Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1885 — W. D. Howells. [ARTICLE]

W. D. Howells.

Another Boston author now widely known is William Dean Howells. Though claimed by Boston to-day, he in reality is a gift to the world of Ohio. Born in that State and. educated there, he began life as a printer in his father’s newspaper office, and set type at the case. Later he was United States Consul at Venice, and at present makes his home in this city, having lately moved into town from a cottage that he built a few years ago at Belmont. His residence is on the Back Bay, and is only a few doors from the Holmes House, on the water side of Beacon street, and his library windows command exactly the same view of Charles River and Cambridge that those of his poet neighbor do. The general appearance of Mr. Howells is described as follows: The face is round and full, clean shaven, except for a heavy mustache. Though fully as old as Aldrich, Howells has an exceedingly youthful appearance. A pleasant talker, putting himself at once in sympathy with whomever he converses, Mr. is both entertaining and jMPght, and has none of the peculiar eccentricities that were once supposed to be indulged in by every author of fiction or poet of renown. Short in stature, being hardly of the average height, inclined to stoutness, yet being far from noticeably so; his hair is dark, straight and closely cut, and his eyes, black at evening, but blue-gray during the day, are large and expressive, and express the varied thoughts that lurk in the hidden recesses of the busy brain. Meet Howells on the street, as one is apt to do any pleasant afternoon, apd you would consider him a successful young banker, for in dress the popular young novelist is fastidious, without being in the least foppish, and the face is that of a contented, well-to-do man of business.— Boston Cor.