My Genealogy Hound

James B. Howard was born within two miles of where he now lives in 1828, his parents being Wade and Nancy (Robertson) Howard. [See sketch of William G. Howard for parents’ history.] He was the youngest of the family except one, but received somewhat meager educational advantages owing to a dearth of schools at that time. After remaining with his father until 1848, he and a brother began working for themselves in Morgan County, and rented land for two years, after which he purchased a farm in that county, on which he resided for five years, then bought a farm near where he now lives, and in 1865 came to his present location. In 1863 he went to Lancaster County, Neb., but after remaining there a short time returned to Missouri. In 1850 he espoused Martha Bowen, who was born in Indiana in 1831, and by her has a family of five children: John G., L. D., Prairie Ann (wife of Jesse Busan), Wade H. and Dixie P. (wife of James Mayhugh). Mr. Howard and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he belongs to Tipton Lodge No. 56, A. F. & A. M. He is a Democrat in politics, but has never aspired to office. His wife is a daughter of Thomas and Jemima (Newkirk) Bowen. The father died in 1833, and she was then brought by her widowed mother to Missouri. They located first in Howard County, but a year later came to Moniteau County, where the mother died in 1846. Five of her nine children are now living: Drake, Elisha, Charles, Catherine and Martha.