JOHN HOWARD was born in Rutherford county, Tenn., Feb. 23, 1819, his parents being Henry and Charlotte (Ballard) Howard, natives of North Carolina. His parents came to Greene county in 1835, and located two miles east of White Hall, where his father bought 40 acres of land. There were only two stores in White Hall when they came here. His father lived in this neighborhood, about 12 years. He then moved to Scott county where he lived four years, then removed to Mason county, where he remained 12 years and then moved to Harrison county, Iowa, where he spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1866. There were 13 children in the family - Coleman, Nancy, William, John, Avery, Allen, Sarah, Mary, Francis, Franklin, Thomas, and two who died in infancy. Six of these children are now living. Our subject was 16 years of age when his parents came to Greene county, and he remained with them until he was 25 years of age. He then began the battle of life for himself, and buying 100 acres of land on Apple Creek Prairie, he moved on to it and engaged in farming there for three years. He then sold that farm and bought 120 acres on sections 22 and 27, on which he lived seven years, when on account of his wife's health, she having the consumption, he left the farm and moved to White Hall, where he resided two years. His wife died while there, and after her death, he moved back to his farm and has since remained there. He has been three times married. June 18, 1844, he was married to Margery A. Bell, and by this union there were five children, three of whom are living - Francis M., married Melissa Teeple, resides in Harrison county, Iowa; William H., married Elizabeth Barrow, resides in Calloway county, Mo.; John A., married Martha Clark, resides in Harrison county, Iowa. Mrs. Howard died in 1857, and Mr. Howard was again married in Sept., 1858, to Martha King, daughter of Samuel King. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are living - Thomas, Edgar, who married Winnie Stone, and resides at home, and Herbert. In April, 1872, Mr. Howard was again left a widower, and in Aug., 1873, he was united in marriage with Harriet Smith, daughter of David Smith. This union has been blessed with one child, - Catherine. Mr. Howard now owns 166 1/3 acres of land. He deals in stock to some extent; especially in Jersey and short-horn Durham cattle and Poland-china hogs and is a successful, enterprising farmer. He has held the offices of school director and road supervisor, and is a member of the Grange lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Howard are members of the M. E. church of White Hall.