Harman, Roland O.

HARMAN, BOYLE, KIBBEE, GRAHAM

Posted By: Don Wherry (email)
Date: 8/16/2010 at 00:12:22

ROLAND O. HARMAN

Roland O. Harmon is a progressive young farmer of Madison township operating a tract of land comprising one hundred and sixty acres.  He is a native of this township and was born June 27, 1883, a son of Henry and Julia A. (Boyle) Harman.

The father was born in Montgomery county, Illinois, October 11, 1839, and is of German descent.  In his childhood days he accompanied his parents on their removal from Illinois to Missouri and he was a lad of fourteen years when they removed from the latter state to Poweshiek county, the family home being established on a farm in Sheridan township.  He was reared to the occupation of farming and remained at home until he attained maturity.  At the time the Civil War was inaugurated he offered his services to the government and went to the front as a member of Company E, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, which he joined in Grinnell.  He did valiant service on behalf of his country for four years, or until the close of hostilities.  He then returned to his home in Poweshiek county and on the 25th of March, 1866, was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Boyle, their wedding being celebrated at the home of her father, Jonathan Boyle, in Jefferson township.  She was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, December 14, 1848.  Following their marriage, the young couple took up their abode upon a farm which he had previously purchased, this tract being located on section 19, Madison township.  Here he was engaged in farming for quite a long period, or until about four years ago, when he rented his land to his son Charles, and is now living retired in Brooklyn, making his home with a daughter, Mrs. Bessie B. Kibbee.  The wife and mother departed this life March 21, 1910, when in her sixty-second year.

Roland O. Harmon was reared on the home farm in Madison township and pursued his studies in district school No. 4, that township.  He remained on the home farm until he was twenty years of age, when he went to Rockford, Illinois, and for one year was employed in a sugar factory.  While in that city he was married, April 29, 1903, to Miss Maude Graham, a daughter of Merrick Graham, a well known farmer of Madison township, extended mention of whom is made on another page in this volume.

Following their marriage Mr. Harman worked for two years for his father-in-law, and then for three years rented the William Pierson farm in Madison township.  For the past three years, however, he has rented the place on which he now lives, this land belonging to Nathaniel Catherman, and comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 16, Madison township.  He carries on general farming, raising the various cereals best adapted to the soils and climate, and he also raises some stock, principally hogs.  He is progressive in his farm work and as a result of his excellent knowledge of the best methods of agriculture he annually gathers good harvests.

Mr. and Mrs. Harman lost their only child in infancy, its death occurring April 17, 1906.  Mr. Harman is a republican in his political views, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.  They are young people of respectability and worth and have a host of warm friends in their home locality.

- pp. 455-456, History of Poweshiek County, Vol. II; Parker, Prof. L. F.
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, IL; 1911