Howell, Chester M., 1883-1965.

Saginaw and Chesaning, Michigan newspaperman; member of the Michigan Legislature; founder of the Chesaning Showboat, an important Michigan tourist attraction.

Chester M. Howell (1883-1965) was born in Muskegon, Michigan. During his lifetime Howell was extremely active in both business and politics in Michigan. A Republican, he served in the Michigan state legislature from 1923 to 1927, and in the Michigan Senate from 1927 to 1933, and 1939 to 1945. Howell started newspaper work in Muskegon as a free- lance correspondent for various newspapers, then worked for The Detroit News . In 1909 he moved to Saginaw and began working for the Saginaw News as a working newspaper man and correspondent. From 1926 to 1960 Howell was editor and owner of the Chesaning Argus newspaper. In 1960 his son, Tom Howell, took over for him. In 1938 Howell was the president of the Michigan Press Association.

Howell founded the Chesaning Showboat in 1941. The showboat became the town's major tourist, cultural and community attraction. Howell's role in this capacity reflected his great love of community and Michigan.

In 1910 Howell married Clara Emma Bricker of Saginaw, Michigan. They had four children: Catherine Belle, Sally Ann, John Welsh, and Thomas Wesley.