Person

Charles R. Howard

Quick Facts
Significance:
Kansas & Nebraska Homesteader
Place of Birth:
Texas
Date of Birth:
1846
Place of Death:
Nebraska
Date of Death:
May 8, 1916
Place of Burial:
Valentine, Cherry County, Nebraska
Cemetery Name:
Mount Hope Cemetery

Charles Howard was a two-time homesteader, proving up land in both Smith County, Kansas and Cherry County, Nebraska. 

Charles Howard was born in Texas in 1846, most likely into slavery. He applied for homestead entry #5213 in Smith County Kansas, along the Nebraska-Kansas border. He proved up the land and received Homestead patent #5265 on April 5, 1883 for the for the southwest quarter of section 7 in township 1 south of range 14 west of the sixth principal meridian, Kansas. 

On December 31, 1892, an order of sale was issued out of the Smith County Court by the Clerk for Howard’s homestead land. Charles Howard had mortaged his land for $700 from Francis L. Robbins on October 1, 1886. Howard, who had not paid, was told he was required to pay $912.16 with an interest rate of 10% or it would be sold to the highest bidder. A notice about the property being for sale on February 6, 1893 was posted thirty days earlier. On February 6, Francis Robbins was pronounced the new owner of this property.

Not deterred from his dream of owning land, Howard moved to Cherry County, Nebraska and acquired a Timber Culture claim in 1896. Then on August 6, 1904, Howard filed for another homestead claim, entry #16370 at the Valentine Land Office. This claim was for the northwest quarter of section 30 in township 34 north of range 26 west of the sixth principal meridian, Nebraska. 

For the next 5 years, Howard went to great lengths to prove up his land. He farmed mostly hay for his four horses, and started a garden on 1½-2 acres. He also constructed a frame house, a frame stable, a frame granary, a tubular well, and a fence.  

On December 11, 1909, his neighbors, Edward Sears and Matt Woodson, testified as witnesses to Howard's proof at the Great Falls Land Office. That same day, Howard completed the Final Affidavit Required of Homestead Claimants. His patent, #179923, was later issued on February 23, 1911. 

Sources 

Homestead National Historical Park

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Last updated: September 1, 2021