Howard, Andrew H.

HOWARD, ROOD, CARL, TOWNSEND, GALUSHA, SAUN, GRACE, MILLER, FISK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/31/2009 at 10:35:50

Howard, Andrew H.

To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and respected, even from childhood, deserves more than mere mention. It is no easy task to resist the many temptations of youth and early manhood and plant a character in the minds and hearts of associates that will remain an unstained figure for all time. One may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke of public policy, and ever remain in the hearts of friends and neighbors, but to assume a position of honor in the community by dint of the practice of an upright life and without a craving for exaltation merely for selfish ends, whose chief desires seem to be to serve others and lead a life of usefulness and honor, is worthy of the highest praise and commendation. Such a man is Andrew H. Howard, of Newton, Jasper County, who, after a long and active career, is living in retirement.

Mr. Howard was born in Herkimer County, New York, July 24, 1843, the son of Chauncey and Ann (Rood) Howard, both natives of New York. The father was a machinist and he spent his early life in the East, coming to Iowa in 1856, locating in Jasper County in March of that year, first at Monroe, where he lived until the fall of 1863, then moved to Newton, having been elected sheriff of Jasper County, and he took office January 1, 1864. He was also deputy United States Marshal at that time. After the war he was appointed deputy revenue assessor, and four years later the office of assessor was abolished and he was made revenue collector for this district, which he held for a period of eighteen years. He declined the nomination for sheriff in 1863, claiming that the office should be given to a soldier, which was then done. Mr. Howard made Newton his home until his death, on July 16, 1882. He was one of the organizers, supporters and active workers of the Universalist Church here. He was twice elected mayor of Newton and also justice of the peace. Politically, he was a Republican; he was an influential and highly respected man, taking an active part in the early development of the locality. His wife survived until February 28, 1904. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are living, namely: May has remained single; Mrs. Alice Carl, of Newton; and Andrew H., of this review.

The subject was thirteen years of age when his parents came to Jasper County; he received a meager schooling in the rural schools of the early days here, and on his eighteenth birthday he proved his patriotism and courage by enlisting, on July 24, 1862, in Company F, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, in which he served with distinction for three years and one month, or until the close of the war. He participated in the Red River campaign, and was in the Western Army, his regiment having been rendezvoused at Clinton, Iowa, and mustered into service August 6, 1862, leaving Clinton by boat on the 11th of that month, landing at St. Louis on the 13th. They went into camp at Benton Barracks where they were drilled until August 27th, when they were sent to Sedalia, Missouri, thence across the country to Springfield, where they arrived on September 13th, and on the i8th were assigned to the First Brigade, of the Second Division of the Army of the Frontier, under command of General Schofield, with "little" Phil Sheridan as quartermaster of the army. The regiment took part in the battle of Newtonia, Missouri, on September 27th, and Fayetteville, Arkansas, on October 27th. From there they came back to Missouri, making a march of over seven hundred miles in seventy-five days, and they went into camp at Springfield for the winter. On January 8, 1863, the Confederate General Marmaduke attacked Springfield, which was defended by the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, and the fight lasted from ten o'clock in the morning until eight at night, the Iowa troops suffering heavily. On October 17, 1863, the regiment left Springfield in pursuit of the Confederates under General Joe Shelby, with whom they had numerous skirmishes, finally driving him across to Arkansas, and the regiment went into winter quarters at Fort Smith, remaining there until March 22, 1864, when, with three divisions of the Seventh Army Corps, it marched to Camden, that state, all under command of General Thayer. During this raid the regiment took part in the battle of Prairie d'Ann on April 12th, Macon the following day, Poison Springs on April 18th, Jenkins Ferry at Saline River, April 30th. In the Battle of Poison Springs the regiment lost eighty-one killed, wounded and missing. Mr. Howard was mustered out on August 5, 1867, at Davenport, Iowa. The regiment of which he was a member marched in all four thousand one hundred and sixty miles. There were only four hundred men and eight officers who remained with the regiment at the date of mustering out, the total loss by death and discharge having been five hundred and fifteen. Mr. Howard has been twice president of the Regiment Association of the Eighteenth Iowa.

After the war he returned to Newton and worked at the carpenter's trade for a year, then entered the cabinet shop of McCord & Van Glason, an old firm, with which he remained fourteen years, then entered the furniture business for himself at Malcom, Iowa, in which he remained two and one-half years, then returned to Newton and soon afterwards went on the road as traveling salesman, which he followed successfully for a period of twenty-five years, handling furniture five years and undertaker's goods the remainder of the time.

In 1900 he and his son put up a laundry plant here known as the Newton Steam Laundry, which they operated for ten years, employing about fifteen people. In 1908 Mr. Howard turned the business of the plant over to his son, exchanged residences with him and retired.

On September 12, 1866, Mr. Howard was married to Adelaide Townsend, a native of New Jersey, and the daughter of James and Esther Townsend, both natives of New Jersey. This union resulted in the birth of the following children: Frances, wife of Murray Galusha, of Memphis, Tennessee, he being manager of the Western Newspaper Union there; they have three children, Howard, George D. and Robert. Charles E. Howard, proprietor of the Newton Steam Laundry, married Catherine Saun, daughter of George Saun, formerly an old citizen of Newton, now living in Des Moines; they have three children, Chauncy B., George P. and Karl E. Grace

Howard, now deceased, married Dr. B. A. Miller, of Newton, her death having occurred at Vermillion, South Dakota; Delia is the wife of Roy B. Fisk, deputy city clerk of Newton.

Politically, Mr. Howard is a Republican; he belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and he is a Mason, having attained the Knight Templar degree. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 642.