Mary J. Harmon

MRS. MARY J. HARMON, widow of L. H. Harmon, is located in the southeast quarter of section 28, township 34, range 21, in Richland township, Labette county, Kansas, and since the death of her husband has had the entire management of the farm. She has a thorough knowledge of business affairs, has met with marked success, and has greatly enhanced the value of her property by many judicious improvements.

L. H. Harmon, deceased, was born in Pickaway ccunty, Ohio, in 1836, and was a son of Eli and Anna Harmon. He was one of nine children, among them being Wesley, deceased, whose family now resides in Seattle, Washington; Melissa (Dunseth), of Portland, Oregon; and Diana (Williamson), whose husband is a druggist at Horton, Kansas. The remaining members of the family are deceased. When a boy, Mr. Harmon moved with his parents to Grant county, Indiana, where he attended the common schools, and remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-one years. He then traveled quite extensively, and returned home in 1861, to enter the army. He enlisted for three months in Company H, 8th Reg., Ind. Vol. Inf., afterward known as the "Bloody Eighth." He became second lieutenant, and then, first lieutenant, having reenlisted for three years' service. He was at the fall of Vicksburg, and in the Shenandoah Valley, and participated in 11 important engagements. He received a flesh wound at Shenandoah, Virginia, and was in the hospital at New Orleans for one year as a result of ill health caused by his experiences in the South. 0n March 10, 1870, he moved with his family to Labette county, Kansas, and, located in the southeast quarter of section 28, township 34, range 21, in Richland township, which had been filed upon by Charles Hitchborn. In June, 1870, the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway was put through, dividing the farm and leaving 102 acres on the west side, which Mrs. Harmon owns, the remainder being owned by J. M. Morgan. Mr. Harmon died in 1878, and his widow has since managed the affairs of the farm. During the last ten years she has made many great improvements, including the construction of an immense barn to take the place of the first one which had been blown down by a severe storm. She has also remodeled the residence and the outbuildings. The latter are finely situated on a convenient rise of ground, and face the main road running east and west. The drives from the road are bordered by large and handsome trees, and the location is all that could be desired, for a home.

In 1863 Mr. Harmon was united in marriage with Mary J. Seegar, who was born in Indiana, in 1843, and is a daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Hendricks) Seegar. She is of Scotch-Irish descent. Jonathan Seegar followed farming throughout his life, while four of his brothers were physicians; he was called to his final rest in 1872. Mrs. Harmon is one of eight children. The only other living member of the family is Jasper N. Seeger, who owns and resides on the old homestead in Indiana. Mrs. Harmon is a cousin of the wife of the late Bishop Wiley, the well known Methodist minister. Mary J. Seegar was sent to Columbus, Ohio, in early childhood, because of the death of her mother, and was, there reared by an aunt, up to the time of her marriage. Mrs. Harmon and her husband were the parents of four children, as follows: Anna M.; J. S.; Otto E.; and Grace. Anna M. (Bishop) lives in Oklahoma, where her husband is in the general merchandise business; they have four children. - Florence, Merle, Robert and Grace. J. S. married Jennie Harper, has one son, Elwin, and lives in Labette county. Otto E. is at home and is preparing to take up the study of medicine, having already completed a course in pharmacy. Grace (Clark) is the widow of a druggist of Joplin, Missouri, who died recently, leaving one daughter. In politics Mr. Harmon was a Republican, and held numerous township offices. He was a Mason, and his widow is a member of the Eastern Star lodge at Chetopa. Religiously, she is a Methodist, and helped to build the church at Chetopa.