Bovard, Howard S.

Howard S. Bovard.—Holding a noteworthy position among the well-known and valued citizens of South Sharon is Howard S. Bovard, who is actively identified with its mercantile prosperity as a member, and the secretary, of the South Sharon Furniture and Supply Company. He was born, February 23, 1862, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, which was also the birthplace of his father, the late Robert Bovard.

Coming from French ancestry, Robert Bovard spent his entire life in Allegheny: He was a man of much force of character, strictly honest and upright in his dealings, and deeply religious. For many years he was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and was one of the very few men that absolutely refused to work Sundays. At one time, for this reason, he was discharged from the service, but a railway official higher in authority than the one that dismissed him heard of the matter, sent for Mr. Bovard, and re-engaged him, with the understanding that he should not be asked to labor on the Sabbath day. He married Mary- Jane McCracken, who was born in Ireland, and with two of her sisters emigrated to this country. She died in Allegheny at the age of sixty-three.

Completing his early education in the Allegheny high school, Howard S. Bovard began his mercantile career when in his sixteenth year, and for twenty-two years was employed in a carpet house in his native city. Coming to Mercer county on January 20, 1902, he purchased an interest in the South Sharon Furniture and Supply Company, which was incorporated in November, 1901, and Mr. Bovard has served, as its manager ever since, and since that time has been secretary of the company. This firm has met with eminent success in its operations, and in order to meet the demands of its large and constantly increasing trade erected, in 1907, a fine brick building, one hundred and forty-five feet by fifty feet, containing two stories and a basement. It has the distinction of being the first established business of the kind, and is the largest complete furniture house in Mercer county, and was the pioneer in regard to establishing its own electric light and power plant.

On October 10, 1894, Mr. Bovard married Elizabeth M. Shoop, of Freeport, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of two children, namely: John R. and Mary. Politically Mr. Bovard is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, and religiously both he and his wife are active members of the United Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder.