The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1933-02-09
Maj. Jno. R.
Howard, 90,
Died Feb. 8
Early Day Resident of This
City-Active Mason,
G.. A. r. Member
BURIAL SATURDAY AT z
Indian Agent at White Earth
for Several Years-Friend
of Jas. A. Hill

Major John r. Howard, of Civil
War fame, former resident of this
city many years ago, died at, his
home in Minneapolis early Wednes-
day morning, as result of inf1rmi-
ties of old age and complications.
The remains will be brought to
this city early Saturday morning.
Burial will be made in Greenwood
cemetery under Masonic auspices
at 200 P. M. The following story
appearing in last evenings Mime
apolis Journal gives a pretty COM
piete history of the life and activi-
ties of this splendid gentleman:
1.-THE "boys in blue" number one
less today, for Major John Reed
Howard has answered his final
"roll call" The famed commander
of two Minnesota companies in the
Civil War, Indian fighter and head
of Morgan G. A. r. post, died at 4
A. NJ, today in his home, 1889 Har-
riet avenue.
Major Howard, who was 81
years old last September 5, was a
direct descendent of John Howard,
of Bridgewater Mass, who served
with Captain Miles Standish.
Born in Winthrop, Maine, he
moved to Beloit, Wis, and in 1860
came with another brother to Blue
Earth county, Minnesota, by COW
cred wagon, navigating the roadless
Iowa prairies by compass. After
teaching school for four months at
Lake Crystal, Major Howard re-
ceived $25 payment. In 1860 he cast
his first vote for Abraham Lincoln,
although he was not yet II years
old. Tis age was not questioned,
and the vote was accepted.
Major Howard was the last sur
viving officer of the second Min
nesota Volunteer Cavalry. He
first enlisted at President Lincoln's
initial call for volunteers, after
walking Is miles to Mankato to
enroll, but the Mankato company
was not needed then to fill the
quota.
I'm 1863 he enlisted as a private
in the second Minnesota Volunteer
Cavalry. Later that same year he
was commissioned second lieuten-
ant of E company, serving with
that regiment in quelling Indian up
risings in the vicinity of Fort
Ridgely and Sank Centre.
"A firm friend of James ]. Hill,
former Senator Knut Nelson, Judge
Ell Torrance and many other Civil
war veterans, Major Howard had
been head of the state Cavalry As
ISOLATION for many years, a MEM
Der of the Military Order of the
Loyal Legion and commander of
Morgan G. A. r. post.
I'm civil life, he served as assist
ant clerk in the Minnesota house of
Representatives from 1873 to 1880, as
chief clerk from 1881 to 1887 and as
a member from Sank Centre in
1908.
HE was assistant claim agent for
the Great Northern railway from
1887 to 1902 and chief claim agent
from 1902 to 1904. Following ser
vice as Indian agent at the White
Earth reservation from 1908 to
1916, he became supervisor of In
dian service there for four years.
From 1920 to 1925 he was quarter
master of the Minnesota Soldiers
home.
Surviving are his wife, one son,
Brigadier General H. p. Howard,
retired, cutodian at the Federal Re
serve Bank; five daughters, Mrs,
Edwin Fferke, Minneapolis; Mrs. H.
u Ev-ial/cNa HEne
Watson, Illinois; Mrs. w. D. Burr,
Evanston, ILL.,, and Mrs. r. s. Math-
ews, Spokane.
Funeral services have been set
for 200 P. M. Friday in the Davies
mortuary and burial will be at 200
p M. SATURDAY. in Sank Centre"