(P.39)  As respects the Methodist denomination, a class of seven members was formed at Howell, in the year 1837. That same year a quarterly meeting was held in the village. Rev. John Cosort was their Pastor at that time. In the year 1855, they built a very comfortable frame church. It is situated south of Grand River street, and on the east side of Walnut street. Their present membership is about eighty.

     The Presbyterian Church was organized the 16th day of June, 1838. Rev. Henry Root was the first Pastor. The number of members at the organization was twenty-five. In 1839, they built a small (P.40) frame church. in 1855, they built a brick Church, which is located on the south side of Sibley Street. Rev. R. McBride was their Pastor at that time. Their present membership is 160.

     The Baptist Church was organized in 1837, with a membership of nine. Reorganized June 21st, of the same year. Rev. E. Mosher was their first Pastor. He was hired at a salary of $100 a year and board, and was ordained at Howell, May 9th, 1839. They built a frame Church in 1852. Their Church is situated north of Grand River street, and on the east side of Court street. Their present membership is 126.

     A Congregational Church was organized in the village of Howell, in 1849--and was legalized in 1850. Their Church at once advanced to the number of fifty-two members, but has since declined. They built a brick Church in 1853, north of Grand River street, and on the east side of Court street.

     The Howell Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, was established in 1849. The first officers of the Lodge were Amos Adams, W. M.; James Fitzgerald, S. W.; Gardner Wheeler, J. W.; William T. Curtis, Treasurer; Warren Green, Secretary; Odell J. Smith, S. D.; Ichabod Kneeland, J. D.

     The Livingston Chapter, No. 30, of Royal Arch Masons, was organized April 16th, 1863. The Chapter members were Charles W. Haze, H. P.; S. F. Hubbell, K.; M. B. Wilcox, S.; D. Farnum, C. H.; Joseph T. Titus, P. S.; H. H. Harmon, R. A. C.; W. B. Green, O. 1st V.; George Wilber, O. 2d V.; W. A. Clark, O. 3d V.

     The Eastern Star Family, connected with the Masonic Lodge of Howell, No. 38, was organized March (P.41) 6th, 1867. The following were elected officers: Worthy Patroness, Mrs. Z. F. Crossman; Warren Green, Conductor; J. Finsterwald, Conductor; Mrs. E. B. Gregory, Recorder; Mrs. W. W. Carpenter, Treasurer; Miss Emily Wheeler, Jeptha's Daughter; Mrs. M. B. Wilcox, Ruth; Mrs. S. F. Hubbell, Esther; Mrs. H. H. Harmon, Martha; Miss Eliza Richards, Electa; Mrs. J. M. Gilbert, S. F. Hardy, Watchmen.

     An Odd Fellows Lodge was organized at Howell in 1849. The first officers were Josiah Turner, N. G.; L. K. Hewett, V. G.; Lemuel Spooner, P. S.; John A. Wheeler, R. S.; James Mulloy, T.

     A Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars, was organized in Howell in 1865. The present membership is 250.

     The village of Howell was incorporated March 14, 1863. The first officers of the corporation were Sardis F. Hubbell, President; Andrew D. Waddell, Recorder; Asa Van Kleek, Treasurer; John H. Galloway, Assessor; Marcus B. Wilcox, William K. Melvin, Wm. McPherson, Jr., John Hoyt and Philo Curtis, Trustees.

     It may not be improper here to state that the Detroit and Howell R. R. Co. was formed June 17th, 1864. The first officers of the company were T. T. Lyon, of Plymouth, President; E. F. Burt, of Marion, Secretary; Wm. McPherson, of Howell, Treasurer; T. T. Lyon, Wm. Taft, Geo. A. Starkweather and S. Hardenburgh, of Plymouth, D. C. Abell, of Dearborn, J. N. Swift, of Northville, J. H. Galloway, J. H. Wilcox, of Howell, E. F. Burt, of Marion, Lyman Judson, E. F. Albright, of Brighton, Royal C. Rumsey, of Green Oak, and Ely Barnard, of Genoa, Directors; I. W. Bush, Giles Tucker, of Howell,  (P.42)  J. N. Swift, P. B. Holdridge, of Northville, and Hiram Newman, of Plymouth, Commissioners; Wm. Scott, Chief Engineer. Work began on the road in the spring of 1867.

Miscellaneous Departments

A cemetery was located at the village in the year 1840. One on Sec. 8 in 1848; one on Sec. 17 in 1850, and one on Sec. 22 in 1853. A cemetery containing 15.44 acres of land was established on the N. W. ¼ of N. E. ¼ of See. 36, for the accommodation of both township and village in 1867.

     The Livingston county court-house and jail was erected at the village in 1847, Enos B. Taylor, of Howell, contractor. The building for the offices of county clerk and register of deeds were erected in 1849, George W. Lee and Frederick J. Lee, contractors. The building for the office of county treasurer and judge of probate was erected in 1853, John B. Kneeland, contractor.

     A two-story brick school-house, thirty-six feet in length and twenty-six feet in width, was erected in the village in 1849, Elijah Coffren, of Howell, contractor. An addition of forty-eight feet in length and twenty-six feet in width was made to the schoolhouse in 1856; John B. Kneeland, contractor.