| Howell W. Runnels, Sr. | |
| State House: | Texas |
| District: | 1st |
| Termstart1: | November 21, 1855 |
| Termend1: | November 7, 1859 |
| Predecessor1: | Hardin Richard Runnels |
| Successor1: | Solomon H. Pirkey |
| Birth Date: | March 31, 1823 |
| Birth Place: | Lawrence County, Mississippi, US |
| Death Place: | Texarkana, Bowie County, Texas, US |
| Parents: | Hardin D. Runnels Martha B. Darden |
| Spouse: | Martha Caroline Adams |
| Children: | 5 |
Howell Washington Runnels, Sr. (1823-1895) was a Texan politician who served as the 6th and 7th representative for Texas House of Representatives, District 1.[1]
Runnels was born on March 31, 1823. In 1842, his family immigrated to Texas, including Howell's 3 brothers, Hardin, Edmond, and Hiram. They all assumed leading positions in the Texas state government. Runnels eventually married someone Martha Caroline Adams on October 1, 1859, in Harrison, Texas.
In the 1870 census, Runnels was listed as a store clerk in Boston, Texas. He was also listed with his wife and 5 children. Sometime in 1876, Runnels moved to Texarkana, Bowie County, Texas, where he lived for the remainder of his life. He was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, in Texarkana, Texas.
He served as the representative for District 1 of the Texas House of Representatives from November 21, 1855 - November 7, 1859.