My Genealogy Hound

ISAAC HARFF, a practical general agriculturist and well-known citizen, cultivates a fine farm, located on section 15, Galien Township, Berrien County, Mich. He is a native of Darke County, Ohio, and was born in 1844. His father, William Harff, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and was reared on a farm. Having attained manhood, he learned the weaver’s trade, and throughout his life continued in that employment. He located in Ohio while a single man, and was married to Esther Emory in the Buckeye State. Upright and industrious, he reared with care a family of eight children. His wife died in 1860, the husband surviving until 1875, when he passed away, at about sixty-five years of age. Politically, the father of our subject was a sturdy Democrat and an admirer of Thomas Jefferson. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and a consistent Christian, highly respected by all who knew him.

Our subject was self-supporting from early youth, but remained dutifully with his parents until he had reached his majority. Working by the month on an adjacent farm, he received but little or no advantages for an education, and is literally a self-made man. He enlisted in the service of the Government during the late Civil War, and in 1864 joined Company B, Second Ohio Infantry, but was afterward transferred to Company E, One Hundred and Eightieth Infantry, under Gen. Thomas’ corps. Mr. Harff participated in numerous skirmishes, but was engaged in only one of the principal battles of the campaign — Resaca. He remained in active military duty until the close of the war, was discharged in Columbus, Ohio, and was mustered out in Augusta, Ga., in September, 1865. Soon after peace had resumed its sway, our subject made his home in Noble County, Ind., and was married there. Renting land, he entered into agricultural pursuits, and later located in Kankakee County. After a few years’ residence in that part of Indiana, he decided to remove to Michigan, and settled in Berrien County.

Mr. Harff has since 1891 occupied his present homestead, and has thirty-six acres in Buchanan Township. He is a thorough farmer and successfully tills the soil. Unaided he has won his way and commands the respect and confidence due to his energy and sterling character. He has been twice married. The first wife of our subject was Miss Betsey Keener, who bore him two children, Phoebe and Merriam. Mrs. Betsey Harff died, and was buried in Indiana. In Michigan Mr. Harff was united in marriage to his second wife, Miss Barbara Keener, a sister of the first wife. Eight children blessed the second union: Sherman, Lovey, William, Jacob, Amos, Charles, Clarence and Pearl, all of whom will receive the opportunity for schooling which was denied their father.

Fraternally, our subject is a member of Post No. 208, G. A. R., at Galien. Politically, he is a Democrat, and in all matters pertaining to local improvement and progress is a public-spirited and liberal citizen. Without being in any sense of the word a politician, he keeps himself intelligently posted in the affairs of the day, and, having given faithful service on the battle-field in behalf of the Union, is deeply interested in all national issues.