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The Montrose Journal Lucinda Harmon submitted by Terri Gail Ann Whitelaw Miller, 8379 Palm Springs Drive, Cordova, TN 38018 Vol. XIV, No. 11, Friday, March 10, 1899 OLD RESIDENT A Brief Sketch of Grandma Harmon and her Home. <drawing of home is here> In the hurry of every day life now people are prone to crowd to the background those persons who are too old to take an active part in the things of today and in the shadow of stately buildings springing up on every hand the unpretentious homes of the time that is passed are lost sight of. That this rule may find an exception in our midst we will this week devote some space to an old resident of this place whom all our people delight to honor, and to the building that has been her home for the past thirty-nine years, covering a period of time longer than the average allotted life of man. Montrose has gone through many changes, during that time all of which have been carefully noted by the subject of this sketch and about which she can interestingly talk. The person to whom we refer is Mrs. Lucinda Harmon, relict of Isaiah Harmon who departed this life April 28, 1878. "Grandma" as she is familiarly called by all, was born in Kentucky, March 12, 1814, and will, consequently, reach the eighty-fifth mile post on the journey of life next Sunday. Mrs. Harmon’s maiden name was Adams and she moved with her parents to Union County, Illinois in 1815, when but eleven months of age. In 1822 she removed with her family to Tennessee, where the principal events in her young life took place. It was here that she was wooed and won by Isaiah Harmon, her marriage taking place Jan. 4, 1833, at Dresden, two years after the death of her father, which took place in 1831. In 1844 the family set its face toward the north and west, and in that year Mr. and Mrs. Harmon and family journeyed from their home in Tennessee to Iowa, making the trip overland while Mrs. Harmon’s mother came by water. The family located at Nashville, (now Galland) and after remaining there eight years moved to Montrose, which place has been home ever since. Eight children were born to Mr. And Mrs. Harmon, namely: Paulina, Mary, George, Martha, Jane, Lydia and Elizabeth and Rebeca, the last two being twins. Of this number five are living, as follows: Paulina Cheesman, relict of the late Michael Cheesman, residing at the family home at the top of the Keokuk hill. Mary Withrow, residing with her husband at Croton, Iowa. Martha Arkwright, residing with her husband at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Jane Van Trump, a widow, living at Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. Lydia Rockwell, residing with her husband as Sioux City, Iowa. Mrs. Harmon was united with the M.E. church at her home in Tennessee in 1830 and with the church here by letter in 1854. She has been a life-long christian and has contributed her full share toward promoting the interests of the church. For a woman of her age she is in a remarkably good state of preservation, retaining her faculties, especially her memory, almost unimpaired. She is vigorous and active, and when the weather will permit finds no difficulty in making her way about town. During the summer she pieced thirteen quilts besides doing much other needle work. She is fond of reading and finds little difficulty in perusing ordinary print with the aid of glasses. She is a favorite with all, especially the young people, who delight in doing all possible for her pleasure and comfort, receiving in return the benediction of this elderly lady whose crown of years rests as a halo on a well spent life. Mrs. Harmon can possibly say what no other woman in Iowa can boast of and that is that she was a resident of three territories when they were crowned with statehood – Illinois, Tennessee and Iowa. Under the caption of this article appears a crude picture of the home of this venerable woman located on Main Street where she has resided continuously for nearly thirty-nine years. The building was erected in October, 1860, the work being done by her son George, with C. Stephens building the chimney and doing the plastering. The family occupied the building the following November. Within its walls have been happy and sad gatherings. Here the family have gathered at the bedside of a loved husband and father, as the lamp of life grew dim and went out and here fair brides have been claimed by stalwart, happy men. The first marriage took place Oct. 3, 1865, when Samuel Marshall led Miss L. Harmon to the altar. The next even of that nature was when I.C. Van Trump claimed Miss Jane Harmon as his bride. Here George Harmon was tendered his "in fare" dinner and was congratulated by his many friends on his happy marriage. Besides these events there have been many pleasant social and family gathering. As an evidence of the regard in which Mrs. Harmon is held we recall the fire which burned the drug store and adjoining buildings. The flames were fierce and "grandma’s" home was in danger of destruction. To save it it was necessary to tear down her store building adjoining. The time was short and quick work was necessary. Nothing daunted the men who went to work and in a short time had razed the building and saved the home from the devouring flames. Treasured away among the archives of the family are a number of rare and curious articles, among them being a hymn book. "The Psalms of David," printed in 1790. The book was the property of Mrs. Harmon’s grandfather, who was a preacher, and has been in the family for more than a hundred years. The original binding has long since disappeared but has been replaced in a neat manner by Mrs. Harmon’s grand daughter, Miss Emma G. Potter.
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