Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Howard, Burton J. 1950
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Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net June 20, 2011, 8:00 pm

The Ionia Sentinel-Standard, Monday, February 6, 1950

Word has been received here of the death on February 4, of Burton J. Howard, 
77 of Washington, D.C., formerly of Ionia.  

He was born in Berlin township Sept. 17, 1872, son of the late William H. and 
Helen L. Howard.  He was graduated from Ionia high school in 1892 and from the 
University of Michigan 1897.  In June 1899 he was married to Miss Gertrude L. 
Peck, of Hubbardston.  She died in April, 1948.

About the time of his marriage he was a science teacher at Pontiac high school 
but in 1900 he returned to the University of Michigan to do graduate work 
prior to his entering government work in Washington, D.C. in 1901.

While in Washington, he pioneered the microscopic analysis of foods and drugs 
for adulterations, spoilage and filth under the direction of Dr. H. W. Wiley 
of the bureau of chemistry.  His work with the compound microscope and 
microphotography was a potent factor in convincing the food consumer and the 
Congress that a pure food law was urgently needed.  Such a law was passed in 
1906 and Mr. Howard was made chief of the micro-chemical laboratory in the 
bureau of chemistry.

In 1927 under the organization of the federal food and drug administration, he 
was made chief of the micro-analytical division.  During the 25 years, 1915—
1940, Howard traveled extensively spending much time in the food producing and 
processing centers of the United States assisting operators of food processing 
plants and often insisting on the introduction of practices leading to better 
and more sanitary foods and the eliminations of sources of spoilage and 
impurities.  He was recognized as an expert in this line and his methods have 
been widely used by enforcing officials and leaders in the food processing 
industries both in the United States and abroad.

He retired in 1942 after 41 years of service in this line of work.  Howard was 
a member and steward of the Hamline Methodist Episcopal church in Washington.

Surviving are a daughter, Bertha, of Washington, D.C.; three sisters, Mrs. 
Clara M. Harper of Middleville, Miss Janetta E. Howard of Ionia and Miss 
Harriett E. Howard of Evanston, Ill.; and two brothers, Perry E. of Joliet, 
Ill. and Fred B. of Ionia.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 11 a.m. and interment will be in 
the family lot in Rock Creek cemetery in Washington.


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