Harlan, George W.

HARLAN, RIGGS, KELLER, LANDMESSER, BARNES

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/12/2009 at 19:17:21

George W. Harlan

Few citizens of Jasper County have been more prominently before the public or have had their histories interwoven more inseparably with the history of this part of Iowa than has Mr. Harlan. The plain record of the principal events of his life speaks, in language more eloquent than words, of his ability, energy and good judgment. Such a life needs no embellishment at the hands of the biographer, for his own good deeds arc the best monuments to his worth and nobility of character.

Now residing upon a farm on section 14, Palo Alto Township, the subject of this sketch was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., January 12, 1837. He is the son William C. and Anna (Riggs) Harlan, natives of Pennsylvania. Until nineteen years of age, he resided in the Keystone State, where he received a practical education in the grammar and high schools of Pottsville. Subsequently he engaged in teaching school for two terms in Jasper County, Iowa. He came to this state in June 1856, and for about one year resided in Muscatine County, whence, in the spring of 1857, he came to Jasper County. In 1866 he settled upon the farm where he now resides. His first purchase consisted of about sixty acres of unimproved land. This he improved, and by subsequent purchase added to the original tract, until at the present time he is the owner of two hundred and fifteen acres. On the 11th of August, 1861, Mr. Harlan was united in marriage with Miss Mary Keller, a native of Luzerne County, Pa., and a daughter of Conrad and Mary (Landmesser) Keller, who were born in Germany and emigrated to the United States prior to their marriage. At the age of fifteen years, in company with her parents, Mrs. Harlan came to Jasper County, Iowa, and settled in Palo Alto Township, where her father died on the 20th of September 1890, and her mother on December 14, 1874. Mrs. Harlan has two sisters and one brother, viz.: Louisa, who is the wife of N. Landmesser, a resident of Elk Creek Township, Jasper County; Charles F., who lives in Palo Alto Township; and Henrietta, who married John Barnes and lives in Kansas.

Mr. and Mrs. Harlan are the parents of seven children, viz.: Mifflin, Charles F.; Hattie G., who is a successful teacher in the public schools; Harry C.; Louise, who also engages in the profession of a teacher; Nellie and James C. Mrs. Harlan and her two daughters are members of tile United Presbyterian Church, and the other members of the family arc attendants at the services of that denomination. In his political connections, Mr. Harlan is a Republican, firm in his advocacy of the principles of that party. For several terms he officiated as Clerk and Assessor of Palo Alto Township, and for four years he served as Clerk of Jasper County. In his social connections he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Masonic fraternity at Newton.

During the long period of Mr. Harlan's residence in Jasper County, he has accumulated an abundance of this world's goods, and has also the satisfaction of knowing that he has performed no unimportant part in the growth and development of Palo Alto Township. He is of a benevolent, generous and kindly disposition, and those who seek his aid or counsel are given sound advice and substantial assistance. He is a leading and influential citizen of this part of the county, and well merits the esteem in which he is held. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 360.