HARRISON HARLAN. All acquainted with the agricultural affairs of Radnor Township, or with its political workings, will immediately recognize this name as that of a man prominently identified with both. Mr. Harlan is now serving his second term as Township Supervisor, having been first elected to the office in the spring of 1889 and re-elected in 1890. He has held the place of School Director, performing the manifold duties of that position in a manner that commended him to teachers and patrons. In the work of his political party, the Republican, he is active and useful, showing his faith by his works and never failing to deposit a vote in the interests of good government. As a man, intelligent, enterprising, genial and honest, he gains respect and makes many warm friends.

Our subject is a representative in the third generation of two pioneer families of this county, and is a son of a gentleman and a lady well known in the township for a number of years. His father, John Harlan, was born in the Buckeye State, and his mother, Caroline (Please) Harlan, in the Old Dominion. After their marriage, which took place in this county, they settled on section 29, Radnor Township, where the wife and mother died in 1855. The husband and father is now living in Harvey County, Kan. They had five sons and one daughter, he of whom we write being the second son. 

The natal day of Harrison Harlan was the 12th of February, 1842. He grew to manhood in the township where he still makes his home, pursuing his studies in the common schools and from his early years devoting himself to farming as a life work. He now owns the old homestead of two hundred and eighty acres, upon which he has made many substantial improvements, erecting a first-class set of buildings and surrounding his family with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He has been abundantly prospered in the vocations of general agriculture and stock-raising, to which he gives his attention, ranking among the solid men of the township. 

Mr. Harlan was fortunate in winning as his wife a lady of find character, domestic skill and intelligence, who, as companion, mother and neighbor, is worthy of regard. She was known in her girlhood as Miss Hannah L. Gordon, was born in this township January 10, 1847, and married at her home, November 6, 1863. Her parents, Samuel and Hannah (Bush) Gordon, were early settlers of this county and departed this life in Radnor Township. She was their only child. Mr. and Mrs. Harlan have had twelve children, three of whom died in infancy, and Harry in later years. The living children are: Ida M., Frank E., Cora A., Amy I., John, Laura E., Fred and Elsie C. Two of them have left the parental home for their own abodes, Ida being the wife of Charles T. Harwood, and Cora having married A. J. Dunlap. 

Our subject joined the Union army in 1864, was assigned to Company A, Thirty-second Illinois Veteran Infantry, and was in the service nine months. During that time the only severe battle in which he participated was that of Bentonville, N. C. He was mustered out at Washington, D. C., and returning to his former place of abode resumed his peaceful occupation of farming. Mr. Harlan served the township as Assessor one year, and was re-elected the second year, but not having the time to spare, did not serve. 

In connection with this biographical review, the reader will notice on another page a view of the home of our subject with its surroundings.

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