| Notes |
- From Portrait and Biographical Album, Wapello County, Iowa (1887):
B.J. Harman, a prosperous farmer and stock-grower on section 5, Pleasant Township, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, May 15, 1828, and is a son of George and Juda (Whitmore) Harman, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania, but who moved to Ohio at an early day. On the 30th day of September, 1842, the family arrived in Jefferson County, Iowa, and there wintered, and in May of the following year moved to Wapello County, the elder Harman taking up a claim adjoining the farm on which his son now lives. He died on his original homestead, Nov. 4, 1864, at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a man well known to all the early settlers of Wapello County, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew him. His wife survived him over six years, dying Jan. 15, 1871.
B.J. Harman came to Iowa in company with his parents and remained with them until twenty-two years of age. On the 21st day of November, 1851, he was united in marriage with Catherine A. Dickens, born in Ohio, Jan. 19, 1831, the daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (Staley) Dickens. Her mother is dead, but her father yet survives, and is living in Campetine Township. One child blest this union, James A., born June 30, 1852, now living in Appanoose County, this State. Mrs. Harman died Nov. 21, 1854, and in 1858 Mr. Harman married Sarepta Cobler, a native of Indiana, who was born April 29, 1841, and the daughter of Lewis and Nancy Cobler. Her mother is deceased, but her father is living in Dahlonega Township. Of this union there were three children: Harvey, born April 26, 1860; Nancy C., Nov. 11, 1861; Clara B. Aug. 24, 1866.
Mr. Harman is the owner of 195 acres of fine farm land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, there being on the place a good frame dwelling, barn, and every convenience that tends to make it a fine stock and grain farm. Mr. and Mrs. Harman are members of the German Baptist Church, of which he has been a minister for a period of twenty years. Politically, Mr. H. is a Democrat, and has served his township as Assessor.
Obituary 14 June 1912, copied by Sharon Aasheim Sep 2000:
REV. B.J. HARMAN CALLED BY DEATH
Pioneer of County Died Last Night After Lingering Illness: Here Since 1843
Rev. Benjamin Jackson Harman, a pioneer of Wapello County, aged 84 years, died last evening at 8:45 o'clock at his home, 517 North Jefferson Street. The deceased had been seriously ill for the past nine months. He had resided in the country for the past sixty-nine years.
The funeral services will be held Sunday morning at 10 o'clock at the residence, conducted by the Rev. Mr. Holder of Batavia. Burial will be made in Dickinson cemetery, in Competine township.
Rev. Harman was one of the oldest farmers in the county. He was born May 15, 1829, in Harrison county, Ohio. In 1842 the family came to Jefferson county and the following year to Wapello county, locating in Pleasant township. For sixty-six years Mr. Harman lived on this farm, coming to Ottumwa in retirement three years ago. The deceased had been a German Baptist minister for forty-five years of his life, his church affiliation having been constant since childhood.
To the farmers of Wapello county, especially the older residents, the deceased was well known and held the respect of all his friends.
He leaves a wife and four children: James A. Harman, Centerville; Harvey Harman, of Ottumwa; Mrs. Kate Dailey, Batavia, and Mrs. Clara McDowell, Blakesburg. Three sisters and a brother also survive: Mrs. SUsan Yaryan, Taylor county, Iowa; Mrs Martha Carter, Ottumway; Mrs Theresa Allen, Bladensburg. A newphew M.A. Harman of Highland Center was a member of the household for many years.
|
1828 - 1912 (84 years)
[1] 
