The name “Howard” was selected for our lodge after much deliberation, so reads the early minutes. Whether or not other names were considered is unknown, The name comes from John Howard, an Englishman. He was born Sept. 2 1726, probably in London into a wealthy Quarter Family. A monument erected in his memory stands in St. Paul's cathedral in London. A High Sheriff in Bedfordshire in 1773, he became interested in the conditions of prisoners. As a result Parliament in 1774 established minimum standards for the health care and cleanliness in prisons. He wrote in 1777, “The State of Prisons in England and Wales”.

In 1779 Parliament established two penitentiary houses where prisoners were not ill treated but rather reformed by work and religious instruction. This benefactor was well known in England and throughout the world for his benevolence, friendship, morality, and brotherly love. During his life he was dedicated to the building of character and improving the condition of his fellow man and all parts of Europe. He always remembered the forgotten, attended the neglected, and visited the forsaken.

From the written word of Worshipful Samuel D. Kelley 1916-17. who compiled the history of the 50th anniversary: Beneficence pure in its intentions, wise and comprehensive in his plans, and active and successful in execution, must ever stand at the head of those qualities which elevate the human character. By cultivating that benevolence by which John Howard was a standard. The spirit of emulation may be excited to imitate his virtues in our different spheres of life”.

John Howard spent the last years of his life studying contagious diseases. In 1789 he wrote a book on the control of plague. He died of camp fever during an epidemic in Kherson, Russia on January 20, 1790.