Howard, Sebra N.

HOWARD, VAN EVERA, COOK, ELLIS, DAVIS

Posted By: Volunteer Subscribers
Date: 2/17/2003 at 20:05:13

PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF CLINTON COUNTY, IOWA 1886 (CHAPMAN BROS.)
Containing full page portraits & biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county. (Also available on FHL film 1036331 Item 9)
(P. 385-386) SEBRA N. HOWARD. The subject of this personal history, who stands high in the annals of Clinton County, is a successful and prosperous farmer. His residence is situated on section 13, Deep Creek Township, and comprises 120 acres of cultivated and improved land. He came to Clinton County with his parents in 1855. Mr. Howard was born in Brantford County, Province of Ontario, Canada, March 25, 1840. His father, Charles, born in Ontario and by occupation a farmer, came of New England parentage, his father and mother both having been born in Connecticut, while his grandfather formerly came from Norwich, England, and was of English ancestry. His name was Richard Howard, and when a small boy he lived on the English Channel. At the age of seven he was pressed by the English Government into the navy and there held until he was twenty-one. On being released he returned to his home and there met his parents, whom he had not seen for many years. Later he sailed for America, but on the voyage was shipwrecked with a number of sailors. He was rescued, but lost all his property, which was in gold, and landed at New London, Conn., discouraged and penniless, and feeling the world a dreary place for the unsuccessful. This was before the Revolutionary War. While living in the New England States he was married. At that period in the history of the United States when America sought her liberty, and refused to pay unjust taxation unless she were represented among the law-makers of the land, Mr. Howard’s courage awakened and he enlisted in the navy, who, so poorly equipped, went forth backed by brave hearts and poor ammunition; who left their plows and cattle in the field, and went into the fray resolved to have liberty or death; but, though gladly done, he was obliged to resign his life in his country’s cause. Without a murmer he stood upon the field of blood and battle and poured out his all, his life, for freedom, as did so many of the brave Revolutionary heroes. He was the original founder of the Howard family in the United States, of which our subject is a member. He left several children on going to the war, and among them Charles, who was the grandfather of our subject.
Charles Howard was born in Norwich, Conn., where he was married, and afterward started by the way of Canada to Ohio. Landing in Ontario, the War of 1812 broke out, and he was held on English soil, but refused to serve the English, although his life was threatened. He afterward came to the United States and died at Lyons in 1855, his death occurring in the same year that he arrived in this country from Canada.
The father of our subject, whose name was also Charles, was born and reared in Ontario, his birth occurring in 1813, the same year his parents landed in that Province. He married Melissa Van Evera, a native of the same Province and of Pennsylvania parentage and German extraction. Her father was in the War of 1812, on the English side, and also fought in that never-to-be forgotten struggle at Lundy’s Lane.
The parents of our subject came to this country with their family in 1855, locating at Lyons. Later they went to Winona County, Minn., and there the mother died in 1872. Selling out, the father went to Rice County, Kan., where he died in 1883, at the age of seventy years.
Our subject was the third in order of birth in a family of eight children -- three daughters and five sons. His early life was spent at home where he labored as a farmer. He was married in De Witt, Iowa, Nov. 29, 1865, his bride being Harriet M. Cook, daughter of B. T. and Matilda (Ellis) Cook, farmers and early settlers here, who were born in New York, and after marriage in their native State went to Lake County, Ill., and in 1856 came to Deep Creek Township, Iowa, where the mother died in 1885. The father is yet living on the old homestead, being somewhat advanced in years.
Mr. Howard of this writing settled with his bride on his present farm, which has since been their home and to which they have added many improvements. They have reared but one child -- Albert, who was born June 30, 1870. Mrs. Howard was the widow of Geo. W. Davis, a Sergeant in the late war, who died from a disease contracted while in the army. She had no children by her first marriage.
Mr. Howard enlisted in the War of the Rebellion June 6, 1861, joining Co. I, 2d Iowa Vol. Inf., serving under Grant most of the time. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson and Corinth, and in skirmishes in the campaign through Northwest Alabama and Mississippi. He was honorably discharged as Orderly Sergeant at Pulaski, Tenn.
Mr. and Mrs. H. are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he having once been a circuit preacher for seven years. He did much good in his field of labor and never grew tired of preaching the merits of the crucified Savior. He doubtless would have made it a life labor, but owing to the ill-health of his wife he returned to farming again and has continued at it ever since. In politics he is a Republican and is a man who does much good in a public way. He is considered a first-class citizen and an honorable, upright man.