Abraham Howard II - Husband, Father, Fallen Soldier

Johann Gottfried Hauer (John Godfrey Howard) Family Line

Abraham Howard II (1837-1862) Husband, Father, Fallen Soldier

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by Carolyn Ann Howard

This post was updated 01 May 2022

Abraham Howard I was my 3x great-grandfather and the only son of John Godfrey Howard to settle in beautiful Martin County, Indiana. This occurred in or around 1854, when Abraham bought 50 acres along the breathtaking East Fork of White River, near the famous Overlook. According to records, Abraham, who is listed on the 1850 census as a blacksmith, purchased these acres from Samuel Smith for $1,000. Click on photos to enlarge

 

The Overlook at Shoals, Indiana Overlooking East Fork of White River Photo courtesy Marie Hawkins

 
Abraham's third son was Abraham II. He was my 3x granduncle and was about 15 years old when the family journeyed from New York to Shoals. Abraham's life was tragic yet interesting and victorious. He was a laborer, a husband, a father, a son-in-law, and a fallen soldier.

Abraham's brother, Eleazer, was around 17 at the time of their move from New York to Indiana. Although some family members think several different Howard families left New York together at the same time, I have proof that these were the only Howards to leave New York on this particular journey.

Of the children of Abraham I, only Henry stayed in Martin County, from whom I am descended.

Perhaps Abraham II and his older brother, Eleazer, wanted adventure. Maybe they thought a move would mean financial gain. Maybe Abraham was already in love with Eliza Raney. Whatever the reason, when the Raney's wagon train left Martin County, Indiana for Muscatine County, Iowa, Abraham and Eleazer tagged along.

We can only speculate what Iowa held for the two brothers - at least until and unless more information surfaces - but it could have been the opportunity for employment with building the Muscatine and Oskaloosa Railroad. Ground broke on this important railway 08 Feb 1854 by the M&M Railroad Company. It was built at a cost of $2,557,500, which was an average of about $27,000 per mile. [1]

Thursday, 28 Oct 1858 was surely a happy day for Abraham II, as he married Eliza Jane Raney, the niece of Valentine Raney. Eliza's parents had died early in her life and Valentine had taken his niece into his household, adopting her. Eliza was just days away from turning 17.

After the wedding, Eleazar, Abraham and Eliza Jane lived together in the same household. [2]

Another happy celebration occurred as Abraham and Eliza had a son, Abraham Frank III, born 25 Jun 1859.

Unfortunately, this may have been the last of happy days for our friend Abraham. Muscatine County became somewhat of a thoroughfare for those heading to California to find gold. Heading west, moving through Iowa, the gold rushers brought disease, namely cholera. [3]

Eliza Jane contracted rheumatic fever after the birth of her son.  While this may or may not have anything to do with people traipsing through Muscatine County or whether it had to do with recent childbirth or another cause, Eliza Jane Raney Howard died 15 Jan 1860. She is buried in Harker Cemetery, Muscatine County, Iowa. Her Find-A-Grave memorial opens in a new window.

What happened to a man in 1860 who lost his wife, has to work to make ends meet and has no childcare? He must find help. Many times, that help came in the form of a new wife. For Abraham, however, the answer was to return to Martin County. Eleazar came back with him, along with his infant son. On the 1860 census, Abraham II, Frank, and Eleazar are living with their parents, Abraham I and Mary Ann. How happy Mary Ann was to have her sons back home, and she willingly took care of her grandson.

Abraham II enlisted in the United States Army, mustered in 07 Jun 1861 in Terre Haute, Indiana, Regiment 14, Company A. From there, he marched to Indianapolis and from there to Western Virginia. On 03 Oct 1861, his first battle of the Civil War was fought at Pocahontas County in what is now West Virginia at the Battle of Greenbrier River. Five were killed and eleven wounded.

Abraham was promoted to corporal 07 October 1861. In April 1862, he became ill and was in the hospital at Strasburg, Virginia for a few days. Between 12 May and 23 Jun 1862, his company marched 339 miles. Most of the men were without shoes and short of rations.

In September, the 14th Indiana took part in the Maryland Campaign, which included the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. According to Wikipedia, Colonel William Harlow's report stated that Abraham's regiment fought for four hours under heavy fire within 60 yards of Confederate forces. Abraham took a mortal wound in the thigh and died on the battlefield. His death likely was extremely painful, and yes, I imagine he cried for his mother. Abraham died a hero.

Battle of Antietam
Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain

The Union won the Battle of Antietam, although both sides experienced heavy casualties.

Abraham's Find-A-Grave opens in a new window.

It is good that Abraham and Eleazar went back to Martin County after the death of Abraham's wife, Eliza. Their son, Abraham Frank, found a formidable guardian in his grandmother, Mary Ann. After Abraham's death, she adopted and raised Frank.

Abraham's brother Eleazar eventually moved to Michigan and, in March 1865, enlisted in Michigan's 24th Regiment, Company H. Eleazar was in the military for only a few months when he suffered a disabling hip injury. He would continue to have debilitating pain in his hip the rest of his life.

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1. Parker, Nathan H. Iowa as It Is in 1855. Keen and Lee, 1855.
2. Records from The National Archives
3. Richman, Irving B. History of Muscatine County, Iowa.  The S.J. Clark Publishing Co., 1911.

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