The Search for the Lost Ancestors

The Simes Cemetery is in Section 13, on private property.  The cemetery contains the following individuals:

HOWARD

This town, so named for General Howard, of Rockville, and also named West Port, is located in Liberty Township, a mile from the Wabash River and adjacent to the Wabash and Erie Canal. That part of the town named West Port consists of sixty-four platted lots, and an equal area of small parcels of land in the southwest corner of section 18, range 8. That part known as Howard is composed of fifty-six lots in the southeast corner of section 13, range 9. The range line separates the two parts, while Market Street extends east and west through the entire town. The Burtons entered the land, and in 1827 laid out the town, built a house, and opened a store. Residence and business houses were built rapidly. James H. Beadle, Harlan Harvey, and other dealers shipped grain to New Orleans on flatboats. After the canal was opened, business increased greatly. Two large dry goods stores, two grain warehouses, and a number of shops were actively engaged in business. The decline of the town began with the closing of the canal. A few of the old houses are still standing on Sand Ridge, but the town is almost extinct. On the long ridge of sandy soil north and south from Howard lies the superior watermelon field of Parke County.