One of the early merchants of Palestine.
Born in Wilkes co, N.C.
Died in Palestine, Texas.
Married Cornelia Ann Cox.

Children; James, Emma, Selia A., Thomas S.,
George Robert Howard.

COL. GEORGE R. HOWARD
In 1848 a traveler riding a horse arrived in Palestine
from Tennessee. This was Col. George R.
Howard destined for many years to leave his impress
on the home he chose in the new state.
He returned to Tennessee for a time, but Texas
had made its lasting impression and the year 1849
found him back in Palestine, this time to stay. In
partnership with Mr. Inglehart also from Tennessee,
Col. Howard engaged in the mercantile business under
the firm name of Howard and Inglehart.
Subsequently, the firm name became Howard
and Mills~ Mr. Charles Mills having succeeded Inglehart.
The war coming on, the firm of Howard and
Mills was dissolved. Mr. Mills enlisting in the Confederate
army-to fall a victim to disease while in
the service. Col. Howard, upon enlistment, was made
a commissioned officer in the Confederate army.
After the conflict ended, Col. Howard returned
to Palestine and engaged in farming. But business
was his field. He was so gifted as a merchant that,
naturally, his tastes leaned to that calling. He again
entered the mercantile business this time with Col.
H. C. Swanson and Jim Langston as partners, the
firm name being, Howard, Swanson and Langston.
The location of their business was on the northwest
corner of the public square in Palestine.
After a few years Col. Howard withdrew from
the firm and established a business which he conducted
in his own name for many years. Later, he
took. in his oldest son, the name of the firm being
G. R. and B. W. Howard.
HOWARD HOME BUILT 1851
Col. Howard was too valuable to his community
to be allowed to remain quietly behind his counter
selling goods. He was called upon, to fill several
important offices, in every case serving with credit
to himself and the general satisfaction, of his constituents.
He was Representative to the State Legislature,
County Clerk. District Clerk, County Treasurer,
and Mayor of Palestine.
His civic activities were many and varied: he
planted the first of the cedar trees which so beautify
the old cemetery; served as trustee of the Palestine
Female College, the leading school of Palestine at
that time; was a devout member of the M. E.
Church, South, actively participating in the Sunday
School work.
Before leaving the old Tennessee home he had
served as Colonel of Tennessee State Militia. He
had also been inducted into office in Tennessee as a
county official upon coming of age.
Col. Howard was born Jan. 6, 1818 in Wilkes
County, N. C., his family moved to Tennessee when
he was seven years old. His death occurred December
28, 1900.
In November 1850, Col. G. R. Howard was
married to Cornelia Ann Cox (born in Henry
County, Ga., March 28, 1829) whose parents,
Moses and Talitha (Crawford) Cox, had moved
from Alabama to Palestine. They were the parents
of eleven children, six of whom grew to maturity.
Three now survive: Dr. George R. Howard, Asst.
Supt. of the Austin State Hospital Austin, Texas.
Daughters;
Mrs. John R. Hearne and Mrs. F. P. Richardson
both of Palestine, Texas. Col. Howard's old home,
one of the oldest in Palestine (built in 1851) is
still standing, in a fine state of preservation. It is
now occupied by the widow of his youngest son,
Thomas Swanson Howard.

As of this date; 2011 it is The Howard House Museum and has been for many many years. NB

Taken from; A Centennial History of Anderson County Texas
by; Pauline Buck Hohes.
1936