My Genealogy Hound

DAVID W. HARMON is engaged in the management of a choice piece of farm land, of which he became the owner in 1882. It is located on section 2, township 47, range 27, Johnson County, and is considered one of the best farms in this region. An air of neatness and thrift pervades the premises, and bespeaks the constant and watchful care bestowed upon everything by the fortunate possessor.

Our subject was born in the Blue Grass State, February 25, 1845, being one of six children born to Louis and Sally (Fletcher) Harmon, and is now one of only three who survive. His father was born about 1793, and in his youth learned the blacksmith’s trade. Later in life he worked at farming, but was mainly employed at his trade. In the fall of 1845 he came to Missouri, settling in this county. After the sons had grown to be young men, the father built a shop, and left them to carry on the farm. He was called to the home beyond in March, 1863.

The boyhood of our subject passed in an uneventful manner on the farm, a portion of his time being devoted to attending the district school of the period. From his father he inherited a resolute and self-reliant nature, and while still a mere lad he began to plan ways to make money in order to help support himself. He laid aside a share of his earnings, and soon after he had celebrated his seventeenth birthday he was married to Miss Sarah P. Delay, the event occurring in June, 1862. The young couple took up their abode with Mr. Harmon’s parents, and lent them great assistance in the routine work of the place.

Mr. Harmon rented land from 1863 until the spring of 1868, when he bought a farm, and soon was on the high road to success, now being the owner of two hundred and eighty-five acres, improved with good buildings, fences, etc. In all his methods he is upright and honorable, and by these means has won the good-will of a host of friends and acquaintances. A Democrat of the most unswerving stamp, he is a firm believer in the wisdom of free coinage.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Harmon was blessed with eleven children, all but one of whom survive. They are as follows: Alexander E., Ettie F., John P., Leonard M., George W., Walter A., Jesse M., Lulu P., Claude S. and Delbert. The two eldest sons are married and each has three children. Ettie is also married and is the mother of two children.