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HOWARD, Elmer A. - 1912 Bio (1858-1921)

HOWARD, COOK, LAMPSON, LAMSON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/16/2007 at 11:04:27

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 248-250

Elmer A. HOWARD.

While Elmer A. HOWARD's chief business interests call him to Chicago he is yet identified with banking and manufacturing enterprises in Fairfield and his family maintain their residence here. He is one of Fairfield's native sons, born July 18, 1858, his parents being Levi and Elizabeth (COOK) HOWARD, natives of Kentucky and New York respectively. The year 1848 witnessed the arrival of both in this city, Mr. HOWARD coming with his parents while Mrs. HOWARD made the trip with her brother. They were married here and spent their remaining days in Jefferson county, Mr. HOWARD following the occupation of farming for a time while later he took up the business of contracting and building, in which he met with a fair measure of success. To him and his wife were born three children, of whom John died at the age of twenty-five years and Minnie when twenty-eight years of age, leaving Elmer A. HOWARD as the sole surviving representative of the family.

Throughout his entire life the subject of this review has regarded Fairfield as his home and in its public schools he acquired his early education while later he spent two years as a student in the the Exline (sic - Axline) University of this city. He entered the railway service in the capacity of telegraph operator and later became station agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at this place. Subsequently he became interested in the shoe business as a partner of Ed Hunt under the firm style of Hunt & HOWARD, continuing his connection with merchandising until appointed during the first administration of President Cleveland to the position of Indian agent for the Pima, Moncopa and Papago Indians. He occupied that position for three years, on the expiration of which period he returned to Fairfield and reentered business circles here as one of the organizers of the Iowa State Savings Bank, of which he became vice president and manager. He was thus for several years closely associated with the financial interests of the city but was again called to public office during the second administration of President Cleveland when appointed national bank examiner for Iowa. He resigned after three years and again took charge of the Iowa State Savings Bank. His fitness for and fidelity in office were manifest in the fact that he has again and again been called to serve in some public capacity. His fellow townsmen elected him a member of the board of county supervisors, the first democrat ever chosen to serve in that capacity, and while he was on the board the present beautiful courthouse was erected. Later he was elected mayor of the city of Fairfield and inaugurated the first paving here. His entire administration was characterized by progress, reform and improvement and while there was no needless expenditure of funds he did not believe in that narrow, short-sighted economy which is followed by a sacrifice of the best interests of the city. In 1900 he resumed with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company and is now its real-estate and industrial commissioner, having charge of all its lines with headquarters in Chicago. He still retains connection with banking and manufacturing interests in Fairfield and the city claims him as one of its valued citizens.

In 1883 Mr. HOWARD was united in marriage to Miss Mary LAMPSON (sic - LAMSON), who was born in Fairfield, in 1860, a daughter of Ward LAMPSON. They have three children: Nathaniel, a graduate of the West Point Military Academy of the class of 1907; Hubert, who was graduated from Parsons College with the class of 1909 and is now a student of the Harvard Law School; and Eugene, who completed a course in Parsons College in 1911. The social prominence of the family is indicated by the cordial hospitality which is extended to them by the best homes of the city. Mr. HOWARD has long been a director of public through and action and has wielded a wide influence here. His record as an official and as a business man has been so honorable that he has gained the confidence and good-will of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He belongs to that class of men whose enterprising spirit is not used alone for their own benefit. He has advanced the general good and promoted public prosperity by his able managed individual interests and over his record as an official there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.


 

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