Richard Howard

    Richard Howard, who died at his home in Canton, Mass. January 31, 1895, left to his family the inestimable inheritance of a good name. A man of unusual steadfastness of character and purpose, Industrious, capable, and trustworthy, for fifty-seven consecutive years he was connected with one of the manufacturing establishments of Canton, filling successively various positions, working his way from the lowest to the highest, in each being faithful to the duties thereof.  He was born February 12, 1816  in England, and was a son of William Howard.

    In 1828 William Howard sailed from England with his wife and children, and soon after his arrival in Massachusetts settled in Canton being the first member of his immediate family to cross the ocean.  He had been a gardener by occupation while in his native land but on coming here he sought other labor, and for some years worked for Mr. Lincoln in the Revere Copper Works, remaining there until his death in 1850, at the age of sixty-six years. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Susan Beaumont, fourteen children were born, of whom but one, George Howard, of California, now lives.

    Richard Howard obtained his early education in England, and coming to this country when a boy of twelve years was afforded the privilege of two years' attendance at the Canton schools   At the age of fourteen he began working in a woolen mill, but being dissatisfied with the labor stayed there two months only.  He then began working in the Revere Copper Works in a subordinate capacity, and, having served a full apprenticeship, was promoted from one department to another, finally being appointed superintendent of the works, serving in this high position for forty years. In politics he uniformly supported the principles of the Republican party.

    On October 8, 1841, Mr. Howard married Miss Mary A. Crane, who was born in Milton, Mass., a daughter of Jesse and Susan (Brooks) Crane.  Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Howard, three have passed to the life immortal, namely: Mary T.,  who married Henry Merrill, and died in 1896; Grace A., who died in childhood; and Amelia F., who died in infancy.  The survivors are: Susan W., the first born, living with her widowed mother;  William; and George E.  The sons are highly esteemed residents of Canton, and are  both employed  in the  Revere  Copper Works, with which their father was so long associated, and in which their grandfather was also an employee.  Fraternally, Mr. Howard was  a  member  of  the  Blue  Hill Lodge, I. O. O. F., in which he had passed all the chairs; and of the Rebeccas.  For many years be was an active member and the treasurer of the Congregational  church, to  which  Mrs. Howard likewise belongs.

From BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Volume XXV.
Containing life sketches of leading citizens of Norfolk County, Massachusetts
Pub. Boston, Biographical Review Publishing Company, 1898
All biographical information is provided by the subject or family member, reviewed and edited by them before going to print.