San Diego-Los Angeles County CA Archives Biographies.....Howard, Bryant 1850 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 21, 2006, 3:47 pm

Author: Theodore S. Van Dyke

BRYANT HOWARD.

   ONE of the best known and most respected of San Diego's citizens, is the
President of the Consolidated National Bank, Bryant Howard. Mr. Howard is a
native of New York, and is at the present time in the very prime of life. He
first came to San Diego in 1870, and soon afterwards, in company with the late
James M. Pierce and one or two others, founded the Bank of San Diego, of which
he was the first cashier. The bank building was then located on the corner of
Sixth and H Streets. A short time after this the Commercial Bank of San Diego
was incorporated.

   About 1873, Mr. Howard resigned his position as cashier, and started for
Europe with his wife on an extended tour. Upon his return to this country he
engaged in business in Los Angeles, dealing in paints, oils and glass. His house
was soon in the front rank among the business houses of that city. Under the
style of Howard & Co., the firm has, until recently, been in existence and doing
a large trade. It is now consolidated with one of the leading firms on the
Pacific Coast. Soon after locating in Los Angeles, a strong effort was made by
some of the leading financial men thereto induce Mr. Howard to take charge of a
bank there which they would start. He had, however, a longing to return to San
Diego, not only because he preferred it as a place of residence, but he foresaw
its great commercial future. 

   About this time his old bank in San Diego and the Commercial bank were merged
into one, and known as the Consolidated National Bank. Of this institution Mr.
Howard became cashier. The capital stock of the bank was at first $100,000; but
in August last it was increased to $250,000. For several years Mr. Howard has
been President of the institution, and under his prudent management it his
assumed a leading place among the financial institutions of Southern California.
The bank has never speculated in real estate, nor have any of its officers
engaged in any outside speculations. While strictly conservative in matters
connected with the affairs of the bank, Mr. Howard is one of the most
progressive of San Diego's citizens. Every movement for the advancement of the
city or its people finds in him an able advocate and a substantial friend. When
the first fire company was started here he made it a present of a fire bell,
which is now in use. He is looked upon by the fire laddies as their especial
patron and benefactor, and one of the companies is named after him.

   The San Diego Benevolent Association, which has been in existence for some
time, has done an immense deal of good in a quiet way toward ameliorating the
condition of the deserving poor. One of its principal promoters and continued
benefactors is Bryant Howard. When efforts were being- made to induce the Texas
Pacific to come to San Diego, Bryant Howard was among the foremost in holding
out inducements, and as a member of the Citizens' Committee he worked early and
late to bring about that object. When that project failed, and later on the
Atchison people showed an inclination to build toward this city, Mr. Howard was
equally as energetic in his efforts to induce them to come. The late James M.
Pierce, who was a warm personal friend of Mr. Howard, as well as a business
associate, left a munificent sum—$150,000—for the purpose of founding-a home for
boys and girls.

   It is understood that Mr. Howard, in conjunction with two or three other
gentlemen, who will each donate the same amount, contemplate the endowment of a
chain of benevolent institutions, which will result in great benefit to San
Diego. The plan, as proposed, includes the establishment of a Boys' and Girls'
Aid Society (this is provided for by the will of the late James M. Pierce), an
Orphans' Home, a Kindergarten, an Industrial School, a School of Technology and
a Women's and Children's Hospital, all embracing the same scope; the object
being to gather together all waifs and homeless children and give them a
thorough education. Those too young to go to the public school will be sent to
the kindergarten connected with these institutions. The sum of $600,-000 has
been already pledged to carry out this magnificent scheme of benevolence.

   Mr. Howard has been twice married. He has two children, both boys, the eldest
of whom, seventeen years of age, is a clerk in the bank. The youngest is four or
five years of age


Additional Comments:
From:

THE
CITY AND COUNTY
OF
SAN DIEGO.
ILLUSTRATED,
AND CONTAINING
BI0GRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF
PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS.

SAN DIEGO, CAL.
LEBERTHON & TAYLOR
1888


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