Edgar Howard, 1858-1951 [RG3297.AM]

HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG3297.AM: Edgar Howard, 1858-1951

Papers: 1893-1951
Papillion, Neb.; Columbus, Neb.: Congressman, newspaper editor
Size: 0.5 cu. ft., 1 box

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Edgar Howard was born September 16, 1858, at Osceola, Iowa. His parents were James D. and Martha Jane Howard. Howard attended both public and private schools. He entered the Iowa College of Law, but did not graduate. Prior to coming to Nebraska, Edgar worked on the Glenwood, Iowa Opinion, and was city editor for the Dayton, Ohio, Daily Herald. In 1883, Howard purchased the Papillion Times in Papillion, Nebraska. On November 11, 1884, Edgar married Elizabeth P. Burtch. They had three children, Findley, Mary, and Helen.

Howard remained publisher of the Papillion Times until 1887 when he went to Benkelman, Nebraska, where he established the Dundy Democrat. This was the first paper published between McCook, Nebraska and Denver, Colorado that was pro-Democrat. In 1890, he returned to Papillion and repurchased the Papillion Times. While at Papillion, he was elected to the Nebraska House of Representatives from Sarpy County. In 1885, Edgar was admitted to practice law in Nebraska. In 1896, he resigned his seat in the legislature to become probate judge of Sarpy County. He remained the editor of the Papillion Times until 1900 when he moved to Columbus, Nebraska and purchased The Telegram.

Howard served as private secretary to William Jennings Bryan from 1891 to 1892. He also served as Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1922 to 1935. Edgar Howard died on July 19, 1951 at his home in Columbus, Nebraska.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of one box of papers relating to Edgar Howard’s career as a journalist and politician. The collection is divided into four series: 1) General Correspondence, 2) Writings, 3) Biographical Information, and 4) Miscellaneous.

Series 1 contains correspondence from William Jennings Bryan concerning J. Sterling Morton and the need for support from the Populists during the 1896 election. Correspondence from Franklin D. Roosevelt relates to the need for New York to ratify the Lame Duck amendment in 1932 and to strengthen the Democratic Party. Additional correspondence from James Farley relates to Roosevelt as a presidential candidate in 1932.

Series 2 consists of one folder of articles, speeches and poems written by Edgar Howard, most of which are published newspaper clippings.

Series 3 consists of three folders of biographical information relating to Edgar Howard. Of special interest is a scrapbook relating to Howard’s 90th birthday celebration and includes newspaper articles, correspondence and tributes from various prominent business and political leaders from around the state.

Series 4 is comprised of two scrapbooks containing various newspaper clippings. The first scrapbook contains clippings relating to politics as well as religion. The second scrapbook contains obituaries and biographical information relating to various prominent Nebraskans.

Note: See the photo component [RG3297.PH] for related photographs. See also the NSHS Library catalog and the Nebraska History index for published materials relating to Edgar Howard.

INVENTORY

Series 1 – General Correspondence

Box 1
Folder

  1. 1893-1935
  2. 1940-1951

Series 2 – Writings

  1. Articles and poems

Series 3 – Biographical Information

  1. Articles and tributes
  2. Certificate, Toast Master Laureate, April 3, 1913 (see OB019)
  3. Scrapbook, 90th birthday celebration, September 16, 1948 (see oversize)

Series 4 – Miscellaneous

  1. Scrapbook, political and religious clippings
  2. Scrapbook, obituaries of prominent Nebraskans

Subject headings:

Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925
Democratic Party
Farley, James Aloysius, 1888-
Howard, Edgar, 1858-1951
Journalism — Nebraska
Journalists — Nebraska
Lame Duck Amendment
Morton, Julius Sterling, 1832-1902
Nebraska — Legislature
Nebraska — Politics and Government
Populist Party
Publishers and Publishing — Nebraska

04-20-2005 TMM/tmm (revised)

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