The John Henry Howard Family

Facts by Lurlene Howard Francis

John Henry Howard and his wife came to Texas from Anniston, Alabama, in the latter part of the 1800s. They settled near Rusk in what then was known as New Birmingham, the Cherokee County town which sprang up as an iron center and then was abandoned.

The Howards moved to Jacksonville about 1910 and lived on Kickapoo Street where Joe Wright Elementary school now is located. Later, they moved to a house on North Ragsdale Street.

There were six children, three boys and three girls, but all now are deceased except one son, Dr. W. L. Howard. He is a medical doctor and has an extensive practice in New York City, where he now resides. Another of the sons, deceased, was a dentist in Houston for many years.

John Henry Howard attended school in Montgomery, Alabama. He was a firm believer in education and insisted that his children take advantage of all possible educational endeavors. He taught in Dallas, Rusk, Palestine and Jacksonville and was an early-day school principal in Jacksonville. He lived to be 96, and died about 1960.

Not only was John H. Howard an educator, but also a property owner. He acquired property throughout Jacksonville, and the estate still owns business buildings including some retail stores on Main Street in the downtown area. At one time, the estate also owned numerous rent houses, but many of these have been disposed of in recent years.

Mr. and Mrs. John Henry Howard. He was early-day educator and property owner in Jacksonville. They came here in 1910.