterloo in the Ho. of Commons, Jan., 1885, and in the Legislature, 1897, but declined. He is the possessor of a most interesting collection of historical curios. A mem. of the Ch. of Eng., he m. 1883, Frances Annie, dau. of the late Chas. nod. Queenscliff. Australia.- "Stonyhurst," Galt, Ont.

"an acute observer, and an intelligent critic of men, countries and institution." - Gazette

The Canadian Men and Women of the Time: A Hand-Book of Canadian Biography, Henry James Morgan, 1898