Flora Cornelia (Hawley) Howes

Millet

1860-1935

Description

Flora Cornelia Howes, her husband Micajah and their five children left their home in Holyoke, Massachusetts in 1899, arriving in Millet by rail in April 1900.

Flora brought with her homeopathic medicine books inherited from her grandfather, a physician. In this new place she used her medical background as a midwife at births and when caring for the sick.

Flora started a club for young mothers who, with relatives far away, lacked a support network. With no telephones, cars or radios, farm life isolated them from each other. The club, therefore, allowed them to gather regularly to socialize.

Her efforts in providing medical and emotional support to others played a major parties establishing the Millet community.