Master Surname Index



Oliver Otis Howard

Ancestry of Maj. Gen.
Oliver Otis Howard

Medal of Honor Recipient
U. S. Civil War

    Oliver Otis Howard

    View famous kin of Oliver Otis Howard

    • 1st Generation
    • Ahnentafel No:
    • 1 
    • Birth Date:
    • 8 Nov 1830 
    • Birth Location:
    • Leeds, Androscoggin, Maine 
    • Christening Date:
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    • Christening Location:
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    • Death Date:
    • 26 Oct 1909 
    • Death Location:
    • Burlington, Chittenden, Vermont 
    • Burial Date:
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    • Burial Location:
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    • Notes: 

    • Civil War veteran - Union Army

      Rank of Major General

      Medal of Honor recipient

      Major General Oliver Otis Howard was a distinguished American soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor, known for his remarkable contributions during the American Civil War. Born on November 8, 1830, in Leeds, Maine, Howard exhibited great determination and leadership throughout his military career.

      Howard graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1854 and quickly established himself as a capable officer. During the Civil War, he served in numerous campaigns and battles, where his courage and strategic brilliance earned him a reputation as a reliable commander. It was during the Battle of Fair Oaks (aka Battle of Seven Pines) in 1862 that Howard's exceptional valor and leadership led to his Medal of Honor recognition. He fearlessly led his brigade against Confederate forces, rallying his troops and successfully repelling the enemy's advances. In recognition of his dedication and bravery, he was promoted to the rank of major general in November 1862.

      As the war progressed, Howard continued to play a pivotal role. He served as a division commander in several major engagements, including the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, where his leadership proved instrumental in defending the Union line.

      Following the Civil War, Howard continued his service in the United States Army, focusing on the Reconstruction efforts in the South. He advocated for the rights of newly freed slaves, helping to establish the Freedmen's Bureau, an organization dedicated to assisting and protecting African Americans in the post-war era.

      Howard's commitment to equality and justice extended beyond his military service. He was instrumental in the founding of Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., and served as its president from 1867 to 1873.

      Throughout his life, Major General Oliver Otis Howard demonstrated unwavering bravery, leadership, and a deep sense of duty. His Medal of Honor, earned on the battlefield, serves as a symbol of his exceptional contributions to the Union cause and his unwavering commitment to equality and justice in the United States.

  • Marriages for Oliver Otis Howard

    • Spouse:
    • Elisabeth Ann Waite
    • Marriage Date:
    • 14 Feb 1855
    • Marriage Location:
    • Portland, Cumberland, Maine

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