into her accustomed place. The fact that Mrs. Howard went to church is significant, because it indicates the acceptance of this black businesswoman in an important community institution. She was presented to the church for baptism by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Prosch. Charles Prosch was a prominent newspaper publisher and printer in the area. Their sponsorship reflected her standing. Rebecca Howard was also generous to the community of Olympia. As an astute businesswoman, she recognized the importance of a railroad to the growth of her community. In 1871, in the competition for the western terminus of the Northern Pacific Railway, she joined with other property owners in supporting the effort. She donated 80 acres to the terminus site. The local railroad committee used her donation as an example of what other property owners should contribute. Family In June 1862, Mrs. Howard and her husband signed an agreement to take care of Isaac I. Stevens Glasgow, a part-Indian child of American settler Thomas Glasgow, who by most accounts was being mistreated by his father. The Howards officially adopted the child in 1877 and he took the name Frank A. Howard. Frank Howard became a leading citizen of the city, inheriting his adopted parents' properties and investing in land and development. Rebecca Howard died in Olympia in July 1881 of a stroke. Her husband survived her, dying in 1890. It was reported at the time of their death that they had property worth in excess of $100,000. In 2011 the Olympia Heritage Commission and the Olympia Downtown Association had a large mural painted commemorating Rebecca Howard and her contribution to the early growth of Olympia. References 1829 births 1881 deaths People from Olympia, Washington History of Olympia, Washington Businesspeople from Philadelphia African-American history of Washington (state) Businesspeople from Washington (state) African-American Episcopalians American women restaurateurs American restaurateurs American hoteliers Women hoteliers Washington (state) pioneers African Americans in the American Old West 19th-century American businesspeople 19th-century American Episcopalians 19th-century American philanthropists People of the Washington Territory