Photo of James Daniel and Catherine Elisabeth Howard

Born in Ohio, James Daniel was a farmer by trade. The 1870 census from Huntington Twp. Brown Co., Ohio confirms this. In this census, James has personal property of $200.00, and Catherine is listed as being born in Kentucky. James and Catherine were members of the Enon Church in Sprigg Twp., Adams Co., Ohio.

In the "History of Brown Co., Ohio", published in 1883 by W. H. Beers and Co., page # 513, James is listed as serving in the Union Army during the Civil War. Although this reference does not list him under his regiment, the 175th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, further confirmation is made in the "Official Roster of Ohio Soldiers in the War of the Great Rebellion", page # 514. It is in this reference that it details his military record and about his capture on November 24, 1864, while in action at bridge # 16 of the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad. Further research is needed in finding proof of which prison camp he was sent to. There are listings of some of the captured that day as having died in various prisons. Listed is Cahaba Alabama, Meridian Mississippi, and Andersonville Georgia. It is in Andersonville Prison that family oral history says he went to. His wartime photo is believed to have been taken soon after his release. This photo was taken by a photographer from Jacksonville Florida, and has an army camp backdrop behind him. In the picture he has only the uniform clothes on, badly ripped and torn, and no weapons or belts. After the war, he returned to his family farm.

In 1872 he was one of the heirs of his father's estate. It is unknown if James worked outside his farm. Notes of Chester Paul Howard Sr. indicate that on Ohio State Route 125 in Adams Co., there is a Methodist Church near Cedar Mills. From information that Chester Sr. had received from Edra Lauderback, (Louderback), James cut the stone and laid the foundation of this church. It is unknown if this was a profession or a community service project.

James Daniel and Catherine Elisabeth are buried in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Lodge # 570 of West Union, Adams Co., Ohio, Lot 204. Upon their stone is the gates of heaven and the saying," Come ye blessed". Also inscribed is his regiment, "175th O.V.I." A Veteran's Civil War Star marks his grave. Buried beside them are Mary Alice (Howard) Huff, 1861-1943, and an unmarked grave. It is possible that William Serman Howard is buried in this grave. Family records state he is also buried at this cemetery.

We now have confirmation that James Daniel was taken to Andersonville Prison upon his capture. This was confirmed at a new Prisoner Lookup Site sponsored by Macon County, Georgia, Chamber Of Commerce & Development Authority. It list James as being exchanged April 15, 1865.

Photo of James Daniel Howard after his release from Andersonville Prison