Harmon, Michael A. 1856 – 1935
HARMON, FOX
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/19/2015 at 09:38:54
MICHAEL A. HARMON.
Michael A. Harmon, who has been continuously engaged in the practice of law at Decorah for the past twenty-three years, having a handsomely equipped office in the National Bank building, has also ably served as city solicitor for twelve years, from 1900 to 1912. His birth occurred in Canoe township, Winneshiek county, Iowa, on the 13th of January, 1856, his parents being Bernard and Elizabeth (Fox) Harmon, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father emigrated to America in 1837, locating first in Quebec, Canada, and later crossing the border into the United States and settling in Louisiana, where he was engaged in the contracting business for several years. Removing to Kentucky, he purchased a farm which he operated for several years and then went to Chicago but did not believe that the place held out any prospects and refused an offer of one hundred and sixty acres of land on what is now West Madison street, one of the principal thoroughfares of the western metropolis. In 1850 he came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Canoe township, which he improved and cultivated for ten years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and took up his abode in Decorah, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1867. His wife was called to her final rest in the year 1896.
Michael A. Harmon was reared and educated in this county, attending the district schools and the Decorah public schools. After completing his education he taught in the town and country schools for a period of ten years, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. Having determined to make the practice of law his life work, he began the study of that profession under the direction of Judge Cooley and in June, 1881, was admitted to the bar. In 1883 he was elected county recorder and served in that capacity for three terms or until 1889. The following year he began practice and has remained an able representative of the legal fraternity in Decorah to the present time, maintaining a handsomely equipped office in the National Bank building and owning a splendid law library. His success in a professional way affords the best evidence of his capabilities in this line. He is a strong advocate with the jury and concise in his appeals before the court. Much of the success which has attended him in his professional career is undoubtedly due to the fact that in no instance will he permit himself to go into court with a case unless he has absolute confidence in the justice of his client's cause. Basing his efforts on this principle, from which there are far too many lapses in professional ranks, it naturally follows that he seldom loses a case in whose support he is enlisted. Mr. Harmon owns farm land in this county as well as city property in Decorah and successfully deals in real estate in connection with the practice of law. He is unmarried and makes his home with relatives in his own residence on Vernon street.
Politically Mr. Harmon is a republican. In 1900 he was appointed city solicitor and during twelve years ably discharged the duties devolving upon him in that connection. For the past sixteen years he has served as a commissioner of insanity. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, being a charter member of Lodge No. 443. In religious faith he is a Catholic. His entire life has been spent in Winneshiek county and he enjoys an enviable reputation in professional and public life, while in social circles he is popular and esteemed.
Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913
St.. Benedict Cemetery Gravestone
Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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