LB2007.1.113630

LB2007.1.113630

House This was the one time residence of Frank Howard, local manufacturer of the Yankee (spiral) screwdriver, originally developed and patented by Isaac Allard and improved by Mr. Howard. One of the growing industries in Belfast in 1892 was the manufacturing of screwdrivers by F. A. Howard. Many years before the late Isaac Allard invented a screwdriver which was perfected by Mr. Howard. Mr. Howard employed nine to eleven men to produce various priced versions of the original screw driver. F. A. Howard (1830-1903) was a machinist working in Belfast, who with partner Hollis M. A. Poor, operated as The Howard Mfg. Co. from 1865 to 1876 manufacturing an adjustable mitering machine (patented by himself) and a proof press. He began operating under the name of F. A. Howard in 1876. At some point he obtained an interest in Isaac Allard's screwdriver patent and manufactured it. Belfast directory listings show that the phrase "spiral screw drivers" was added to his entry in 1890 even though, based on information included here, he undoubtedly was producing them before that date. In 1895 his son, William Russell Howard entered the firm and from then until 1901 it was known as F.A Howard and Son. Mr. Howard's 1893 house still stands in obviously well maintained condition on Belmont Street in Belfast. Another resident of the house Was Herbert Ellis, prominent Belfast citizen, insurance agent and Rotary President who at age 65 was gunned down with three others on September 9, 1933 by murderer Adrian Jones.