Frank Marion Harr

FRANK MARION HARR is city engineer of Parsons. He is a competent and thoroughly versed man in his profession, and he trained himself for that career.

His Harr ancestors came from Germany and settled in New York State in colonial times. His paternal grandfather, John M. Harr, was born in Ohio in 1820, spent his life as a farmer and died in Van Wert County of the Buckeye State in 1897. He was an active republican in politics. Of his children four are now deceased, and those still living, the uncles and aunts of Frank M. Harr, are: Corwin, a farmer in Van Wert County, Ohio; Demie, wife of Ben Britson, a retired farmer of Van Wert County; Abe, who lives retired in Woodward County, Oklahoma; Ad, a carpenter in Van Wert, Ohio; John M., engaged in the furniture business at Springfield, Missouri; Mary, wife of E. H. Snyder, a clothing merchant at Convoy, Ohio; Emma, wife of Burt Stewart, a retired farmer in Van Wert County; and P. A., a hardware merchant at Aurora, Missouri.

U. S. Harr, father of the Parsons city engineer, was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, November 13, 1856, and died at Parsons, December 11, 1913. His early life was spent in Van Wert County, and in 1880 he moved to Parsons and was married there. He was for thirty-three years in the employ of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway as bridge and building foreman. An active republican, he was also a prominent fraternal man and was affiliated with Parsons Lodge, No. 117, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Parsons Chapter, No. 39, Royal Arch Masons, Coeur de Leon Commandery, Knights Templar, Fort Scott Consistory, No. 4, of the Scottish Rite, and also belonged to Parsons Lodge, No. 1, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. U. S. Harr married Belle M. Waters. She was born in Champaign County, Illinois, March 11, 1861, and is still living at Parsons, where she married Mr. Harr. Her children are: C. A., a rodman at Parsons; Frank M.; Ethel Maude, wife of Fred Jarrell, a machinist at Osage Junction, Oklahoma; and Reba Kathleen, wife of W. H. Franklin, a railway brakeman living at Parsons.

Frank Marion Harr was born at Parsons, November 9, 1887, and has spent practically his entire life within the limits of that city. He attended the public schools, including the high school, but left his books and studies at the age of eighteen to take up the practical duties of the world. Mr. Harr began as driver of a delivery wagon, and followed various occupations for several years. In 1907 at the age of twenty he secured his first experience in engineering as a rodman, and by the competency displayed and the faithfulness to the discharge of every duty was advanced from one grade of the service to another until he became assistant engineer for Parsons in 1909, and on April 17, 1916, was appointed to his present post as city engineer. Mr. Harr in this capacity has charge of all the important details of municipal improvement. His offices are in the courthouse.

He is a democrat, is affiliated with Parsons Lodge, No. 117, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Parsons Lodge, No. 1, Ancient Order United Workmen, and his home is at 1327 Chess Street. On April 9, 1911, at Parsons he married Miss Kathryn Dempsey, daughter of E. H. and Mary Dempsey of Fairfield, Iowa. Her father is associated with The Cable Lumber Company. Mr. and Mrs. Harr have two children: Reba La Vaun, born March 25, 1912; and Frank Emert, born February 7, 1914.

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