The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-11-21
FARM BUREAU HEAD
WAS BORN ON FARM
AND STILL IS FARMER
BY WILLIAM r. sANBoRN

When a man attains TO place IN
the spot light because of his genius
or acknowledged leadership, people
are often curious to know something
of his early history. Where was he
born, and how long ago? How have
his achievements been accomplished?
What has been his training and eX-
perience: in brief, who is he?
When Jim Howard decided it TO
he good time to link up all the state
farm declarations into national or
ganization he found a large member
ship ready to fall into line. Under his
potent influence and dominating lea
dership each state farm bureau rap
idly increased it's membership. As a
matter Of fact the farm bureau move
ment has flourished like a green bay
tree Monetary and market condi-
tions have favored the movement.
Farmers became restless and dissat-
isfied because of the high cost of the
goods they were compelled to buy and
the low prices received for their grain
and live stock. They stood ready to
welcome any movement that gave
promise of lettering their affairs. 1t
was the organizers opportunity, and
which still persists.
James r. Howard, President
To begin, then. James r. Howard is
n farmer. He has farmed for many
years. More than that his father was
farmer. a North Carolina farmer, if
YOU please. Not long after Jim was
born, about fifty years ago that was,
his parents pulled up stakes and NOV
ed to Iowa Here young Jim attended
Will oil
that corn belt country schools that
far back. and for years later, were not
prepared TO furnish a liberal educa-
ton. The three Rs comprised their
curriculum, although exceptionally
and adapted teachers managed to inn
part more information and mental
training to bright pupils who were
willing an anxious to learn, than
might have reasonably been expected.
Attends Penn College
Young Howard did his full share of
farm work and was saving of his
money. He made the best of what
schooling was available and later
taught an Iowa country school. This
furnished the means to provide a
course at Penn college, at Oskaloosa.
Later on he spent some time at the
Chicago university, where he obtained
his Masters degree.
After that he returned to the Caro-
linas. He taught economics in Glenn
son Agricultural college, of South Car
DINA for some two or three years.
then returned again to Iowa, where he
became cashier of a little country bank
at New Providence, holding that posi-
ton for FIVE years.
Country Bank a School
Speaking with reference to Mr.. How
ards banking experience. a friend
who signs himself &C. L." writes in
the Farm Journal, of Philadelphia, as
follows:
IF there is any one place better
than another for studying human ma
ture it is at the cashiers desk of a
country bank. Jim Howard learned
many things there. He learned that
poor man is sometimes a better
bank customer than a rich one: that
personal integrity is the basis of credit
more than cattle and chattels.
He watched rural Iowa ebb and
dow past his wicket, and learned many
things as he worked and saw and
studied
He was not discouraged by the
farm situation He left the bank and
returned to the farm. in Marshall
county, Iowa. Eighty acres of land
we're given him BY his untiring efforts
he earned 400 more. There is no bet
ter farmer in Iowa than plain jim
Howard, of C:emons."
Always a Progressive.
During the time Mr.. Howard wa.
accommodating his additional 400 acres
and working as hard as any farmer ir
the state, he was a public spirited
citizen. Very naturally he took al
active interest in school matters, ant
in all things which helped to uplift
He was the main factor in organizing
the first consolidated school distric
in his township,one of the first in tho
state" G. l.. tells US, and he Away.
preached the gospel of organization
and he still breaches II.
Mr. Howard was the first presiden
of the Marshall county farm bureau
When the state farm bureau was or
Ganized in 1918 he was active in tn,
work and became Iowa's first farm
bureau president.
Dionfied and Modest
If YOU have ever heard Mr. Howard
address a meeting you have notet
that he is quiet and dignified in u
tcrance He is not excited does n
ranting. but wthal is persuasive ant
impressive. He is cordial, plai1
spoken and friendly. and in CONVEX
sation is apt to impress you that H.
prefers a social or business chat T.
The privilege of addressing the multi
tude. He impresses one as being
not exactly retiring" or by no mean
bashful but as quiet and self-ei
facing" as one of his old-time farm
friends puts il.