Herbert Linn Howard Biography


	This biography appears on pages 570-573 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				HERBERT LINN HOWARD. 

	Herbert Linn Howard, mayor of Lead, is giving to the 
administration of the affairs of the municipality the same undivided 
attention and careful consideration that a business man gives to the 
management of his private interests. He devotes his entire time to his 
official duties and has succeeded in introducing a number of 
improvements and reforms. He was elected mayor at the time the 
commission form of government was introduced in Lead and was reelected 
under the new government for a term of five years. 

	Mr. Howard was born in Clinton, Illinois, on the 29th of October, 
1867, a son of William R. and Ellen (Short) Howard. The father, who was 
born in Kentucky, was a farmer by occupation and in 1836 removed to 
Illinois, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred 
in 1907. He was prominent in his locality and noted for his unswerving 
integrity and scrupulous honesty. He occupied many positions of trust 
and his demise was deeply regretted. His wife passed away many years 
ago. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Joseph Howard, a 
native of Kentucky and a man of influence in his community. He 
eventually removed to central Illinois and was well known there in 
political and military circles. 

	Herbert L. Howard was reared and educated in Clinton, Illinois, 
and upon starting out in life for himself was employed for a number of 
years in railroad work. He later entered the commercial world as a 
traveling salesman, being so employed in various parts of the United 
States. In 1891 he made his way to Lead and became the traveling 
representative of a local concern. In 1910 he was elected mayor for a 
term of two years, and in 1912, after the city adopted the commission 
form of government, he was reelected mayor for a term of five years, 
being the present incumbent in that office. Under the commission form 
of government Lead has shown a marked improvement in health conditions 
and now has practically an ideal building code. It also has an 
unusually fine engineering department and the fire department is the 
best in the state. The achievements of the present administration are 
many and reflect great credit upon Mr. Howard. 

	In 1891 he was married to Miss Alice Atherton, of Jacksonville, 
Illinois. In his political belief he is a progressive republican and 
for many years he has been identified with the republican party in 
county and state polities and held various appointive positions in city 
and state government. He is a member of the South Dakota Panama-Pacific 
Exposition commission and has been active in the work of securing an 
adequate representation of the state at the exposition in San 
Francisco. Fraternally he belongs to Golden Star Lodge, No. 9, A. F. & 
A. M.; Golden Belt Chapter, No. 35, R. A. M.; and Lead Commandery, No. 
18, K. T., all of Lead; Black Hills Council, No. 1, R. & S. M.; Naja 
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Deadwood; and the Modern Woodmen of 
America. His interest in the material upbuilding of the city is evident 
from his membership in the Commercial Club, with whose spirit and aims 
he is thoroughly in harmony. He was formerly a member of the Illinois 
National  Guard and is now a member of the South Dakota National Guard, 
in which he holds the rank of captain. His religious faith is indicated 
by his membership in the Methodist church and he is serving on its 
board of trustees. He has always been deeply interested in everything 
that pertains to the educational system of the city and has championed 
all proposed improvements in the public schools. His recreations are 
hunting and fishing, and he finds therein the strength of body and 
vigor of mind that enable him to perform more easily and more 
efficiently the many duties devolving upon him as chief executive of 
the municipality.