HARKEN, John R. 1879-1942

HARKEN, OELMAN, WAALKES

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/18/2010 at 14:15:27

John R. Harken, Austinville Business Man, Is Dead

John R. Harken, who had been engaged in business at Austinville the past 30 years, died at his home August 24. For a number of years he was a member of the mercantile firm of Harken & Harken. In late years he operated a hatchery at Austinville. He was 63 years old.

He was born at Forreston, Ill., June 24, 1879. In 1921 he married Miss Grace Waalkes, who survives with two children, Jeanette, 20, and Ronald, 9. He also leaves two brothers, Ben of Waterloo, and Corneal of Austinville; two sisters, Mrs. Hattie Roelse of Austinville and Mrs. Anna Muller of Ackley. Funeral services were Thursday at the Westfriesland Presbyterian church, with Rev. H. Johnson officiating. Burial was in the cemetery adjoining the church.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 3 September 1942, pg 4

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The Obituary Of John R. Harken

Brief Illness Results Fatally to Long-time Resident and Business Man

After a prolonged illness of more than three months John H. Harken of Austinville, Iowa, passed away at his home on the evening of August 24th, 1942, at the age of 63 years and 2 months.

The deceased was born near Forreston, Illinois on June 24th, 1879. With his parents he came to Iowa in 1882, and lived since that time in the vicinity of and in Austinville. In June 1913 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Oelman. Their union was blessed with three children, all of whom died in infancy. His wife passed away in December 1918.

On June 1st, 1921 he exchanged the marriage vows with Miss Grace Waalkes, and their home was blessed with two children.

Mr. Harken was formerly engaged in a general merchandise business in partnership with his cousin R. U. Harken. The last fifteen years he conducted a fine hatchery and poultry supply business.

For many years he was troubled with an enlarged thyroid gland. About sixteen years ago he was obliged to seek the medical service at the hospital at Waverly, Iowa. Up to this spring the growth did not trouble a great deal. Then an infection set in and he had to submit himself to an operation. The best medical and surgical authorities were consulted, but neither they nor all that a loving and sacrificial service, administered by his loved ones could render, was of any avail. He was a very patient sufferer.

Since November, 1914, he was a member of the West Friesland Presbyterian Church, which congregation he served for many years, first as a trustee and during the later years as a deacon.

Those mourning his passing are his grief stricken widow, his daughter Jeanette and his son Ronald, his brothers Ben of Waterloo and Corneal of Aplington, his sisters Mrs. Abe Roelse of Austinville and Mrs. William Muller of Ackley, many relatives and a large circle of friends. Two brothers preceded him in death. May we also make mention here of his sister-in-law, Miss Marguerite Waalkes, who devotedly helped minister unto him during the last month of his suffering.

Funeral service was held Thursday at 1 o'clock from the home and at 1:30 at the church, conducted by the pastor, Henry Johnson.

--Ackley World-Journal (Ackley, Iowa), 3 September 1942, pg 2