Henry Harshbarger (1838-1916)

HARSHBARGER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 3/24/2022 at 16:57:57

Henry Harshbarger
(August 30, 1838 – January 1, 1916)

Henrv Harshbarger is one of the honored veterans of the Civil War, who fought
for the defense of the Union when secession in the south attempted the overthrow of the republic. He is today a loyal, faithful citizen, as true to duty as when he followed the starry banner upon the southern battlefields. For a number of years he was connected with agricultural interests in Calhoun County, but now resides in Lake City, where he is engaged in merchandising.
Henry Harshbarger was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, near Dayton, August
30. 1838. The father. Jacob Harshbarger, was also a native of Ohio and there married Lucinda Kessler, who was likewise born in the Buckeye state, but the parents of both were natives of Pennsylvania. Unto Jacob and Lucinda seven children were born: Elizabeth, the wife of Abner M. Jones, a
farmer of Warrick County, Indiana; Nancy, the wife of Abraham L. Rose, a farmer of Russell County, Kansas; Henry of this review; Christopher M., who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Russell County; Catherine, who died in Fremont, Iowa, in 1894; John, who was a Union soldier in the Civil War and was killed at Marks Mills, April 14, 1863; and Malinda, the wife of Mr. Boals, of Fremont County. Iowa. In the year 1838 the parents removed with their family to Spencer County, Indiana, where the father
engaged in farming until 1850, when he came to Iowa, settling in Keokuk County, where he made his home until the fall of 1878, at which time he removed to Russell County, Kansas, and there remained until his death. His wife has also passed away.
Mr. Harshbarger, whose name introduces this review, obtained his early education in Spencer County, Indiana, and also pursued his studies in Keokuk County. He remained with his father until 1858, when he began business on his own account, renting a farm in Keokuk County. He followed agricultural pursuits till the 6th of August, 1862, when he offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of Company B, Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry, at Ottumwa. The regiment was assigned to the Seventh Corps of the Western Division, and with his company Mr. Harshbarger participated in the battles of Helena, Arkansas, July 4. 1863, and of Little Rock, on the l0th of August. He was also in the Red River campaign and the Saline river campaign, and took part in a number of skirmishes, being mustered out on the 26th of August, 1865, after a service of three years and twenty days. He was loyal and faithful, displaying his bravery on many a battle-field.
On the 7th of September, 1865, Mr. Harshbarger returned to his home and resumed farm work, which he continued until the fall of 1875, when he removed to Calhoun County. Here he began farming in Elm Grove Township, where he remained until 1889, at which date he took up his abode in Lake City and entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company in the machine shops. There he was employed until the spring of 1891, when he embarked in his present business. He is engaged in merchandising, which he successfully follows, and has a well appointed store, whereby he has gained a liberal patronage. He is the owner of a farm in Chilton County, Alabama, and is in comfortable circumstances as a result of his well directed affairs.
Henry Harshbarger was married June 24, 1858 to Mary McVey, the daughter of
John B. McVey, a farmer and minister of Keokuk County, Iowa. They now have nine children: John M., who follows agricultural pursuits in Greene County ; Jacob, who runs a bus line in Cedar Falls, Iowa ; Christopher H., also a farmer of Greene County; Annie, the wife of George Wingerson, of Calhoun County : Lydia L., the wife of Jacob Wingerson, of this county, Ora E., who
married Clinton H. Taylor and lives in Lake City; Edward, who is engaged in teaming in the mountains of Montana : Fred and Herbert, who are resident farmers of Carroll County, Iowa. The mother died August 30, 1882, and in Lake City on the 17th of April, 1897, Mr. Harshbarger was again married, his second union being with Deborah A. Frame, a daughter of Levi Cook. They now occupy a pleasant home in Lake City, and have many warm friends in the community. Socially our subject is connected with the Zerubbabel Lodge, F. & A. M., and has attained to the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He also belongs to the Lander Post, No. 156, G. A. R., and in politics he has always been a staunch Republican since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. While residing in Elm Grove Township he served as assessor, clerk and trustee, filling each office for two years, and since coming to Lake City he has served as a member of the city council for six years. He belongs to the Methodist church and his wife holds membership in the Woodlawn Christian church. Throughout all his career he has been true to the principles which inculcate honorable manhood, and whether as a soldier in the Civil war, in business pursuits or in private life he has commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow men. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.240]