Came to Dixon, Ill. from Castine, Maine in 1856 to teach school and in 1859 married stove maker and store owner, George L. Howell, who had come to Dixon from Tully, New York.
Daughter of Otis and Abigail Perkins Little. Until she was married, Emma lived with her uncle Joseph Thomas Little who had started the first nursery and owned a general store in Dixon. In 1861 her brother Edward (Ned) enlisted in the Army and served until his death in 1868. George, the child of Nichol and Betsy Wilson Howell, had come to Dixon to go into business with his brother in law, Philip Maxwell Alexander. He and George built a three story hardware store and George, who had trained as "tinner" made stoves. George was a widower with two sons, Clarence and Frank, when he married Emma and together they had Edward, Agnes, George and Louisa. Their grandchild, Beatrice Howell Lanphier authored The Alexander and Howell Families, published in 1964.
From the description of Papers, 1779-1928 [1858-1918]. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 45751138
