Capt. Philip J. Howard, operator of a large stone quarry at Rosiclare, Ill., is a descendant of one of the oldest families in that section of the state. His grandfather, John Howard, came from Virginia while he was still quite a young man, and settled in what was then Pope county. He married a Miss Robinett and they lived their whole lives in the vicinity of the Old Illinois Furnace, in what is now Hardin county. They had four sons and one daughter, all now deceased. One son, Joshua, was at once time sheriff of Pope county, before Hardin county was organized. John Howard lived to be seventy years of age and his wife reached the age of seventy-five. Their son, Philip J. Howard, father of the subject of this sketch, was born six miles north of Elizabethtown, grew to manhood on his father's farm, married Miss Minerva McFarland, and lived his whole life on a farm near that town.

Minerva McFarland was a daughter of James and Elizabeth McFarland, who built the first rude log house where the town of Elizabethtown now stands. As the settlement grew and the town began to take form, it was named after Mrs. McFarland. The old log house gave way in time to a commodious brick dwelling, which is still standing and is now used as hotel. James McFarland was a farmer and flatboatman, making several trips to New Orleans by that means before the advent of railroads.

Philip J. and Minerva Howard had three children, Elizabeth, Philip J., and one deceased. Elizabeth is now a Mrs. Dunn, living in Kansas. The father died at the age of thirty-five and the mother lived to the age of seventy-nine years. After the death of her husband she married a second time, her second husband being James Kirkham, and they had give children, two of whom, James H. and Pinckney, now live at Smithland, Ky., and the others are deceased.

Captain Howard was born near Elizabethtown, March 11, 1840, received his education in the common schools, and on July 29, 1861, enlisted in Company A, Twenty-ninth Illinois volunteer infantry, under Capt. Charles M. Ferrill. The regiment was mustered in at Camp Butler, and after a short stay at Cairo joined the forces in West Tennessee. It was at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Belmont, Mo., Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and Holly Springs. At Holly Springs a portion of the regiment, among them Captain Howard, was captured and held prisoners at the parole camp at St. Louis for about five months. In June, 1863, they were exchanged and rejoined the command in front of Vicksburg. After that the regiment was at Fort Blakely, Mobile, and numerous minor engagements, not being mustered out until December, 1865, when it was discharged at Hempstead, Tex. For gallant conduct at Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing, Private Howard was promoted from the ranks to the office of captain, and commanded his company the rest of the time he was in the service.

In November, 1865, he was married to Miss Jennie Howe, a native of Harrison county, Ind., and for two years they lived on a farm in Saline county, Ill. They then removed to Rosiclare, where they have lived ever since, now being the oldest residents of the place. For some time he was in the hotel business; was then manager of the Pell Mining Company's interests for fourteen years, and since then has been engaged in the stone business. Captain Howard has taken an active part in politics ever since the war, and is one of the leading Republicans of the county. In 1886 he was elected sheriff of the county against large odds and held the office for four years. He was for sixteen years the postmaster at Rosiclare, and has held some of the minor offices of a local character.

He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 276, at Elizabethtown; Empire Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also at Elizabethtown, and with his family belongs to the Christian church. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Captain Howard and his wife have five sons: Charles L., Philip J., John R., William H. and Walter P., all living at Rosiclare.

Note: Capt. Howard died Feb. 27 1911 and was buried in the family cemetery behind the First Christian Church in Rosiclare, Illinois.

Submitted by H. C. Davis

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