The following is a list of the inhabitants of the corporation and village; their occupation, and the year they settled in the town or village. Men, who were under 21 years of age when they came to Howell, but who are now over 21, are included, and also, those who were born in Howell, the year of their birth is given:
(P.58)

     Remarks in Relation to the Inhabitants of the Town and Village

    The inhabitants have labored under many disadvantages, especially the agricultural part of the community, particularly in their remoteness from market. Ox teams were used by most of the farmers for several years after the commencement of settling of the town.

     At the early settlement of the place, the nearest wheat market was at Hamburg, Livingston county. In 1840, wheat sold at that place for 43¾ cents per bushel. At the same time merchandise, groceries and clothing were selling at exorbitant prices, at (P.62) Howell. In 1844, wheat sold at about 60 cents; corn 25 cents; oats, 15 cents per bushel, and pork was worth $1 75 a hundred, at Howell. One reason of the high price of goods and groceries, was on account of the cost of transportation from Detroit, and the low price of farm produce was partially occasioned by the expense of transportation to market. The price of freightage from Detroit varied from $125 to $3 00 per hundred. The prices were varied according to the conditions of the road. The present price of transportation is 50 cents per hundred.

     The price of wheat in the spring of 1867, was $3 30; corn, $1; oats, 60 cents per bushel, and pork $10 a hundred. But these excessive prices of provisions, were partially occasioned by a light crop of wheat and corn in 1866, and a scarcity of provisions in the United States. And also, the great
amount of currency that was necessarily put in circulation during the recent civil war, and the internal revenue tariff had a tendency to augment the price of property in general.

     The town, like other inland places, destitute of public thoroughfares, was tardy in settling.

     The town and village was mostly settled by emigrants from the State of New York. However, there were emigrants from England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Canada, the New England States, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio. The inhabitants were affable, generous and humane; but few of them were wealthy.

     They encountered many hardships, liable to occur to the inhabitants of new countries. They were afflicted by fevers and other diseases, which is the case in all new countries, especially in wheat growing (P.63) countries, or where lime exists in the soil. But through their perseverance and industry, most of them have attained to affluence.

Contemplation

     When we reflect upon the condition and the events that occurred at the settlement of the township, its appearance and scenery is vividly presented to our minds ideal. The forest, the bear, the deer, the elk, and the terrific yell of the wolf, is distinctly recollected. The location of the Indian wigwam is distinctive. The Indian with his rifle in pursuit of deer, and his friendly meeting of the white man is also remembered. His harsh and gutteral intonation "buzshoo," greets the ear.

      The scene changes, immigrants are arriving, the woods are disappearing before the strong arm of the pioneer; fields of grain are growing in its stead; fruit trees are planted; school-houses, churches, and other public buildings are erected. Log houses and hovels are giving place to brick and frame structures; the village is incorporated. Side-walks are built, the promenades are decorated with ornamental treets; the streets are partially paved; the village is well regulated through its incorporate authority. Farmers, mechanics, merchants and professional men are prosperous.