Harrod, John B.

HARROD

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 11/6/2008 at 14:04:39

John B. Harrod

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.244, Valley Twp.)
John B. Harrod, teacher, Parma, was born November 24, 1829, in Logan County, Ohio, son of James and Isabel Harrod, both living in Ohio, he born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1808, she born in Licking County, Ohio, in 1810. Mr. Harrod is the oldest of seven boys and one girl, and was educated at Geneva Hall College, Ohio; began life teaching in 1849; taught three years in Ohio, and then went to Indiana and taught eight years in Hancock County; then the war broke out, and Mr. Harrod enlisted as a private, August 13, 1862, in the Ninety-ninth Indiana Infantry. he was commissioned Quartermaster for the One Hundred and Thirteenth Indiana Infantry in September, 1863. This was called into service for forty days, and after they were mustered out, Dr. William R. Wall, now of Trader's Point, Iowa, J. C. Rardin and Mr. Harrod organized a company of cavalry. Dr. Wall was elected Captain; Mr. Rardin, First Lieutenant, and Mr. Harrod, Second Lieutenant. After about a yaer, Dr. Wall was promoted to the position of Major, Mr. Rardin to Captain and Mr. Harrod, First Lieutenant; all served through the war and are living yet, Mr. Harrod being the only one wounded. Their regiment went into the field in the spring of 1864, and were at once pitted against Forrest, Wheeler and Anderson, raiders in the rear of Sherman. They first started out in Tennessee, and on through Alabama. Mr. Harrod and others were taken prisoners, in September, 1864, at Sulphur Branch, seven miles north of Athens, Ala., Forrest capturing them, he having 10,000 men and the Federals only 500, but they fought six hours before surrendering, and the officers were allowed to retain their side-arms. Loss of Federals, ninety-six, in those that were killed and died from wounds; confederte loss, 200 killed and 1,100 wounded. From the field, our subject and the other prisoners were taken to Meridian, where they were kept in the stockade for a week, and then taken to Enterprise, Miss., and kept for a little over two months, one of the terms of capitulation being that they should be retained in Mississippi; they were paroled at Memephis, Tenn., but remained in the service till their regiment was mustered out, September 9, 1865, at Indianapolis. Mr. Harrod remained under medical treatment for over a year before being able to do antyhing, and in September, 1866, he came to Pottawattamie County, and has remained here since, most of the time engaged in teaching, but his health being so seriously affected since his being a prisoner, he is unable some years to follow his adopted profesion of teaching. he has served two terms as Justice of the Peace, and has been identified with the school interests most of the time. His first vote was for Franklin Pierce, but since he has not voted for a Democratic President; for other officers, he votes for what he considers the best man. he was married, November 18, 1851, to Miss Matilda Ann Hukill, of Ohio, born November 12, 1833, daughter of Stephen Hukill. there is one son by this marriage - Robert F., now living in Ohio. His wife died July 11, 1853. In May, 1854, Mr. Harrod married again, this time to Miss Jane A. Laport, born January 1, 1835, daughter of John L. and Virlind (Harrison) Laport. There is one son and one daughter by this marriage - Charles B. and Maggie M.; the latter was married in January, 1878, to Mr. Isaiah Morris, son of Reuben Morris, of Center Township.