My Genealogy Hound

Capt. J. B. Howison, farmer, stock raiser and banker of Gallatin, was born in Prince William County, Va., and is the son of James and Amanda M. (Farrow) Howison. The father was born in Prince William County, Va., in 1804, and was of Scotch descent. He always resided in the same county in which he was born, and cultivated the soil. He died in 1874. The mother was born in 1815 and was of English descent. She died in 1867. Our subject received his academic education in his native county and his collegiate education at Alleghany College, West Virginia, where he was in attendance at the breaking out of the war. He at once abandoned his studies and enlisted in Company B, Third Regiment, Wise’s legion (Confederate Army), and afterward joined the Sixtieth Regiment, Virginia Infantry, and was elected first lieutenant. At the end of the first year he joined the Sixth Regiment Virginia Cavalry, and was elected to the same office. The last eighteen months of the war he commanded the squadron of two companies, D and H, being ranked as captain. He fought at Brandy Station, second Manassas, Gettysburg, Spottsylvania C. H., Culpeper C. H., Rappahannock, Slaughter Mountain, Cedar Creek and numerous severe skirmishes. January 11 he was wounded by a shell in the shoulder, which disabled him for one year. When seventeen years of age he commenced teaching school and taught one year. In 1866 he left his native State and came to Sumner County, where he resumed teaching. May 1, 1872, he married Miss Alice M. Fitzgerald, a native of Memphis, Tenn., born in 1852. They have five children: Eunice, Henry F., Emma, James Allen and Charles L. In July, the same year of his marriage, he went in partnership with his father-in-law, H. Fitzgerald, in the large cotton-mill of Gallatin. In September the mill burned down with a loss of $25,000 to Mr. Howison and leaving him $15,000 in debt. At the time of the fire Mr. Howison was in Alabama engaged in the lumber business, and it was there he met with marked success, making $25,000 the first year. In 1881 he returned to Gallatin and purchased 275 acres. In June, 1884, when the Farmers’ & Traders’ Bank was organized Capt. Howison was elected president, which position he now holds. He is also a member of the new livery and feed stable of Gallatin, the firm being known as Pierce, Howison & Burford. Mr. Howison is also engaged in raising thoroughbred mares, running and trotting stock, and is speculating in buying and selling mules and horses. Since 1881 he has been engaged in merchandising in Gallatin, handling farming implements, hardware and groceries. Mr. Howison is a man of marked business ability and is upright and honest in all his dealings. He is a Democrat, a K. of P. and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is school commissioner of the Twenty-second Division.