National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-04-12
Death of Hon. wmiam A. Howard.


Hon. William A. Howard, Governor of Da-
kota, died at the National Hotel in this city
on Saturday morning, surrounded by tho
members of his family, who. with tho eXcep-
tion Of Mrs. Howard, had been summoned on
account of his declining health. Funtral ser.
vices were held ut G o'clock, aud the remains
wero taken by tho 1880 train for Detroit
where they will be inferred. Tho services,
which were short but impressive, were con-
Quoted by DIR. Byron Sunderland, former
classmatc and personal friend of the deceased,
and DIR. John Chester, who was his pastor
while resident of Washington. There wcro
present at tho funeral services President and
Mrs. Hayes, Secretary aud Mrs. Sherman, Sec
rotary Schurz. Judge Clifford, Commissioner
Trowbridge, Assistant Attorney General Mar
bio, tho entire Michigan delegation, many
Senators and Representatives, and n large
number of citizens Of Michigan engaged In tho
Civil Service in the different Departments. A
beautiful wreath from tho conservatory OF the
Executive Mansion was placed upon the
coffin. Eight members OF the Michigan dole
CATION acted as pall-bcarers.
Governor Howard was born in Vermont in
1913, and received q classical education gradu.
ating at Middlebury College in 1889. lie
studied law aud commenced practice in the
city of Detroit. He was one of the earliest
members of tho Re publican party, and was
chosen Representative in Congress from
Michigan from 1855 TO 1861. lie was with
Hon. John Sherman member of the famou.
Covode committee which investigated and
brought to light the atrocities committed by
the pro'slavery Democrats under the a'lminis'
tration Of Buchanan in their efforts TO make
Kansas a slave State. He was an eloquent
speaker, and IN his denunciatiOn of those out
RACES lie often became eloctrifying. In 1851
he was appointed by Mr.. Lincoln Postmaste r
at Dotroit. In 1869 ho was appointed Minis.
ter to China but altor holding the matter un-
der ud dvisemcnt for some time he was forced to
tho conclusion that his health would not
permit him to accept, and declined the
appointment Still retaining M active
interest In political matters. he accepted
tho position of land commissioner of
the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad
Company. In 1916, us q member OF
the Michigan delegation, his was the frst vote
10 break from the supporters of Blnine at tho
Cincinnati Convention, taking with him tho
whole twenty-five otes of the State of Mich-
gan TO the support Of Ohio for Hayes which
was followed by State after State until the
nomination was assured. In March, 1873, no
was rendered tho Governorship of Dakota, and
accepted the Office In the hope that that eli.
mate would restore his failing health. Like
tho late Senator Morton, physical inhrmity
did not seem to impair his mental vigor. As
many US thirty years ago he was declined as u
risk by number Of life insurance companies,
aud he was often heard to romark that he had
outlivod most Of the companies that had re-
jected him.
Governor Howard, accompanied by his wife,
came East two or three months ago in the
hope that his health might BIO improved, but
his diseases were too deep-seated, aud II be-
came evident his end was high, His children
were summoned, aud his two sons came sew
eral days ago. His two daughters (both mar.
ried) reached here on the morning preceding
his death. 1t was satisfaction TO know that
in his last moments he was surrounded by his
family, and had every care that loving hands
could administer.