Howell Rees

Howell was born in Wales. He lived on the farm Gelli-lwcca Fach in Llanguick, Glamorgan near the little village of Rhydyfro.

He emigrated to America on the "Montana" arriving in 1878 and went first to Montana where he married Margaret E Jones and then moved to Iowa and Nebraska.  

In 1910 Howell took a trip to Wales from May 14 - September 2. (See diary.)

He brought home David "Samuel" Rees who was six years old and an orphan of Isaac and Sarah Rees (Howell's brother and sister-in-law.) Samuel grew up in Nebraska, rearer by his Uncle William Rees and his wife, Elizabeth (Lizzy.)

On this trip Howell also purchased the headstone for Isaac and Sarah Jane Rees for 20 pounds who are buried in Rhydyfro in the old Saron Chapel. Written on their stone "There Is No More Than a Step Between Us and Death."

(His good friend Daniel James emigrated to Australia. He kept in touch with Howell in America, and then with Howell's daughter, Mary Roberts during the 1920's, 30's, and 40's. Daniel's great granddaughter is Margaret of mmayjones@msn.com.au She has done extensive geneology work for both families.)

Howell and his wife, Margaret, are buried in the Bethany Welsh Presbyterian Cemetery in Wayne County, Nebraska.

The 1900 Census shows Howell and Maggie farming in Sherman, Wayne, NE. They had 5 kids at home with them as well as his younger brother, Isaac. He states in the record that he immigrated in the US in 1879 and that they have been married since 1885. They must have settled in Iowa first, as the first two kids, David and William were born there and must have come to Nebraska sometime between 1891-1893.