SYDNEY P. HOWARD
In
a twofold manner Lucas county has profited by the activities
of Sydney P. Howard, who not only has raised agricultural
standards, being one of the substantial farmers of his
locality, but for thirty years has been connected with the
cause of education as teacher and member of the school board
in Lucas and Clarke counties.
A native of Newton county, Missouri he was born on July
24, 1850, his parents being Henry C. and Cynthia Ann (Bonner)
Howard, both of whom were born near Bowling Green, Kentucky,
the former on April 11, 1811, and the latter on February 3,
1812. The
parents remained in Missouri until 1863, when removal was made
to Warren county, Illinois, where they resided until 1866,
when they came to Lucas county.
They were among the earlier families to settle here,
the father following agricultural pursuits until his death,
which occurred only one year after settlement was made here,
September 7, 1867. The
mother survived him nearly forty years, passing away in Lucas
county on June 5, 1906.
In their family were nine children, of whom five are
living. Those
deceased are: Mrs.
Julia Lowder, born September 23, 1833; Mrs. Melinda Jane
Lowder, born December 25, 1837; Elizabeth Ellen, born May 27,
1839, who died January 18, 1889; and Cynthia Livona, born
August 25, 18444, who died January 10, 1848. The living children
are: John M.,
born June 20, 1836, a resident of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania;
William Henry, born September 5, 1840, residing in Creston,
Washington; Mrs. Paralee F. Brinegar, born February 24, 1848,
residing in Otter Creek township; Sydney P., of this review;
and George Washington, born May 27, 1853, who makes his home
in Berkeley, California.
Of their nine children the two eldest were born near
Bowling Green, Kentucky, the next following three in Illinois
and the remainder in Missouri.
Sydney P. Howard began his education in the schools near his father’s farm in Newton county, Missouri, and in 1863 accompanied his parents to Warren county, Illinois, where he continued his education. There remaining until 1866, he then came to Lucas county, where he has since resided. He has been prominently and closely connected with the cause of education in this district from pioneer times and there are many who are indebted to him for their instruction in Lucas and Clarke counties, where he taught school for thirty terms. He now gives his attention largely to his valuable farm of four hundred and seventy-seven and a half acres located on sections 28, 29 and 33 of Otter Creek township, although he still serves as secretary of the local school board, a position which he has efficiently filled for the past thirty years. His farm is under high cultivation, yielding bountiful harvests, and good improvements have been made upon the land. The residence is located on section 28 and, commodious and comfortably furnished, represents an ideal farm home. Outbuildings and barns are in the best of repair and the most modern equipment and implements were instituted to facilitate farm labor and increase the productivity of the soil. His energetic and industrious efforts have been crowned with success and he is today considered as one of the substantial men of his locality.
On
November 9, 1887, Mr. Howard was united in marriage to Miss
Catharine Lavilla Penick, who was born in Noble county,
Indiana, July 17, 1864, and came with her parents to Lucas
county in 1878. Her
parents were Samuel and Eliza (Fisher) Penick, the former born
in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on May 26, 1842, and the latter in
Holmes county, that state, on May 28, 1843. Both are still
living, making their home on a farm in Otter Creek township,
this county. Mr.
and Mrs. Penick became the parents of six children, of whom
Mrs. Sydney P. Howard is the eldest. The others were: William Sherman,
who died in infancy; John L., deceased; Nathan W., of Otter
Creek township; Mrs. Florence Curtis, deceased; and Mrs. Ruby
Anderson, of Warren county, this state. All of the children
were born in Indiana with the exception of the youngest, who
is a native of Iowa. Mr.
and Mrs. Howard became the parents of eleven children, all of
whom were born in Otter Creek township. They were: Ina Ethel, born
December 14, 1888, who died December 15, 1893; Charles Earl,
born May 10, 1890, who died December 8, 1893; Mrs. Elsie Pearl
Pim, born December 4, 1891, a resident of Jackson township;
Mrs. Beulah May Edwards, born October 3 1893, residing in
Otter Creek township; Katie P., born July 10, 1895; Wayne
Porter, born April 8, 1897; Flossie Carol, born January 7,
1899, who died February 9, 1899; Louie Gail, born April 30,
1900; Ila Lois, born January 28, 1902; Ima Nell, born March 1,
1904; and Zella Ruth, born December 5, 1906.
Politically Mr. Howard is a republican and has efficiently served in the position of township clerk, while for three decades he has done important work as secretary of the local school board, of which he has been a member since 1882. Both he and his wife are members of the United Evangelical church of Otter Creek, in the affairs of which they are active, giving their helpful support to all movements undertaken to spread the Christian spirit and elevate humanity. While Mr. Howard has attained to an enviable position and has achieved financial independence, his life work has been of greater importance, for he has played a vital part n the advancement of Lucas county and his home locality along moral, intellectual and material lines.