Ira was one of the first merchants to locate at the new county seat. His home and store were on the northwest corner of Main & Locust streets, which later become the home and property of his son Col. Joseph L. Howard. Ira was also a promoter and trustee of the Jacksonville Academy. (text obtained from "Floyd Co: A History of It's People & Places" By: Amos D. Wood)

See “The Lester family of Floyd County and Montgomery County, Virginia” for their descendents.

“Ira and Pamella Howard lived on Little River until their move to Jacksonville in 1832.”

“Ira Howard was a merchant, farmer, and slave owner. He held several public offices in the Floyd County govemment and was a member of the State Legislature for 12 years. In 1832 he bought three lots (almost an entire block) on Cross Street (North Locust Street) in the new county seat of Jacksonville and opened a mercantile store. The store stood at the corner of West Main Street and Cross Street, across the street from the courthouse. After Ira's death in 1865, the store was taken over and run by his son, Joseph L.Howard, who replaced the original structure with a large square building that housed the store on one side and their home on the other side. It was destroyed by fire in [9]1896.”