Joseph Howard - Biography
Friday, May 26, 1876
Kenney Weekly Register
Kenney, Illinois
AN EARLY SETTLER OF DEWITT COUNTY—JOSEPH HOWARD.
JOSEPH HOWARD was born in Mason county, Kentucky, August 27th, 1797. His parents moved from there to Augusta, Bracken county, Kentucky, where he lived until 1826, at which time he married and moved to Brown county, Ohio, where he bought a farm and lived there ten years. During this time he embraced religion, which has been his hope and consolation to this day. In 1836 he came to Illinois, settling where he now lives, in Tunbridge township. At that time their “neighborhood” extended from Waynesville to Pulaski, Decatur and Blooming Grove (now Bloomington). The settlers were all friendly and hospitable and peace and happiness reigned throughout the whole settlement. A few weeks after he got to Illinois there was a sudden change in the weather. The snow was about a foot deep and it commenced raining in the morning, then came a sudden and terrible freeze. The water in the creeks and ponds was frozen in waves, and for six weeks no horse crossed Salt Creek. Mr. Howard had eleven in his family, and during this time packed all his meal on his back from the horse-mill at Jas. Barnett’s, a distance of four miles. For several years the only trouble the settlers had was in procuring breadstuffs. Game was plenty, and they made their own clothing from wool and flax; there was not a calico dress in the settlement. In the summer all went barefoot, and Mr. Howard says his feet became so hardened that he could run across a stubble field without feeling it. Everything they bought was high, and everything they sold was very low. Corn brought 5¢ per bushel, and salt cost $8 per barrel. Mr. Howard has lived to see Tunbridge township emerge from a wilderness into beautiful and fruitful farms, and within sight from his door lies a thriving town. For the past four months Mr. Howard has been confined to his bed by sickness, but he maintains a happy and cheerful disposition. We spent a pleasant hour with him last week, during which he gave us the material for this sketch.
(The biography was published as part of the national centennial celebration. A copy of the newspaper was furnished by Phyllis Lynch.)
Submitted by Lois Fullington