Joseph E. Howard

HOWARD, ALCORN, GILBERTSON, SKINNER, SWAN

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall
Date: 9/15/2008 at 07:51:01

JOSEPH E. HOWARD

Although now living retired in Forest City, Joseph E. Howard has figured prominently in connection with its professional and public interests. The energy and enterprise which he has displayed in the conduct of business affairs are the qualities which have brought him well deserved success, enabling him now to rest from further labor in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

Iowa claims him as a native son. He was born in Fayette county, August 31, 1855, a son of Samuel and Jane (Alcorn) Howard, natives of Mercer county and of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, respectively. In 1854 they became residents of Iowa and in 1869 took up their abode in Forest City, where their remaining days were passed. Samuel Howard purchased a farm near the town and devoted five years to general agricultural pursuits upon that place. He then removed to the city and here lived until called to his final rest in May, 1907. For fifteen years he had survived his wife, who passed away in May, 1892, in the faith of the Congregational church, of which she was a devoted member. Mr. Howard gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and was classed with the valued and representative citizens of his district.

Joseph E. Howard after acquiring a public school education attended the State University at Iowa City, where he pursued a law course. He was admitted to the bar in 1878 and continued in the active practice of law for two years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to the real estate business, in which he has since been actively engaged, and throughout the intervening period he has negotiated many important realty transfers which have figured as features in the steady growth and development of this section. He was also editor of the Summit for two years and was one of the owners of that paper in connection with G. S. Gilbertson for a decade.

It is not alone in business circles that Mr. Howard has figured, for he has again and again been tested in relation to public service and never has he been found wanting. At all times he has stood for progress and improvement in community affairs and his efforts to further the best interests of city and county have been far-reaching and beneficial. In 1895 he was appointed clerk of the district court. He served for eight years as a member of the city council and for two terms as mayor of Forest City, while for eight and one-half years he filled the position of postmaster, retiring from that office on the 1st of July, 1907. At a boosters meeting held recently one of the speakers in reviewing the progress of the city said that if Mr. Howard had been postmaster for four years longer he would have had Des Moines receiving mail by rural delivery from Forest City, which jesting remark indicates the great energy and initiative which Mr. Howard brings to everything that he undertakes to do. He was one of the organizers and proprietors of the first bank established in Buffalo Center, it being founded in 1892 under the name of the Bank of Buffalo Center. It is now known, however, as the First National Bank.

On the 2d of November, 1879, Mr. Howard was married to Miss Charlotte Elnora Skinner, a daughter of D. E. and Anna L. (Swan) Skinner, who came from Connecticut to the middle west, settling in Iowa at an early day after living for some time in Illinois. They established their home in Allamakee county, where Mr. Skinner followed the occupation of farming.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard have become parents of seven children, as follows: Ina and Mabel, both at home; Jay E., who is engaged in the lumber business at Estherville, Iowa; Ethel, a teacher at Rock Rapids, Iowa; Dan S., who is in the mail service and resides at Forest City; Alice, who is engaged in teaching at Buffalo Center, Iowa; and Margie, also a teacher at Buffalo Center, this state.

The family are members of the Congregational church and do all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. In politics Mr. Howard has ever been a republican, giving loyal aid to the party because of his firm belief in its principles. In his fraternal relations he is a Mason, belonging to Truth Lodge, No. 213, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and to Bethel Chapter, No. 116, R. A. M., at Garner. His life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft and he has given many tangible evidences of his belief in the brotherhood of man. While his interests are many, the activities of his life have been well balanced. His is a symmetrical character, one that has never been developed along certain lines to the dwarfing of his possibilities in other connections, and while he has carefully managed his business interests for the purpose of attaining legitimate success, he has at the same time utilized his powers and energies for the benefit of the community and has contributed much to public progress.

~History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa; Pioneer Publishing Co.; 1917; pg 34-35