Howard Emmett Case, president of the Davidson & Case Lumber Company, is a citizen of high standing in Wichita, where since 1884 he has been prominently connected with the commercial life of the city as executive head of one of its largest and most successful business enterprises, and has taken an active and influential part in every movement for the upbuilding of Wichita and the general welfare of its citizens.

Mr. Case is the descendant, on both the paternal and maternal sides, of old New York families and on his mother's side is of Revolutionary ancestry. He was born at Fulton, N. Y., June 10, 1862, a son of Charles E. Case, a government contractor and a native of Oswego county, New York. The father died in 1867 when forty-four years of age. He was the son of Jonathan and Betsey (Ferguson) Case, both natives of New York state. The mother of Mr. Case was a Miss Susan Hart before her marriage. She was born in Dutchess county, New York, to Philip and Elizabeth (Graham) Hart, both natives of New York state, and died in November, 1876, when fifty-two years of age.

Howard Emmett Case was reared at Fulton, N. Y. He was graduated in Cornell University with the class of 1884 and removed the same year to Wichita, Kan., where he has since resided. He at once entered the employ of the Oliver Bros., in whose services he gained a thorough knowledge of the lumber business. Two years later the firm of Davidson & Case was established and upon the incorporation of the company in 1893, Mr. Case became president of the company, which position he has continued to fill to the present time. This company now owns and operates twenty-two yards located in Kansas and Oklahoma. He has been a director or officer of the Southwestern Lumbermen's Association for years, and in 1911 at its annual meeting at Kansas City, Mo., that great organization honored itself in advancing Mr. Case to the highest office in its gift, that of president. Under his skillful and energetic management the organization, which covers the four states of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, enjoyed a steady growth and a period of increased usefulness.

Mr. Case has always been active in the city life of Wichita. As vice-president of the Commercial Club he has given his time, money and ability to the upbuilding of that prosperous city. He served two years, 1908 and 1909, as president of the Southwestern Fair Association, and is further identified with its commercial life as an active vice-president of the Fourth National Bank, the largest bank in Wichita. Politically he is a Republican, but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to give his time and attention to his large business interests. Fraternally he is a prominent and appreciated member of the Masonic order, being a 32° Scottish Rite Mason, a Knight Templar and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

On Feb. 2, 1888, Mr. Case married Miss Sarah Elizabeth Blair, of Huntington, Pa. To their union have been born three daughters and one son as follows: Margaret Blair Case, born July 16, 1890, who is now a junior at Smith College, Northampton, Mass.; Helen Dale, born June 5, 1893, who finished her education at Rogers Hall, Lowell, Mass.; Howard Emmett Case, Jr., born April 17, 1897; and Lessley Sarah, born Jan 16, 1902. Mr. Case and his family reside in their handsome home erected in 1901 at 1145 North Lawrence avenue Wichita.