Born on April 11, 1842, in St. Louis (some sources state Cincinnati, Ohio), James Flintham How was likely working for his father, John How, in the family hide and leather business in 1860. He enlisted as a private in Company K, 3rd U.S. Reserve Corps in St. Louis on May 8, 1861, participated in the capture of Camp Jackson, and was discharged on July 8, 1861.

Commissioned a second lieutenant in Company B, 7th Missouri Infantry in June 1861, How served with his company and on detached duty on the staff of General David S. Stanley. Promoted to first lieutenant of Company C in March 1862, he resigned on September 24, 1862, to accept promotion as major of the 27th Missouri Infantry. During his time with the 7th Missouri, the regiment saw service in Missouri and western Tennessee.

Commissioned major of the 27th in November 1862, How was promoted to lieutenant colonel in May 1864, and detached to serve on the staff of Major General Francis P. Blair, Jr. The 27th Missouri participated in the Vicksburg Campaign, the fighting at Chattanooga in the fall of 1863, and in the Atlanta Campaign.

How resigned from the army in July 1864, explaining that “private interests neglected during more than three years that I have spent in the Army require my personal attention,” and the fact that his regiment numbered only about 200 men and was soon to be reduced by half due to the expiration of enlistments, so that one field officer could be “readily dispensed with.”

He married Eliza Ann Eads, the daughter of St. Louis engineer and inventor James B. Eads, in 1867. In 1869, How entered the railroad industry and held positions in several railroads, finally serving as vice-president and general secretary of the Wabash Railroad. How died of Bright’s disease on July 9, 1896, and is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.

Carte-de-Visite by unknown photographer.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31739