The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-05-12
Native OF Martins Ferry.

He was born at Martins Ferry Ohio
March /, 1887 the son of William Cooper
and Mary Dean Howells. When he was
still a small child his parents moved
to Hamilton. and 1t was there That nc
grew up. The life at Hamilton he has
book he gives also the story OF his
school days and the fuller education
which came to him through his love OF
reading. His father was country eoi-
tor. and the future writer served hi
apprenticeship as printers devil. com
positor and reporter. on his father
newspaper at st. Clairsrille and other
Ohio towns.
Beginning his first book. Poems o.
Two Friends" just before the civil
War. Mr. Howells has completed ano
published II volumes at the time OF
his death. besides acting as editor OF
various publications. crossing the occat,
IS times in search Of material for his
novels. and writing essays. criticisms
and magazine articles.
At the age Of "a he was appointed by
President Lincoln as United States con-
sui at Venice. He combined his con,
sular duties with literary work. ana
produced his celebrated book, "Vcnitian
Life"
On his return to America he became
an editorial writer and subsequently as
sistant editor OF the New 'fork Ma
tion."
From 1872 to 1881 he was editor ?f
homo in Cambridge. In Literary
Friends and Acquaintance" he tells of
the brilliant circle Of which he formed
an important link.
Later on he was editor OF the Cos
mopolitan" md editor of Tho Editors
and from 1901 editor of The EASY
Chair" in "Harper's Magazine. which
position he filled up until his deaM
He began his long literary career witt,
poems, which he contributed to the AT
iantic Monthly" Then followed the long
line of poems. novels and farces.
Mr.. Howells received many honor
arv degrees. Harvard and Yale haze
both conferred on him the degree o,
Master Of Arts. while he received
the degree of Dostor Of Letters from
Yale. oxford. Columbia and Princeton
and the degree of Doctor of Laws iron,
Adelbert college. In 1909 he was elected
president OF the American Academy OF
Arts and Letters. Since 1885 the novels:
had livGd in New York city.
Howe1ls was a great reallst and per-
feet artist in words He was once
asked II nc never lost himself In his
work and was carried away by "ha'
he was writing.
Never" nc answered. The essence
Of achievement Is to keep outside. TO be
entirely dsnassionate, as a sculptor
must be. moulding his. clay.
~ dinner given IN New YORK IN FL
TO do honor to william Dean Howells:
uron his 18th birthday. William Ho ward
Taft. then president OF the United states
lauded the guest as "rhc greatest living
American writer and novelist"
He was the dean of American letters.
poet, cssayist. dramatist and writer, as
we'll as q weaver Of fiction.
1n Wheeling In 1896
Mr.. HowelTs last visit to wheeling
was in the spring Of 1896. He had come
to pittsburgh for the express purpose or
making a steamboat trip down the river
TO Cincinnati. Louisville and ST. Louis
The trip WAS widely heralded. and the
author received marks OF attention from
prominent men at manv points along the
river when the Virginia reached
Wheeling early one May morning. q
number Of wheelingItes called on tho
great novelist. and william Terry. thcn
- reporter on Tho 1ntc>ligenccr. was A.
corded an extended interview. IN the