Howard was born and raised in Beaver, Utah. He was nick- named Handsome Hap because of his good looks and he also was a great tease. Not much else is known of his upbringing. He later moved to Circleville and stayed at his half brothers home John Hyrum Fullmer. He worked for John on his farm as well as his sister Rachel's husband Barlow Ferguson who lived in Salt Lake City but raised sheep outside Circleville.

When he was 27 years old he was working with his brother Charlie (William Tanner)and others dipping and marking sheep about 5 miles south east of Circleville. They had finished one herd and were waiting for another when they decided to play cards. One of the players named Wade "Tex" Nicholas who always carried a pistol was losing in the game. Tex owed Hap some money and Hap asked for the money and also Hap who liked to tease commented that Tex seemed to be the all time loser. Then Tex pulled his gun and a short scuffle insued and then there was a shot and Howard was mortally wounded in the stomach.

John Fullmer who was the constable of Circleville and later a U.S. Marshal came with one of his brothers. They took Howard back to Johns home and sent someone to get a doctor up in Marysvale. They also took Tex back to John's house and chained him to a post on his front porch. Unfortunately the doctor was not in Marysvale. They laid Howard in the parlor were he remained for two days waiting for the doctor to come. When the doctor finally got there it was too late and couldn't do much for him. His mother Rachel was in Salt Lake City at the time and came down and was able to see him before he died. People would walk past Tex who was chained up to the porch and he got to hear all the crying and mourning.

John would unchain Tex three times a day to take him in to see Howard to pay his respects before he fed him. There was no jail there at the time. After they buried Hap they took Tex over to Beaver, UT to stand trial.

Barlow Ferguson, a lawyer and Howards brother in law came down from Salt Lake City to prosecute Tex along with the U.S. Attorney. On 9/24/1892 Tex was found guilty and sentenced to serve 25 years in the Utah Territorial Penitentiary.

A year later Tex appealed the verdict and was let go on a technicality. The clerk in Beaver where the original trial took place forgot to record the verdict. Nothing was ever heard from Tex again.

Howard was buried in the Circleville cemetery and later his mother Rachel and half brother John were buried next to him.