O'HARRA, Jefferson W.: Died 1907

OHARRA, ROBERTSON, BURNER, COFFMAN, BOYD, STOUT, MEADE, MORGAN

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 8/5/2015 at 18:33:24

PASSING OF A ROMAN.

Jefferson W. O'Harra, Full of Years And Honors, Goes to His Reward.

Jefferson W. O'Harra was born June 4, 1833 on a farm in Clark county, Indiana. When eight years old, he with his parents came to Quincy by boat, the household goods being sent overland by wagon. The intention had been to locate in Hancock county, but on account of the Mormon troubles, they settled in Adams county, near Columbus. For two years the family lived there, the father and son engaged in the then profitable cooper business. At the end of that time a farm was purchased two miles from Camp Point. While there the subject of this sketch helped make the brick for the old Hebron church.

On April 3d, 1856 he was married to Miss Pauline Robertson and they commenced housekeeping on a farm five miles northwest of Camp Point. In thiw home two sons were born to them, Apollos W., Feb. 22, 1857 and William G, on Jan. 12, 1859. In the spring of 1859 they moved onto the Bridgewater farm two and a half miles northeast of Denver, where they resided seven years and where three daughters were born, Flora Alice, Jan. 2, 1861, Minnie Effie, March 3, 1863, and Mary Eliza Nov. 11, 1864. Alice died Feb. 6, 1965 and Minnie Feb. 13, 1896.

On Feb. 16, 1866, Mr. O'Harra moved to the village of Bentley, where he lived for thirty-three years. Four children were born to them here: Cleophas C., Nov. 4, 1866, Lizzie Ellen, Sept. 26, 1868, Milehan L., Nov. 28, 1870 and Ira J., May 7, 1872. Lizzie died April 3, 1870. At Bentley he engaged in the merchandise business, was postmaster for twenty two years and was an extensive grain shipper. On Feb. 28, 1899, he disposed of his interests at Bentley and moved to Carthage, where in a few months he took charge of the loan department of his son, A.W. O'Harra which he handled with ability (unreadable) his death.

This spring Mr. O'Harra's health commenced to fail, and an operation was decided upon in hope of relieving a condition that was wearing upon him. On June 4th he went to Chicago and submitted to the operation, which was successful and would have restored him to a measure of good health, but his age and complications proved too much for him, and one June 24, 1907, at 6 p.m., he passed peacefully away.

Besides his wife he leaves surviving him six children - one daughter and five sons - Mrs. George E. Burner, of near Ferris; Apollos W., of this city; Dr. W.G., of Chicago; Prof. C.C., of Rapid City, S.D.; Rev. M.L., of Abingdon, Ill.; Ira J., of Macomb, Ill.; and Ray and Oswald Coffman, sons of the deceased daughter, Minnie; also there survive him four sisters and one brother - Margaret Boyd, of Idaho Springs, Colo.; Mrs. G.H. Stout, of Denver, Col.; Mrs. Amos Meade, of Grand Island, Neb.; Mrs. Thos. J. Morgan, of Allerton, Iowa, and Joseph C. O'Harra, of Oquawka, Ill.

The body was brought to Carthage, and on Thursday, June 27, 1907, the funeral services were held from his late residence on West Main street, Rev. T.E.N. Newland officiating, in the presence of a large concourse of friends and relatives. In the cool shade of the pleasant lawn were placed chairs, and below the veranda, which was occupied by the choir and the officiating minister, the casket was placed. At the back of it was a wealth of floral offerings, the beautiful designs set amid nature's unequaled triumph of the flowering vines that smothered the porch in their fragrance. Rev. Newland's remarks were a sincere tribute to christian constancy and christian triumph. The songs by the choir were the sweet old songs - the pioneer spirituals and over all prevailed the hush and comfort of a great peace. It is a great thing to live one's life adequately, and then, sleep peacefully.

The burial was at Moss Ridge by the Odd Fellows, the largest number attending from Bentley lodge than on any previous.
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J.W. O'Harra was a man of unusual character. He came from the pioneer stock whose brains and energy developed this great middle west and produced some of the greatest men of history. His untiring industry and zeal was not only prominent in his business dealings, but was most pronounced in his church work and his ever fight for civic righteousness. He assisted in organizing the Methodist church at Bentley and was always active in the work, he being one of the most valued officers of the church at Bentley and Carthage. Bentley at the time he moved there was a community of saloons and lawlessness. Largely through his relentless warfare, the saloons were driven from the town and a special charter secured for the town, prohibiting the opening of a saloon within its corporate limits. Churches and a fine school building replaced the saloons. Educational refinement and religious training followed those dark days and Mr. O'Harra lived to see the town the center of one of the most prosperous, intelligent and Christian of communities. From this community have gone men and women who have made their mark in the world and who carry onward and upward the banner of christian citizenship implanted in their heart and brain by noble men and women, of whom Jefferson W. O'Harra was a type, who give to this age its purity and greatness.

His honorable dealings, his cheerful optimism and liberal public public spirit, won for him the deathless friendship of a wide acquaintance. In his long life he has been of inestimable benefit to society and his service for God brought to him the fruitage of a life singularly blessed, and at the end the calm assurance and unfaltering trust of one who "wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams."

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book E, Page 116, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA

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