Alexander M. Harshaw

ALEXANDER M. HARSHAW, one of the representative farmers of Labette county, Kansas, owns and lives upon a well improved farm of 160, acres in Fairview township. He is engaged in general farming, - guided by modern ideas, - and has been very successful.

Mr. Harshaw was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1849, and is a Robert and Elizabeth (Emerick) Harshaw. Robert Harshaw was born in Ireland in 1810, came to this country with his parents, located in Butler county, Pennsylvania. He lived in that county until 1860, and in that year moved to Martin county, Indiana, where he lived until his death, in 1890. He married Elizabeth Emerick, who was born in 1819, and died in 1802, and they reared the following-named eight childen: George; John; Alexander M.; Robert J.; Margaret; M. Elizabeth; Anna; and Sarah.

Alexander M. Harshaw received his mental training in Butler county, Pennsylvania, and Martin county, Indiana, whither his parents had moved. After reaching his majority, he returned to Butler county, Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1875 went west to Colorado. In the fall of the same year he settled in Fairview township, Labette county, and purchased the south half of the northeast quarter, and the north half of the southeast quarter, of section 29, where he has since been located. He has made most of the improvements upon the place and has it under a high state of cultivation, having developed it into one of the best farms of the township. He is a man of estimable character, and a true friend and good neighbor.

In 1878 Mr. Harshaw was united in marriage with Ida Scott, a native of Illinois, and they have two children: Roscoe, born in 1884; and Grace, who was born in 1890. Fraternally, he is a member of the Oswego Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; the Knights and Ladies of Security; and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is independent in politics, favoring a protective tariff, free silver, and prohibition. He was treasurer of the township in 1899 and 1900. The family belong to the Methodist church.