John Harlan 1821-1914

HARLAN, GODFREY

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 8/4/2003 at 17:47:23

ANSWERED SUMMONS

“Uncle” John Harlan, an Invalid
for Past Three Months, De-
Parted This Life Wednesday
Morning at 7:40.

REMAINS TAKEN TO INDIANA

Short Services Were Held at the
Home of His Son – Was in
His Ninety-fourth Year.

The first man that the editor of the News did business with upon our arrival in the city three years ago, our landlord, Uncle John Harlan, 93 years, 5 months and 23 days of age, passed peacefully away at 7:40 o’clock Wednesday morning of the infirmities of old age.

Uncle John had enjoyed fairly good health up to about three months ago, when he commenced to decline rapidly and about a month later took to his bed never to rise. He was a patient sufferer, never uttering the least complaint of any kind whatsoever. He passed away at the home of a son E.T. Harlan and it was his request that his remains be taken back to the old home for interment beside those of his first wife.

Uncle John Harlan was the first man that we ever met of his age that was able to read print as fine as that the News is set in, without the aid of glasses. When he was able to get around he rarely ever failed to be at our office early on press day for the first sheet off the press and would take a seat and read every line before his departure for home. It was remarkable to us and to his many friends the vitality he possessed; he was never troublesome in any way being able to wait on himself up until he took to his bed.

According to the last wishes of Uncle John, short services were held at the home Thursday at four o’clock before the departure for Indians where the body was taken for interment accompanied by his grandson, Ed Harlan, curator of the state of Iowa, and his son, E.T. and where he was preceeded by S.A. and Alva, who went on Wednesday morning to make the necessary arrangements.

John Harlan was born in Wayne county, Ind., January 24, 1821, where he grew to manhood. On the 11th day of August, 1842, he was married to Martha Godfrey and to this union were born eleven children, six of whom reached the age of maturity, four of them still living, S.A., E.T., Alva and George.

On January 22, 1874, the first Mrs. Harlan died in Randolph county, Indiana. In 1875, he was again married to Mary E. Harlan who passed away October 15, 1908.

In 1843 he with his family moved to Randolph county, Indiana, moving back to Bethel, in Wayne county, in August, 1852. From Bethel they went to Spartansburg in 1859, remaining there for three months when they moved to a farm just west of Union City, residing there until February 1863, when they moved to a farm south of Spartansburg. Here they lived until 1874, when on January 22 his first wife died, and the following spring he removed to Iowa, when he was about 60 years of age. He has been a resident of this state almost continuously ever since, with the exception of one or two vacation trips he had taken.
- -
S.A. and Alva Harlan departed for Bethel, Ind., to make the necessary arrangements for the interment of the remains of their father “Uncle” John Harlan.

Source: Stockport Weekly News, June 24, 1914, p1

There was also a large photo on page 4. Above the photo it reads “Answered Redeemer’s Call” and below the photo it reads:

“UNCLE” JOHN HARLAN
Who passed away last Wednesday morning at 7:40 at the home of is son, E.T. Harlan in this city, at the age of 93 years 4 months and 23 days, having been born in Wayne County, Indiana; January 24th, 1821.

[Liz esly@mindspring.com would like to hear from anyone with connections to the above family.]