My Genealogy Hound

J. Thompson Howard, farmer and stock-raiser of Willow Fork Township, is a native of Missouri, born in what is now Cooper County, March 28, 1821, and is the son of Col. Wade Howard, a native of Kentucky, who was married, on the State line, to Miss Nancy Robertson, a native of Tennessee. Col. Howard and family moved from Kentucky to Missouri about 1819, settling in what was then Cooper County, and improved a number of farms in Cooper and Moniteau Counties. He died in the last named county about 1879. He was colonel of the militia in early times, and was sheriff of Morgan County one or more terms. He reared six children, four sons and two daughters, four sons and one daughter now living. J. Thompson Howard was the third child in order of birth. He grew to manhood in his native State, and remained with his father until his majority. He was married in Moniteau County, December 3, 1844, to Miss Mary E. Gist, a native of Kentucky, but who was reared in Missouri. Her father, Benjamin Gist, was one of the pioneers from Kentucky. After marriage Mr. Howard located in the vicinity of his present residence, entered land and made a home. He now owns about 500 acres of land, with 260 in one tract, and about one mile from Tipton. The balance of the land is in two farms in the county. Mr. Howard lost his wife in November, 1885. They were the parents of eight children: Matilda, wife of Joseph W. Hickman; Benjamin H., married, and lives near his father; Wade, married, and resides on one of the farms; Madora, wife of David Spurgeon; Alice G., wife of J. L. Howards now residing in the county; Mary, wife of Gains Howard; Sarah E. and Bertha S. Mr. Howard is a member of the Baptist Church, and belongs to Tipton Lodge No. 56, A. F. & A. M.