Beyond our Elusive William Daniel

World War I Draft Registration:
He was Edward Lawrence Howard, Brownwood, Texas, aged 38, born 18 Nov 1879. He was a physician, practicing in Brownwood, Texas. His nearest relative was Kathleen Corley Howard, residing in Brownwood, Texas. The date of the registratoin was 12 Sep 1918.

Death Certificate:
(NOTE: There are two death certificates, the second was filed for correction and completion.)
On the first one he was Dr. Edward Lawrence Howard, M.D., widowed, born 18 Nov 1879, widowed, aged 67 years, 7 months, 4 days. He was a physician, born in Brown County, Texas to L. C. Howard, born in TN, and to Molly Stewart, born in Georgia. Mrs. E. L. Howard of Fort Worth was the informant. Death occured at his residence at 2300 Haltom Dr., Fort Worth. The date of death was not given on the first certificate. The cause of death was coronary thrombosis lasting 1 1/2 years. Burial was at Garden of Memories, Fort Worth on 24 Jun 1947.

On the second, corrected Death Certificate he was Dr. Edward Laurence Howard, died 22 Jun 1947, in precinct 1, Tarrant County, Texas. He is listed as widowed on this certificate, as well. He was 18 Nov 1879. He was a physician, born in Brown County, Texas to L. C. Howard born in TN, and to Molly Stewart, born in GA.
NOTE: Why was he listed as widowed when his wife was the informant on the first certificate, and she lived until 1950? Even if there were previous marriages, and his age would indicate that possibility, it would seem that he would appear as married.It appears that the 1910 census record does indicate another marriage. In fact it does appear that the 1910 census shows two previous marriages, saying that the marriage to Edith was a second marriage, and showing a daughter from the first marriage. Still, why would he be considered widowed on his death certificate? He and Kathleen are buried together with the same headstone in the Garden of Memories section of Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Census:
1910 U.S. census, Brown, Texas pop. sch., 6 J-PCT, Bangs town, ED 107, sheet 3A, p. 210 (stamped), dwell. 43.
43/43, Howard, Edward L., head, m, w, 30, m2, 1, TX, TN, (unreadable), doctor, gen. practice, own acct., own, mortgaged, house
----, Edith, wife, f, w, 28, m1, 1, 0 children, 0 living, TX, NY, MS, none
----, Viola, dau., f, w, 10, s, TX, TX, TX, none
----, Mollie, mother, f, w, 62, wd, 10 children, 9 living, GA, GA, SC, none

1930; Census Place: Precinct 1, Tarrant, Texas; Roll 2398; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 97; Image: 591.0
Garden of Eden
247/256, Howard, Dr. Edward L., head, own, 25,000, farm, m, w, 50, m, 35, TX, TN, GA, physician, general, employer
----, Katheleen C., wife, f, w, 41, m, 26, TX, AL, TX, none
----, Elizabeth Z., dau., f, w, 13, s, TX, TX, TX, none
----, Mollie A., mother, f, w, 82, wd., 20, GA, TN, US, none
Flaherty, Frank, m, w, 67, s, Maine, Irland [sic], Irland [sic], laborer, farm, wages