Benjamin Franklin Howell

Benjamin Franklin Howell (January 27, 1844 – February 1, 1933) was an American banker and Civil War veteran who served eight terms as a Republican Party politician, representing in the United States House of Representatives from 1895 to 1911.

Early life and education Born in Cedarville, New Jersey, Howell attended the common schools, and graduated from Fort Edward Institute, New York.

Civil War He enlisted in the Twelfth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, in 1862 and served until the close of the war.

Early career He engaged in mercantile pursuits in South Amboy, New Jersey, 1865 and was named to the Township Committee, and served as Surrogate of Middlesex County from 1882 to 1892.

Congress Howell was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-fourth and to the seven succeeding Congresses, serving in office from March 4, 1895 to March 3, 1911. He served as chairman of the Committee on Immigration and Naturalization (Fifty-eighth through Sixty-first Congresses). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1910 to the Sixty-second Congress.

He served as a delegate to the 1896 Republican National Convention. He served as a member of the United States Immigration Commission 1907–1910.

Death He died at the age of 89 at his home in New Brunswick, New Jersey, February 1, 1933, and was interred in Christ Cemetery, South Amboy, New Jersey.