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William Howard (December 31, 1817 – June 1, 1891) was a United States Army soldier, lawyer, and a U.S. Representative from Ohio for one term from 1859 to 1861.

Born in Jefferson County, Virginia, Howard attended public schools and later studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1840 and subsequently established a law practice.

He later moved to Batavia, Ohio, and served as a prosecuting attorney from 1845 to 1849. He served in the war with Mexico and was made second lieutenant of Company C, Second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Following the war, he served as member of the Ohio Senate from 1849 to 1852.

Howard was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-sixth (March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861). He was not a candidate for re-election.

He enrolled in the army following the outbreak of the Civil War and was commissioned as the major of the 59th Ohio Infantry, on August 11, 1861. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel and commanded the regiment at the Battle of Stones River. Howard resigned his commission on February 24, 1863, and returned home to resume his law practice.

Howard practiced law until his death in Batavia on June 1, 1891, at the age of 73. He was interred in the Batavia Union Cemetery.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

• United States Congress. "William Howard (id: H000846)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-10-19

• William Howard (1817–1891) entry at The Political Graveyard
• William Howard at Find a Grave