HOMER E. HOWARD. A substantial and prosperous citizen of Madison County, Homer E. Howard, now engaged in farming in Van Buren Township, was for many years identified with the mercantile interests of this part of the County, having been one of the leading druggists of Summitville, He was born September 16, 1872, in Ross County, Ohio, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, Robert C. Howard.
At the age of twenty-five years Robert C. Howard migrated from his Ohio home to Indiana, locating first in Delaware County, where for five years he was engaged in business as a general merchant, Coming to Madison County in 1879, he changed his occupation, and for several years was a large and successful stock buyer and lumber dealer.. He now owns one half of the farm on which his son. Homer, is living, but has nothing to do with its management. He married while a resident of Ohio Ernestine Thomas and into the household thus established two children were born, namely: Homer E., the subject of this sketch; and Edward R., who married Nora Duff, and has two children, Duff and Vaughn, Mr. Howard’s mother, Mrs. Ernestine (Thomas) Howard, died July 2, 1886, and the father wedded Miss Dora E. Paden and to that marriage were born five children of whom three are living at present: Emmett L., a resident of Brownsville, Texas; Ralph 1′., residing in the same city; and Charles W., a resident of Los Angeles, California, Mrs. Howard, the mother of these children, died January 10, 1914, and we herewith quote from a local publication concerning her life and noble deeds:
A brief bit of history concerning the life of Sister Howard, quite inadequate, to be sure. Time and space will not permit but a few brief words but eternity will reveal it all, and in a more perfect way.
“The one thing we know-she has been a great sufferer, but bore it all patiently, and gave evidence, time after time, that her trust and confidence was in God.
“Dora E. Howard, daughter of Elijah and Catherine Paden, was born near Hillsborough, Illinois, Montgomery County, on the 8th day of February, 1851, and went home on the 10th day of January at 4:30 in the afternoon, 1914, She was married to Robert C. Howard at the age of 27, and came to Indiana, and has made this home since that time. To Brother and Sister Howard God gave five children, two went home before their mother, Three sons and two step-sons are left to think of and grieve for mother, She leaves one brother, who lives at Hillsborough, Illinois, and a sister, Mrs. Alfred Swindell, who lives at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, but is now here with her husband.
“Sister Howard was converted when a child and united with the Presbyterian church, After coming to Indiana she united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and was a charter member of the Walnut Street M. E. church, of Summitville. She was a faithful member and worker in the church for many years, and until her health was so impaired that she could not, Her heart was in the work-she loved the church, To sum it all up: She has lived a life, her battles are fought, her victories are won, a character finished, a judgment awarded, a conflict ended. She is gone, She has left a tender, kind-hearted, loving, sympathetic husband, one who did all a husband could do for a sick wife, and whose tender hands were administering to her when she slipped away. Her memory will stay close, and her spirit will administer until we join her in the paradise of God,”
Acquiring his elementary education in the Zion School, of Delaware County, Indiana, Homer E. Howard completed his studies at Summitville, Indiana. In 1895, in partnership with his brother, Edward R., Mr. Howard established himself in the drug business in Summitville, and continued it successfully for a period of sixteen years, While there he took an active interest in everything pertaining to the public welfare, and had the distinction of putting in the Summitville Electric Light and Water Works, and of installing the first telephone line in that place, About five years ago Mr. Howard assumed possession of the 185-acre farm owned by his father and himself, and has since carried on general farming in a most satisfactory manner.
On April 26, 1905, Mr. Howard was united in marriage with Mary Paulin, daughter of Jesse J. and Frederica (Brunni) Paulin, Their union has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Paul E., Frederick B. and Robert, deceased, Politically Mr. Howard is a Democrat; fraternally he belonged to the Knights of Pythias, Gas Belt No. 361, His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.