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1907 Past and Present Biographies

Ralph G. Howard

Ralph G. Howard, a practitioner at the bar of Greene county since 1896, possessing all the requisite qualities of the able lawyer, so that he is now enjoying an extensive clientagc, was born in Jefferson on the 19th of February, 1874, a son of Isaac D. and Eliza J. (Kinney) Howard, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. After completing his literary education as a pupil in the public schools of his native town he engaged in clerking in a store for a year or more and then, at the age of nineteen years, entered his father’s office, where he read law for three years. His thorough preparation enabled him to successfully pass the required examination and he was admitted to the bar in Des Moines, October 2, 1896, and admitted to practice in the United States courts May 9, 1899. In October, 1896, he formed a partnership with his father under the firm name of I. D. & R. G. Howard and following the admission of his brother, Arthur D. Howard, to the firm on the 1st of February, 1903, the style was changed to Howard & Howard, which has been maintained since the death of the father in 1906.

From the beginning of his connection with the bar Ralph G. Howard has shown himself a painstaking and thorough lawyer. He is a strong advocate with the jury and concise in his appeals before the court. Much of the success which has attended him in his professional career is undoubtedly due to the fact that in no instance will he permit himself to go into court without first having thoroughly studied his case from every standpoint, looking upon it from the position of the opponent as well as that of the defense. His pleas have been characterized by a terse and decisive logic and a lucid presentation rather than by flights of oratory, and his power is the greater before court or jury from the fact that it is recognized that his aim is ever to secure justice and not to enshroud the case in a sentimental garb or illusion which will thwart the principles of right and equity involved. Mr. Howard is now the owner of considerable city property and also has farming land in Greene county.

He has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Josie Inbody, a daughter of John and Hattie Inbody, well known citizens of Jefferson. She died in June, 1897, and on June 28, 1899, Mr. Howard wedded Miss Mary E. Latey, of Omaha, Nebraska, by whom he had three children: Alfred Dwight, who died in infancy; Blanche E., born June 16, 1902; and Doris C., born September 23, 1906.

In religious faith Mr. Howard is a Baptist and in his social relations is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic fraternity. He is also a member of the Greene County Bar Association and is an ardent supporter of the republican party and its principles, taking a deep interest in public affairs and serving as a delegate to various county and state conventions of his party. His aid is cheerfully given any movement which he believes will prove of public benefit and both as a citizen and lawyer he commands the confidence and high regard of all with whom he is brought in contact.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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