My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Texas County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Henry Harmon was born in Greene County, Tenn., August 25, 1828, his parents being Philip and Catherine (Fry) Harmon, born in Jefferson County, Tenn., and Virginia, respectively. They were married in Tennessee, and there resided until 1857, when they came to Texas County, Mo., where the father worked at the blacksmith’s and wagon-maker’s trades until his death, in 1865, at the age of sixty-six years. He was a successful business man, but owing to going security for others, lost considerable money. He was a Democrat, and he and wife were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The latter’s death occurred in 1861, at the age of about fifty-two years. Six of their ten children are now living. Henry Harmon is their third child, and made his home with his parents until twenty-two years of age, and then began his career as a farmer, in which calling he has been quite successful. September 19, 1850, he was married to Sarah Carter, who was born in Tennessee, and died in Greene County of that State when twenty-two years old, having borne two children, George W., and Anderson, a farmer of the county. Her oldest son was a practicing physician of Texas County. Mr. Harmon took for his second wife Eliza Matilda, a daughter of Jesse Elmore. She was born in Bradley County, Tenn., February 9, 1829, and died in Texas County, Mo., when fifty-three years of age. To them was born one daughter, Martha E., wife of John Beck, a farmer of the county. After the death of his wife Mr. Harmon wedded Eliza Rippee, in 1870. She was born in Dickson County, Tenn., in 1831, and her union with Mr. Harmon resulted in the birth of four children, only one of whom is living, Ada. Those deceased are Robert L., Mary E. and Cordelia. Mr. and Mrs. Harmon are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F. He is a Democrat politically, and does all in his power to support the principles of his party.

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This family biography is one of 110 biographies included in The History of Texas County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Texas County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Texas County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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