HARKNESS, Prof. Richard A. - 1890 Bio (1839-1918)

HARKNESS, LEAL, NORTHRUP, HUMESTON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/8/2007 at 21:02:53

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 306 and 309

Prof. Richard A. HARKNESS, Ph. D., professor of the latin language and literature in Parsons College, of Fairfield, is an educator of thirty years experience and of well known and recognized ability throughout the State. He was born in Delhi, Delaware County, N. Y., November 25, 1839. Of almost pure Scotch (sic) blood, he has inherited the physical and mental characteristics of that people. His paternal grandparents came from the North of Ireland, though his ancestors emigrated from Scotland at the time of the persecution and sought refuge on the Emerald Isle. His maternal grandparents came direct from Scotland and both families settled in New York. Their lives were simple an unostentatious, but intensely religious. To such homes we are greatly indebted for the greatest and best characters of our American civilization. The Professor's parents, Robert and Lydia (LEAL) HARKNESS, were natives of New York, which State was their home throughout life, he being a farmer by occupation. His death occurred in the prime of manjood when forty-two years of age, leaving a family of ten children, four sons and six daughters, of whom Prof. HARKNESS is the eighth in order of birth. Of these three sons and five daughters are still living. The mother lived to the advanced age of eighty-five years and like her husband was a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church.

Prof. HARKNESS is the only one of the family that has been diverted from the pursuits of his ancestors -- farming, and until sixteen years of age, he too, performed such duties as are incident to the life of farmer lads. The father dying when Richard was only five years of age, the early training of the boy was left to his mother, who schooled him as best she could and never forgot to impress upon his young mind the great principles of Christianity. Until about seventeen years of age he attended the common schools and the Delhi Academy. From 1856 to 1860, he was engaged in teaching in Licking County, Ohio, when he returned to his native city and spent another year in the academy. In 1861, he entered the junior class of Union College, in Schenectady, N. Y. and was graduated in 1863 with the degree of A. B. He taught in an academy in Cherry Valley, N. Y., and continued that work until 1864, when he was offered the position of principal of a school in Gordon Grove, Decatur County, Iowa. The institution was a public school and a college combined, and for eighteen years he stood at its head and under his efficient management the school became very popular. Students came from long distances and more pupils were prepared for college at that school than at any other in this part of the State. Through the work done and the active part taken in normal institutes, Prof. HARKNESS became well known throughout the State and without his solicitation or consent his name was offered as a candidate for State Superintendent of Schools. He supports the Republican party but has never sought official recognition. For many years he was a member of the State Educational Council and was President of the State Teachers' Association in 1882.

Prof. HARKNESS has never felt called upon "to write a book" but he has made a number of valuable contributions to the literature of his profession which have appeared in journals or been read before associations. In 1876, the Professor was elected a trustee of Parsons College, of Fairfield, but resigned the position after six years on being called to his present position in 1882.

In Humeston, Iowa, on the 9th of August, 1965, Prof. HARKNESS was united in marriage with Miss Susie, daughter of Hon. Alva and Mary (NORTHRUP) HUMESTON, who emigrated to Iowa in 1864. Her father was a prominent business man and at one time represented Wayne County in the Iowa Legislature. Mrs. HARKNESS is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, and a cultured and intelligent lady, her education having been acquired in Hiram College. The Professor and his wife have three children -- Mary L. a graduate of Parsons College, of Fairfield, in which institution she has since taught for five years; Susie A. and Carlton A. are still students.

Mr. HARKNESS is a senior professor in the college and is well capable of filling the position which he has now held for eight years. So far as human effort goes he is a self-made man. With good natural endowments and a first-class course of training combined with long experience, Prof. HARKNESS has won rank among the first educators of the State.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.