Howard, William J

Souvenir Castle, 113th Engineers, Camp Shelby Mississippi, August 1918

Lieutenant Colonel William J Howard

Lieutenant Colonel Howard was born in West Bridgewater, Mass; was educated there in public schools and in Howard Seminary. He entered the office of Thomas Keith of Brockton, Mass, consulting engineer and after three years was owner of the business. He was city engineer of Brockton for three years. From 1889 until the outbreak of the war, Colonel Howard was engaged in general engineering work. For a number of years he was employed by Lockwood, Green & Co, Boston, Mass Architects and Mill Engineers, in the capacity of Resident Engineer. He superintended the construction of many large industrial plants, such as the Albany Felt Company of Albany, NY; The Cosmos Cotton Co of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia; The Loccomobile Company of America, and Plymouth Cordage Company, Welland, Ont (Canada).

Lieut. Col Howard has had a long military career. Thirty-five years ago he enlisted as private in the First Regiment Infantry, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, and he served in the military establishment of that State in various capacities of enlisted man and as an officer, being commissioned Captain in June, 1898.

At the outbreak of the present war (WWI) Lieutenant Colonel Howard offered to his country his long engineering and military experience. On June 11, 1917, he was commissioned Major, Engineer Officers' Reserve Corps, and given the big job of constructing Camp Shelby (Mississippi). How well he succeeded in his undertaking is well known to all. Major Howard was commissioned a Lieutenant Colonel August 5, 1917, and was assigned to the 113th Engineers, December 1, 1917.

Spouse is Anna C Howard. Her photograph is in this database.