[2] His parents were nonconformists and he was baptized at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Bedford on 25 October 1827.

[2] Howard succeeded his father in his agricultural machinery business in 1851.

[2] In partnership with his brother, James Howard, MP, he built the Britannia Iron Works at Bedford in 1857 and established J & F Howard Ironfounders.

[2] He was made Deputy Lieutenant of Bedfordshire and a JP for Bedford.

[2] In 1851, Frederick Howard married Elizabeth Street; they had at least four daughters and one son, living at 17 Cardington Road in Bedford.