H. C. Howard M.D.

 

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: AYERS, BROOKS, HOWARD, MONROE, WOOD

H. C. HOWARD, M.D., one of the oldest physicians of Champaign County, and who has been remarkably skillful and successful in his calling, came to this vicinity in the spring of 1854, and for a period of over thirty years has been an admired and respected citizen who, by his uprightness of character and enterprising business talent, has fully identified himself with the interests of the county. Dr. Howard was born in the Empire State, on the 12th of July, 1829, while his parents were residents of Monroe County. He is the son of Eleazer and Matilda (WOOD) HOWARD, who were born in Tolland County, Conn., the former in Union and the latter in Ashland Township.

Eleazer Howard at an early day removed from his native State, and located on a farm near the city of Rochester, N. Y., where he lived sixteen years. Subsequently he became a resident of the town of Yates, where he engaged in farming and hotel-keeping for another sixteen years, and from there removed to Franklin County, Ohio, where for ten years he has occupied in farming and milling. In 1851 he resolved to push on further westward, and came to Illinois, locating in McLean County, where he made his home until his death, which occurred after he had arrived at the advanced age of eighty-two years. The parental household included six children, one of whom died in infancy. Four are now living, namely, George M., Dan O., John W. and our subject.

Dr. Howard was reared on the farm, and remained with his parents until seventeen years of age, in the meantime receiving a practical education. He then went to Columbus, Ohio, and entered upon the study of medicine under the instruction of Profs. Hamilton & Butterfield, and was admitted to practice in 1851, commencing in a New York hospital, which was the refuge for emigrants and those unfortunates who were partly the objects of charity. He remained there two years, then came to McLean County, this State, and located in Le Roy for one year, whence he removed to this county and has since remained. He was admitted to the State Medical Society of Ohio in 1851, and is a member of the State, District and County Societies. He is Republican in politics, and socially belongs to the I. O. O. F. and A. F. & A. M.

Aside from his practice Dr. Howard has been engaged in developing mines in Colorado for the last six years, and patented several claims the past year. He has also been occupied in buying and selling Florida orange lands, having a town laid out on his own estate there, which is called Aubendale. He donated eighty acres of land to secure the South Florida Railroad through that town. He has heretofore been quite prominently identified with railroad interests, having been President of the Gainesville, Ocala & Charlotte Harbor Railroad in Florida. It will thus be seen that his life has been full of activity, and it is certain that he enjoys himself in no other way so well. His busy brain is ever devising some new plan for the development of some new section of country or some new and worthy enterprise. Were it not for such men America might have remained in its original condition, without railroads or manufactories, and the thousand other things which now make life a pleasure and satisfaction.

Dr. Howard was married, in 1857, to Miss Miranda MONROE, who was a native of Rochester, N. &., and the daughter of John and Catherine (AYERS) MONROE, natives of New York and New Jersey respectively. Of this union there were born five children: Edwin M. married Miss Belle BROOKS, of Florida, where he is now engaged in the loan, land and fruit business; Mary M.; John H. was killed in a railroad collision in Colorado; Charles P., and Harta C., Jr., are living with their parents in Champaign. The family residence is located upon the corner of Church and Randolph streets, and the Doctor's office is at the corner of Main and Neal streets.