Background
Howell was born October 16, 1829 in Bradford, Wiltshire, England.
Howell was born October 16, 1829 in Bradford, Wiltshire, England.
Howell moved to Brooklyn in 1845. He first tried a career as a grocer, but before long switched careers to became a foreman in an iron foundry. By 1855, he had started the firm of
were in business in Brooklyn, New York from approximately 1866 until the early 1890s.
The proprietors were James Howell (1829-1897) and Daniel Y. Saxtan (1824-1904).
Their mark can be found on manhole covers and cast iron buildings in Brooklyn, especially around Fulton Avenue and Grand Street, and lower Manhattan. The address on the foundry mark is 353 Adams Street, Brooklyn.
James Howell was elected mayor of Brooklyn for two terms. He was a Democrat in a highly Democratic-leaning town.
Democrats had a majority of about 8 to 10 thousand voters by population.
Graft and corruption were widespread practices of the day. Although Howell was not personally involved in any scandal, he was widely considered a "mediocre" mayor. The tax rate in Brooklyn fell during Howell"s two terms, from $3.17 to $2.36, this despite rapid growth in Brooklyn, including the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge during those years.
Brooklyn had seen a huge increase in population leading up to, and during, this time.
Howell lost his third term contest to Republican Seth Low, 45,434 votes to 40,937, a margin of less than 5,000 votes. Newspapers attributed the loss to a general upswing in the good government movement and a dissatisfaction with McLaughlin machine, not aimed at Howell personally.
Howell became a trustee of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883, and in 1885 elected president of the trustees, an office which he held until his death. He was credited for "carrying out many great improvements" on the bridge.
Brooklyn politics at this time were dominated by Democratic party boss Hugh McLaughlin. An estimated 15,000 Democratic voters crossed party lines to vote for Low.