[2] The elder Howard was a grocer and hotelier in Detroit, but the 1834 cholera outbreak convinced him to move his family to Port Huron.

Once in Port Huron, John Howarn entered the lumber trade and eventually built three sawmills in the city.

[3] In 1854,[4] Henry Howard joined his father's business, and the two were partners for 26 years until John Howard's retirement in 1877,[4] after which Henry continued the business alone.

[2] In 1856, Howard married Elizabeth Experience Spalding;[3] the couple had six children, only two of which outlived them:[2] Emily Louise and John Henry.

[2][5] He ran for state senate, but was defeated by William M. Cline.