Howell, Hector Mansfield

  • DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY ARTICLE: Richard A. Willie, “HOWELL, HECTOR MANSFIELD,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 14, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–. See full biography at: https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/howell_hector_mansfield_14E.html
  • DCB profile notes:
    • Lawyer and judge; b. 17 Sept. 1842 in Thurlow Township, Upper Canada, son of Charles Howell and Harriet Ann Pake; m. 14 July 1875 Harriett Susanah Lally (d. 1908) in Barrie, Ont., and they had one son and four daughters; d. 7 April 1918 in Winnipeg
    • Growing up in the Bay of Quinte region, Hector Mansfield Howell was surrounded by reminders of his family’s United Empire Loyalist heritage. He attended public schools in Prince Edward County before enrolling in 1860 at Belleville Seminary. He apparently taught school briefly until he could pursue the career he desired. Howell was articled in Belleville to John Bell and continued afterwards in Toronto, where attendance at Osgoode Hall was possible. Following his call to the bar in 1871 at age 29, he joined the branch office in Barrie of the law firm of D’Alton McCarthy, an influential Conservative lawyer and politician.
    • Howell was part of the first wave of Ontario lawyers who arrived in Manitoba, drawn by expectations that the development of a new region would create a large market for legal services. Howell litigated often and well in common law, equity, and criminal cases, prepared appeals with great energy, and handled a wide range of clients, soon establishing himself among the most reliable and hard-working lawyers in Winnipeg. Regarded in professional circles as knowledgeable, quick-witted, and forceful, he served many influential local and central Canadian clients. Recognizing the importance of involvement in local society, Howell was a director of the Northern Bank, president of the Winnipeg Rowing Club, a governor of the St John’s College Ladies’ School, and a member of the prestigious Manitoba Club and Holy Trinity Anglican Church.
    • Like other Conservative supporters of Sir John A. Macdonald, Howell realized soon after his arrival that the policies of the national party and the circumstances of Manitoba were not in harmony. He came to identify with western interests and the mishandling of the Manitoba school question by the federal Conservatives apparently finally encouraged him to shift his political allegiance to the Liberals.
    • In 1906 the Court of Appeal was created in order to assume the expanded workload that had been thrust upon the Court of King’s Bench. When Howell was named its chief justice, Conservatives condemned the appointment as a blatant political reward. With a reputation for spotting specious arguments, Howell was an intimidating presence for counsel, but his judgements were sound, if unspectacular.
  • Grandson of United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=4010
  • Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/239394576/hector-mansfield-howell