Charles K. Howard Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1328-1329 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
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	A photo of C. K. Howard faces page 1328.


	CHARLES K. HOWARD.—The subject of this writing is a typical 
western stockman, pioneer and developer, and has a record of energy, 
endurance, readiness for emergencies and courage in the face of danger 
that is inspiring in its consistency and in the success which it has 
achieved. He was born at Red Hook on the Hudson, New York, on May 17, 
1836, and received his education there and in central New York, 
finishing at Hamilton College, remaining in the state until he was 
twenty years old. In 1856 he came west to Sioux City, Iowa, then a 
little town of a few rude shacks. For a time he followed steamboating on 
the Missouri then in 1857 came to Pierre in this state. where he was 
employed by the American Fur Company. The nearest railroad station at 
that time was St. Joseph, Missouri, and the life of the trader was 
remote from civilization and full of hazard. After two years of service 
with the fur company he again engaged in steamboating on the Missouri 
for four or five years until 1863. He then went to Sioux Falls, a 
military post known as Fort Dakota, as post trader, and during the next 
three years was profitably employed there in that capacity. In 1866 the 
post was abandoned by the government and thrown open to settlement, and 
as the section was rapidly filling with settlers he contim1ed his 
mercantile operations there and also had a stage line and was engaged in 
the cattle industry. He built the first frame house in this part of the 
country, and remained in business there eighteen years, employing on an 
average fifty men in connection with his numerous interests. He was also 
active and prominent in public local affairs, serving as county 
treasurer of Minnehaha county for fourteen years, being during the whole 
of this period and afterwards the leader of the Democratic party in his 
vicinity, although he was usually elected on an independent ticket, as 
party lines were not closely drawn. For forty years, however, he supported 
the Democratic party, leaving it only in 1896 when his convictions were 
strong against the platform on which Mr. Bryan was nominated for the 
presidency. In 1883 he sold all his interests at Sioux Falls except his 
cattle, which numbered some fifteen hundred head. These he brought to the 
Cheyenne river at what is now Smithville, fifty miles northeast of Rapid 
City, where he took up the ranch which has since been his home and erected 
a dwelling on it. He stocked it with large herds of cattle, bought here and 
in Texas, and entered upon the open range cattle business on an extensive 
scale. From that time on he has been the largest individual cattle owner in 
this part of the country, having usually about ten thousand head, and in 
managing his business he has been eminently successful. His residence is 
known far and wide as the finest and most modern ranch dwelling within a 
very extensive range of country. It is equipped with electric lights and 
hot and cold water furnished by his own plants, elegantly furnished 
throughout and supplied with every desirable modern improvement. The 
operations of the ranch are conducted on a scale of magnitude and by 
means of the most approved machinery, which is driven by steam power. 
Mr. Howard has personal control of all phases of his business and when 
at work among his men seems to be the youngest of the band. He is a 
whole-souled and genial man, full of business, but at the same time full 
of good fellowship, and is known through all the northwest, numbering 
among his friends many of the most noted men of the day. He was the 
first man to locate here and engage in the range cattle industry, and 
foreseeing that the range would be gradually diminished, he has prepared 
himself for the change, acquiring about four thousand acres of good land 
for his purposes. He is in every sense a true pioneer. He camped where 
Yankton has since grown to consequence, built the first brick house at 
Sioux City, the first frame house at Sioux Falls, and trailed from Sioux 
City to Fort Randall when there was not a house on the plains between 
the two places. In his business he has always been foremost and 
recognized as a leader. He is now president of the Western South Dakota 
Stockgrowers' Association. 

	In September, 1866, Mr. Howard was married, at Sioux City, to Miss 
Jeannette Ricketts, a native of Washington, D. C. One child blessed 
their union, Mary J., now Mrs. Pender. Mrs. Howard died in May, 1868, 
and on February 5. 1890, Mr. Howard married, at Eureka Springs, 
Arkansas, Miss Catherine Franklin, a native of Pennsylvania.