My Genealogy Hound

John R. Harshaw, merchant, farmer and postmaster, Hickory Plains, Ark. A number of years passed in sincere and earnest endeavor to thoroughly discharge every duty in the different branches of business to which his attention has been directed has contributed very materially to the success that has fallen to Mr. Harshaw’s career in life. He came originally from Mississippi, where his birth occurred in Marshall County, on September 4, 1852, and is the son of Daniel Harshaw, a native of South Carolina. When a young man, the father married Miss Mary N. Dowdle, also a native of South Carolina, and they afterward moved to Mississippi, where they resided for fifteen years. In December, 1852, they moved to Arkansas, located at Hickory Plains, Prairie County, and there the father cultivated the soil for several years. In 1866 he engaged in mercantile pursuits with his son at this place and continued business here up to 1883. He was postmaster from 1865 up to the time of his death and was a man who had the confidence and esteem of all. His wife survives him at this writing and is now seventy years of age. Their family consisted of two sons and five daughters, all of whom grew to mature age. One son, Leroy D., was the second merchant at Hickory Plains. He went to California for his health in 1873 and died there soon after. Three of the sisters are living: Mrs. E. S. Davis (a widow), Mrs. A. C. Harrison (also a widow) and Mrs. A. S. Reinhardt (of Des Arc). J. B. Harshaw attained his growth and received a good practical education at Hickory Plains Academy. He clerked for his father until twenty-one years of age, when he took an active interest in the store and has had charge of the business since that time. He has a large and complete stock of general merchandise, and is doing an immense business of about $30,000 annually, and handles cotton, etc. He is a clear-headed man of business and an excellent manager of all affairs of which he has the control; he has enjoyed an unsullied reputation and has materially helped the general interests and standing of Hickory Plains. He is the owner of several farms in this State and county, in all about 5,000 acres of land, and is a man whose characteristics of energy, promptness and sobriety will always secure success. He was appointed postmaster here in 1883 and holds this position at the present time. He was married at Hickory Plains on May 18, 1876, to Miss Eva Burks, a native of Kentucky, who was reared and educated near Russellville, Logan County, Ky., and who is the daughter of W. I. Burks, now of Springfield, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Harshaw were born five children, who are named as follows: Leroy, Mary V., Marion B., John R. and Lizzie. Mrs. Harshaw is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Harshaw is a man of fine physique, standing six feet one inch, weighs 275 pounds, and is as pleasant and sociable a gentleman as one would care to meet.