Jacob M. HARSHBARGER H. W. Beckwith History of Montgomery County, Indiana (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881) p 453 Jacob M. HARSHBARGER, farmer, Ladoga, was b. in Botetourt Co Va March 10, 1828 and is the son of Jacob and Salome Harshbarger. The father was b. in Lancaster Co PA June 24, 1792 and the mother in Botetourt Co Va May 17, 1796. They moved form Va. to Montgomery Co In in 1831, and settled in Clark Twp, where they lived an honorable and respected life. He died Feb 8, 1875 and his wife about 1872. Mr. H. the subject of this sketch, is one of the energetic and respected citizens of the County, and has taken an active part in its early improvements. April 13, 1848, he marr. Miss Mary MYERS, daughter of Henry and Hannah Arnold) Myers. She was b. in Botetourt Co Va Oct 28, 1826 and came with her parents to Mont. Co. in 1833 and settled in Scott Twp. They were among the respected pioneers of the County. The father departed this life Feb 25, 1875, in his 78th year and the mother Jan 7, 1876, in her 69th year, both having died of paralysis. Mr. H's family are: Salome E, wife of H. Davidson ; Amanda and George W, and two deceased, Marion m. and Henry M. Mr. H. is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and is a stalwart republican. He owns 500 acres of land and Mrs. Harshbarger owns 750. Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain County, Indiana Chapman Brothers, 1893 - p 373 Jacob M. Harshbarger, residing on Section 6, Clark Township, is one of the foremost of the citizens who have aided in the advancement and development of Montgomery County. He is a leading farmer and stock raiser, one of the ablest of its business men and financiers, and one who has been long and honorably identified with its public life. He is also prominently connected with some of its leading institutions, and has been very influential in advancing social, educational and religious interests in this community. Mr. Harshbarger was born March 10, 1828 in Botetourt Co VA on the old family homestead at the Harshbarger Grist Mill on Tinker Creek two miles from Roanoke City. In the fall of 1831 his parents left the old Virginia home with their children to seek a new one in the wilds of this county. His father purchased 1400 acres of land of the Government and lived in a rented cabin on Section 17, Clark Township temporarily. In the spring of 1833 he removed with his family into the more commodious house that he had built on his own land on Section 7 of the same township. Jacob M. Harshbarger was reared in that home, in which he lived some 17 years. His education was conducted in the subscription schools of Ladoga, and among his teachers was William R. Nefsinger, who afterwards became a member of the Legislature in this state. David Shannon was also one of his teachers. He subsequently became County Surveyor and he rose to the rank of the first educator in the county. At the age of 16 Mr. Harshbarger left school and worked on his father's farm until he was 22. In the meantime he was married at the age of 20 years, one month and three days, and two years later removed from his father's place, March 10, 1850 to that of his father-in-law, upon which he still resides. He and his wife lived with and took care of her parents until their death, when Mrs. Harshbarger inherited their property. Mr. H. has made many valuable improvements on the old Myers homestead since it came under his control, including a handsome and commodious residence and a large and well arranged barn. Our subject has his farm in a fine condition, its appointments of the best and everything is kept in good order. He and his wife owned at one time 1400 acres of land, and until very recently had 987 acres of realty. He is much interested in raising fine stock, and has some of the best in the county, making a specialty of breeding first class Shorthorn cattle, of which he has a noble herd, including a thoroughbred bull of that breed. He raises blooded horses, has a great many high graded Poland China hogs and keeps the celebrated Shropshire sheep, there being in his flock two ewes recently imported at a cost of $65 each. Mr. Harshbarger's character, keen insight into business matters, wide experience, large public spirit and eminent fitness in every way for responsible positions early brought him to the front and he has done valuable service in various official capacities, while his name is associated with many enterprises of incalculable benefit to the township and county. He was Co. Commissioner 3 years from Dec 1879 until Dec 1882, and for 27 years was School Director in his district, always a friend to education and doing all in his power to raise the standard of education. He was Director of the Co. Fair at New Ross for 3 years and Director of the Montgomery County Fair at Crawfordsville for 11 years. He has been repeatedly solicited by his friends to accept the nomination for Representative from his county but has declined the honor. Mr. H. is a republican, a strong protectionist and is unswerving in his allegiance to his party. He belongs to the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association and President of the County Council of the association. He is Treasurer of the Farmer's Mutual Benefit Insurance Company of Montgomery and Fountain Counties and ever since the Bank of Ladoga was organized has been President of that bank. He has always used his influence to introduce public improvements and was one of the principal men who were instrumental in securing the Whitesville and Ladoga Free Turnpike as well as in having the roads graveled and bridges built to facilitate travel. Mr. H. is a member of the Horse Thief Detective Association and was one of its captains for a number of years. He has long been identified with the Masonic Fraternity and has held the office of Sr. Warden of the Ladoga Lodge NO. 187. In his church relations he is associated with the Christian denomination and is a deacon in the Christian Church at Ladoga. He was one of the building committee at the time their house of worship was erected being one of the prime movers in having it built, and he was very active in collecting money to pay for it, besides contributing liberally himself. April 13, 1848, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Masry M. Myers, a daughter of Henry and Hanna (Arnold) Myers. Her birthplace was near that of her husband on Tinker's Creek in Botetourt county, VA and she was born Oct 28, 1826. Her father was born Jan 1, 1798 about 1/4 mile from the early home of our subject, and her mother was born Oct 3, 1806 near Brough's Mill, Botetourt Co. The father of Henry Myers was John Myers, Sr., who was the son of a German and a native of Pa, whence he had migrated to Botetourt Co. Hannah Arnold was the daughter of Daniel Arnold, who removed from Pa. to Virginia in 1795. His father came from Germany to this country. In 1833 the Myers family left Virginia to settle in this state. For 3 years they lived in Scott Township, near Parkersburg, and then Mr. Myers bought the farm upon which our subject now reside and this was his home until his death Dec 27, 1875. His wife passed away Jan 8, 1876. They had but two children, Mrs. H. and her brother, Daniel who was born Dec 13, 1830 and died Feb 11, 1841. Mr. Myers was a reserved man, who attended strictly to business and accumulated a handsome property, including 524 acres. Mr. and Mrs. H. have had 5 children, of whom these 3 are living: Saloma E, who was born Jan 11, 1854 and is now the wife of Henry Davidson, Union Township; Amanda A. born Jun e17, 1845 now the wife of the Hon. EB Brookshire who is serving his second term in Congress as Representative of this district and George W, born Oct 20, 1858 married Eva J. Canine and resides with his father. He has two children: Earl M, born April 14, 1885 and Mary Ethel born Oct 29, 1886. Death has taken from our subject and his wife two children: Marion M who was born Feb 3, 1851 and died August 15, 1852 and Henry M. born April 5, 1852 and died Sept 20 1876. He had married Lavina Peffley, who was born in February 1855 and they had one child, Lula May born Aug 31, 1876. Mr. H. is a true lover of home and is intensely patriotic at least as regards this part of the great Republic. He has traveled in KS and as far north in the US as Wisconsin and not long ago spent 5 weeks in Baltimore and Washington, but his convictions remain unshaken that there is no place like central Indiana and no county equal to his own. Crawfordsville Daily Journal Monday September 15, 1919 Uncle Jacob M. HARSHBARGER as he was familiarly called will be sadly missed by the people of Montgomery County. We have been intimately associated with him for the past 30 years in every day life, in society and in farm organization sof different kinds and in all these different avenues, his sincerity was so pronounced that he was not only termed and interested worker but an admired leader. He was one of the originators of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Montgomery, Fountain and Parke Counties more than 40 years ago, was one of the prominent men in organizing the Montgomery County Fair Association and has done as much to keep up the interest of Farmers' Institutes in central Indiana as any other man. Not only was he a leader and a useful man years ago when these organizations were in their infancy but has always continued to be interested in his fellow men and the unusual knowledge that he had acquired was willingly imported to others he never grew tired of trying to help others his self acquired intelligence and broad minded views on all local and public affairs kept him apace with the times till the last. Scores of young farmers in this county have admired Mr. Harshbarger to the extent that they have endeavored to adopt and follow his plans. He has done much to dignify the vocation of farming, always placing it on an equality with the highest professions. He was a noble citizen and a man among men, admired and loved by men of all occupations. He possessed peculiar social acquirements that won those who came in contact with him. He has not lived in vain for such a life will continue to live, the nobility that he always practiced and the exalted prupose that he always had in mind placed him in the honored list and one of the most exemplary and useful men that ever lived in Montgomery County. Either in the capacity of an official or common citizen he always made good and this model life of 91 years that so peacefully was brought to a close is an important epoch in our history and will be sacredly referred to for years and years. All this did not come by chance but it took a pronounced effort on his part to accomplish all these things. The study of such a life decides the frivolous question that so often is to the mind of the young man whether or not it pays to try to be useful. County, state and nation need more such men, perhaps he died not knowing with what high esteem and admiration the people of Montgomery County had for him but did know that he had always tried to do his part in a noble, friendly conscientous way in the home, church or public affairs and he has been a witness to the result of some of that good seed sown and many of the rest of us will continue to profit thereby. Signed - CEB -- Jeffery G. Scism, IBSSG ~~ "Proponents of each side are vying with determination to prove their ignorance is greater than the other." President Andrew Jackson, discussing a bill going through the US Congress. Visit http://ibssg.org/ For The Blacksheep website, Montgomery County, Putnam County, and Fountain County USGenWeb sites. MORE... Putnam County Indiana Biographies and Obituaries http://ibssg.org/putnam/bios/ Montgomery County Indiana Biographies and Obituaries http://ibssg.org/montgomery/bios/ Fountain County Indiana Biographies and Obituaries http://ibssg.org/fountain/vitals/bios/

Jeff: I'm very interested in your post with information about the Harshbarger's from Botetourt County. Before I get into a lot of detail about my interest in the Harshbarger family, I would like to know if you descend from them and if you have much information on them? To my knowledge I do not descend from them; however, my JAMES family from Botetourt County seems to have been closely associated with the Harshbargers, both in VA and IN. I look forward to your reply. Jim Messersmith Rockville, VA At 09:54 AM 3/2/2008 , you wrote: > Jacob M. HARSHBARGER > >H. W. Beckwith History of Montgomery County, Indiana (Chicago: HH Hill, >1881) p 453 > >Jacob M. HARSHBARGER, farmer, Ladoga, was b. in Botetourt Co Va March >10, 1828 and is the son of Jacob and Salome Harshbarger. The father was >b. in Lancaster Co PA June 24, 1792 and the mother in Botetourt Co Va >May 17, 1796. They moved form Va. to Montgomery Co In in 1831, and >settled in Clark Twp, where they lived an honorable and respected life. >He died Feb 8, 1875 and his wife about 1872. Mr. H. the subject of this >sketch, is one of the energetic and respected citizens of the County, >and has taken an active part in its early improvements. April 13, 1848, >he marr. Miss Mary MYERS, daughter of Henry and Hannah Arnold) Myers. >She was b. in Botetourt Co Va Oct 28, 1826 and came with her parents to >Mont. Co. in 1833 and settled in Scott Twp. They were among the >respected pioneers of the County. The father departed this life Feb 25, >1875, in his 78th year and the mother Jan 7, 1876, in her 69th year, >both having died of paralysis. Mr. H's family are: Salome E, wife of H. >Davidson ; Amanda and George W, and two deceased, Marion m. and Henry M. >Mr. H. is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and is a stalwart >republican. He owns 500 acres of land and Mrs. Harshbarger owns 750. > >Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain County, >Indiana Chapman Brothers, 1893 - p 373 >Jacob M. Harshbarger, residing on Section 6, Clark Township, is one of >the foremost of the citizens who have aided in the advancement and >development of Montgomery County. He is a leading farmer and stock >raiser, one of the ablest of its business men and financiers, and one >who has been long and honorably identified with its public life. He is >also prominently connected with some of its leading institutions, and >has been very influential in advancing social, educational and religious >interests in this community. Mr. Harshbarger was born March 10, 1828 in >Botetourt Co VA on the old family homestead at the Harshbarger Grist >Mill on Tinker Creek two miles from Roanoke City. In the fall of 1831 >his parents left the old Virginia home with their children to seek a new >one in the wilds of this county. His father purchased 1400 acres of land >of the Government and lived in a rented cabin on Section 17, Clark >Township temporarily. In the spring of 1833 he removed with his family >into the more commodious house that he had built on his own land on >Section 7 of the same township. Jacob M. Harshbarger was reared in that >home, in which he lived some 17 years. His education was conducted in >the subscription schools of Ladoga, and among his teachers was William >R. Nefsinger, who afterwards became a member of the Legislature in this >state. David Shannon was also one of his teachers. He subsequently >became County Surveyor and he rose to the rank of the first educator in >the county. At the age of 16 Mr. Harshbarger left school and worked on >his father's farm until he was 22. In the meantime he was married at the >age of 20 years, one month and three days, and two years later removed >from his father's place, March 10, 1850 to that of his father-in-law, >upon which he still resides. He and his wife lived with and took care of >her parents until their death, when Mrs. Harshbarger inherited their >property. Mr. H. has made many valuable improvements on the old Myers >homestead since it came under his control, including a handsome and >commodious residence and a large and well arranged barn. Our subject has >his farm in a fine condition, its appointments of the best and >everything is kept in good order. He and his wife owned at one time 1400 >acres of land, and until very recently had 987 acres of realty. He is >much interested in raising fine stock, and has some of the best in the >county, making a specialty of breeding first class Shorthorn cattle, of >which he has a noble herd, including a thoroughbred bull of that breed. >He raises blooded horses, has a great many high graded Poland China hogs >and keeps the celebrated Shropshire sheep, there being in his flock two >ewes recently imported at a cost of $65 each. Mr. Harshbarger's >character, keen insight into business matters, wide experience, large >public spirit and eminent fitness in every way for responsible positions >early brought him to the front and he has done valuable service in >various official capacities, while his name is associated with many >enterprises of incalculable benefit to the township and county. He was >Co. Commissioner 3 years from Dec 1879 until Dec 1882, and for 27 years >was School Director in his district, always a friend to education and >doing all in his power to raise the standard of education. He was >Director of the Co. Fair at New Ross for 3 years and Director of the >Montgomery County Fair at Crawfordsville for 11 years. He has been >repeatedly solicited by his friends to accept the nomination for >Representative from his county but has declined the honor. Mr. H. is a >republican, a strong protectionist and is unswerving in his allegiance >to his party. He belongs to the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association and >President of the County Council of the association. He is Treasurer of >the Farmer's Mutual Benefit Insurance Company of Montgomery and Fountain >Counties and ever since the Bank of Ladoga was organized has been >President of that bank. He has always used his influence to introduce >public improvements and was one of the principal men who were >instrumental in securing the Whitesville and Ladoga Free Turnpike as >well as in having the roads graveled and bridges built to facilitate >travel. Mr. H. is a member of the Horse Thief Detective Association and >was one of its captains for a number of years. He has long been >identified with the Masonic Fraternity and has held the office of Sr. >Warden of the Ladoga Lodge NO. 187. In his church relations he is >associated with the Christian denomination and is a deacon in the >Christian Church at Ladoga. He was one of the building committee at the >time their house of worship was erected being one of the prime movers in >having it built, and he was very active in collecting money to pay for >it, besides contributing liberally himself. April 13, 1848, our subject >was united in marriage with Miss Masry M. Myers, a daughter of Henry and >Hanna (Arnold) Myers. Her birthplace was near that of her husband on >Tinker's Creek in Botetourt county, VA and she was born Oct 28, 1826. >Her father was born Jan 1, 1798 about 1/4 mile from the early home of >our subject, and her mother was born Oct 3, 1806 near Brough's Mill, >Botetourt Co. The father of Henry Myers was John Myers, Sr., who was the >son of a German and a native of Pa, whence he had migrated to Botetourt >Co. Hannah Arnold was the daughter of Daniel Arnold, who removed from >Pa. to Virginia in 1795. His father came from Germany to this country. >In 1833 the Myers family left Virginia to settle in this state. For 3 >years they lived in Scott Township, near Parkersburg, and then Mr. Myers >bought the farm upon which our subject now reside and this was his home >until his death Dec 27, 1875. His wife passed away Jan 8, 1876. They had >but two children, Mrs. H. and her brother, Daniel who was born Dec 13, >1830 and died Feb 11, 1841. Mr. Myers was a reserved man, who attended >strictly to business and accumulated a handsome property, including 524 >acres. Mr. and Mrs. H. have had 5 children, of whom these 3 are living: >Saloma E, who was born Jan 11, 1854 and is now the wife of Henry >Davidson, Union Township; Amanda A. born Jun e17, 1845 now the wife of >the Hon. EB Brookshire who is serving his second term in Congress as >Representative of this district and George W, born Oct 20, 1858 married >Eva J. Canine and resides with his father. He has two children: Earl M, >born April 14, 1885 and Mary Ethel born Oct 29, 1886. Death has taken >from our subject and his wife two children: Marion M who was born Feb 3, >1851 and died August 15, 1852 and Henry M. born April 5, 1852 and died >Sept 20 1876. He had married Lavina Peffley, who was born in February >1855 and they had one child, Lula May born Aug 31, 1876. Mr. H. is a >true lover of home and is intensely patriotic at least as regards this >part of the great Republic. He has traveled in KS and as far north in >the US as Wisconsin and not long ago spent 5 weeks in Baltimore and >Washington, but his convictions remain unshaken that there is no place >like central Indiana and no county equal to his own. > >Crawfordsville Daily Journal >Monday September 15, 1919 > >Uncle Jacob M. HARSHBARGER as he was familiarly called will be sadly >missed by the people of Montgomery County. We have been intimately >associated with him for the past 30 years in every day life, in society >and in farm organization sof different kinds and in all these different >avenues, his sincerity was so pronounced that he was not only termed and >interested worker but an admired leader. He was one of the originators >of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Montgomery, Fountain and >Parke Counties more than 40 years ago, was one of the prominent men in >organizing the Montgomery County Fair Association and has done as much >to keep up the interest of Farmers' Institutes in central Indiana as any >other man. Not only was he a leader and a useful man years ago when >these organizations were in their infancy but has always continued to be >interested in his fellow men and the unusual knowledge that he had >acquired was willingly imported to others he never grew tired of trying >to help others his self acquired intelligence and broad minded views on >all local and public affairs kept him apace with the times till the last. > >Scores of young farmers in this county have admired Mr. Harshbarger to >the extent that they have endeavored to adopt and follow his plans. He >has done much to dignify the vocation of farming, always placing it on >an equality with the highest professions. He was a noble citizen and a >man among men, admired and loved by men of all occupations. He possessed >peculiar social acquirements that won those who came in contact with >him. He has not lived in vain for such a life will continue to live, the >nobility that he always practiced and the exalted prupose that he always >had in mind placed him in the honored list and one of the most exemplary >and useful men that ever lived in Montgomery County. Either in the >capacity of an official or common citizen he always made good and this >model life of 91 years that so peacefully was brought to a close is an >important epoch in our history and will be sacredly referred to for >years and years. All this did not come by chance but it took a >pronounced effort on his part to accomplish all these things. The study >of such a life decides the frivolous question that so often is to the >mind of the young man whether or not it pays to try to be useful. >County, state and nation need more such men, perhaps he died not knowing >with what high esteem and admiration the people of Montgomery County had >for him but did know that he had always tried to do his part in a noble, >friendly conscientous way in the home, church or public affairs and he >has been a witness to the result of some of that good seed sown and many >of the rest of us will continue to profit thereby. > >Signed - CEB > >-- > > >Jeffery G. Scism, IBSSG >~~ > >"Proponents of each side are vying with determination to prove their >ignorance is greater than the other." > >President Andrew Jackson, discussing a bill going through the US Congress. > > > >Visit http://ibssg.org/ >For The Blacksheep website, Montgomery County, Putnam County, and Fountain >County USGenWeb sites. MORE... > >Putnam County Indiana Biographies and Obituaries >http://ibssg.org/putnam/bios/ > >Montgomery County Indiana Biographies and Obituaries >http://ibssg.org/montgomery/bios/ > >Fountain County Indiana Biographies and Obituaries >http://ibssg.org/fountain/vitals/bios/ > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >The Second Sunday in each month will set aside for a "Brick Wall" Roll >Call. Please always put the surname you seek in the subject and tell us >something about your Brick Wall person. >To contact Listowner: >Rena Worthen doreatr@rbnet.com >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >VABOTETO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > >-- >No virus found in this incoming message. >Checked by AVG Free Edition. >Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.3/1306 - Release Date: 3/1/2008 >5:41 PM