George Harlan (1822 - 1888)
HARLAN, ANDERSON, POLLY
Posted By: Barry Mateer (email)
Date: 1/3/2022 at 19:54:02
Biographical and historical record of Clarke County, Iowa
1886, Lewis Publishing Company, Page 140(Mr. Harlan’s log cabin is currently at the Clarke County Historical Society Museum south of town.)
George Harlan is a native of Darke County, Ohio, born April 14, 1822, a son of Nathan B. and Sally (Anderson) Harlan. His parents were natives of Kentucky, moving to Ohio in 1818. The father bought a tract of wild land, which he improved and made his home until 1852.
The mother died when her eldest son, our subject, was 18 years old. The family consisted of eight children – George, Nathan A., deceased; David, Joshua; Elizabeth, deceased; Jane, deceased; Annie, and one daughter who died in infancy.
In 1842, the father married Miss Isabelle Polly, and to them were born seven children - Enos, Hiram, Whitson, Rufus, Howard, an infant died unnamed, and Miriam. The second wife is also deceased.
In 1852 the father left Ohio and came to Iowa, living two years in Henry County, then moved to Van Buren County, where he still lives at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. He has experienced all phases of pioneer life, having been one of the first settlers in two States. He helped to clear the forests of Ohio, and to improve the prairies of Iowa.
George Harlan is a son of sturdy parents, and was reared among the wilds of his native State. The house in which he was born was but a rail pen, and his cradle was a sugar trough. As he grew older he assisted his father in clearing the forests and thus increased the patch of sunshine around their home. He remained with his parents until his marriage, and then began life for himself on forty acres of land which he had bought. On this he lived several years and then immigrated to Iowa, and rented a farm in Lee County, where he lived two years. Then moved to Van Buren County, and two years later to Clarke County.
He bought 160 acres on section 27, Fremont Township, and built a hay shed in which he lived six weeks, in the meantime erecting a rude log cabin. He was obliged to go a distance of ninety miles to mill, with a team of oxen, requiring twelve days to make the journey.
The county abounded in game. Deer and turkeys were numerous, as were also wolves and other wild animals, and many have fallen a victim to the accurate aim of Mr. Harlan’s rifle. He has improved his land and now has a fine farm of 170 acres with a comfortable residence and farm buildings, and is considered one of the substantial and enterprising farmers of the township. Perfectly honorable and upright, he is held in high esteem among his fellow townsmen. He has held the office of justice of the peace ten years, being repeatedly elected in opposition to his wishes, thus indicating his standing with the voters of the township. In politics he is a staunch Republican.
Mr. Harlan was married September 3, 1941 to miss Julia Harlan, and to them have been born five children – Valentine, Jacob, Elizabeth, Nathan and Jerome. Elizabeth and Nathan are deceased.
Memorial at Findagrave
Clarke Biographies maintained by Brenda White.
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