HARRISON TAYLOR FLEENOR
A
descendant of early Iowa pioneers, Harrison Taylor Fleenor
engaged in agricultural pursuits on forty-five acres of choice
land on section 32, Jackson township, Lucas county. He was born in Des
Moines county, Iowa, April 22, 1847, his parents being Hiram
and Mary Ann (Portlock) Fleenor, the father a native of
Virginia. The
parents came to Des Moines county in 1832, being among the
earliest settlers of Iowa.
At that time there were but two buildings in
Burlington. They
made their start to this state from Indiana, driving overland
in the old pioneer fashion.
The father died in Des Moines county, Iowa, at the age
of sixty-nine years, long surviving his wife, who also died in
that county at the age of twenty-seven. In their family
were but two children, the brother of our subject being
William, who still resides on the old home farm in Des Moines
county. Of a
subsequent marriage of the father were born eight children, as
follows: Isaac;
George; John, deceased; Robert; Mrs. Mary Hildig; Elipees,
deceased; Mrs. Sadie Linder; and Mrs. Lydia Cullenbeck. All were born and
reared in Iowa.
In
the acquirement of his education Harrison T. Fleenor attended
common school, early assisting his father in the work on the
home farm and becoming acquainted with thorough agricultural
methods. In 1863
he enlisted from Burlington, Iowa, for service in the Union
army, becoming a member of Company C of the Thirtieth Iowa
Volunteer Infantry, which was a part of the Army of the
Cumberland. Yet
a mere boy of sixteen, Mr. Fleenor distinguished himself by
his courageous conduct and faithfulness to his duties,
inspiring others with his spirit of patriotism. He participated in
every engagement with his regiment except the battle of
Lookout Mountain and upon receiving his honorable discharge
returned to the pursuits of private life, having followed
farming and the carpenter’s trade since the close of the war. Mr. Fleenor enjoys
today a pension from his government in part payment of the
valuable services which he rendered the Union in upholding the
northern cause. He
remained in Des Moines county until 1867 and then moved to
Madison county, this state, there following the carpenter’s
trade for six months. His
next removal was to Lucas county, remaining, however, but
three months before removing to Missouri, where he made his
home for two years. He
then returned to Jackson township, of which he has been a
resident ever since. This
was in the year 1871. He
now given his attention largely to the cultivation of
forty-five acres of valuable land, upon which can be found
good improvements. His
buildings are in a state of good repair and he follows
progressive methods in order to increase the productivity of
the soil. A
resident of Lucas county for over four decades, he largely
enjoys the esteem of his friends and neighbors and such
prosperity as has come to him no one begrudges him.
On
September 7, 1867, Mr. Fleenor was married in Des Moines
county, Iowa, to Miss Jeannette Leonard, a native of that
county, who was born on March 22, 1850. Her parents were
among the early settlers of Des Moines county, coming there in
1846 by the overland route.
The father, George Leonard, a native of France, died in
Lucas county in 1892, and the mother, Nancy Leonard, a native
of Ohio, also died in this county. In their family were three sons and four
daughters, Mrs. Fleenor being the eldest in the family. The others were: John, deceased;
Moses, deceased; Tabitha; Lafayette, deceased; Mary, deceased;
and Lizzie. All
were born and reared in Des Moines county. Mr. and Mrs.
Fleenor became the parents of five children, of whom four are
living, the eldest, John, having passed away. The others are: William, a resident
of Michigan; Perry, of Everist, Iowa; Rose, residing with her
parents; and Mary, also at home. All these children are natives of Lucas
county, where they grew to maturity.
Interested in public matters, Mr. Fleenor gives his stanch adherence to the republican party, keeping well informed upon all issues that effect the welfare of his locality, county, state and nation. He has for seven years efficiently served as constable of Jackson township and has given evidence of his interest in the cause of education by serving as a member of the school board of his district, his term covering a similar period. For many years he has filled the position of road supervisor and has been active in the good roads movements, recognizing the importance of transportation facilities as regards the farmer. In every respect Mr. Fleenor is a progressive and public-spirited citizen, having given evidence of his patriotic spirit in war as well as in times of peace and being highly regarded and esteemed for his many good qualities of mind and character by all who know him and most of all by those who know him longest.