Frederick Howard (industrialist)

Frederick Howard was born on 28 September 1827, the youngest son of John and Elizabeth Howard of Caldwell House, Bedford.^[2] His parents were nonconformists and he was baptized at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Bedford on 25 October 1827.^[3] He was educated at Bedford Modern School and Bedford School (1839–41).^[2]

Howard succeeded his father in his agricultural machinery business in 1851.^[2] In partnership with his brother, James Howard, MP, he built the Britannia Iron Works at Bedford in 1857 and established J & F Howard Ironfounders.^[2] Howard was knighted in 1895.^[2] He was made Deputy Lieutenant of Bedfordshire and a JP for Bedford.^[2]

In 1851, Frederick Howard married Elizabeth Street; they had at least four daughters and one son, living at 17 Cardington Road in Bedford.^[3] Elizabeth Howard predeceased her husband and Howard died in Bedford on 6 January 1915.^[3][4] He is buried at Cardington, Bedfordshire.^[3]