MARTHA J. HARBISON, the estimable lady whose biography it is our pleasure to present to our readers, was born in Greenbriar county, Virginia, November 29, 1844, daughter of John and Emily (Milliner) Mason. The former born in Virginia, came West in 1853, by wagon and boat, landing at Keokuk, Iowa. There he obtained teams and went to Mount Pleasant, where he only remained a short time, and then came to Illinois, by team, settling where his daughter now lives. He bought 120 acres of wild timber land, on which he built a log-house, and there the family lived for many years, then sold and then rented and finally removed to Kansas, where he now resides. The subject's mother died in Missouri, when about seventy years of age, having been a native of Virginia, also. All the family on both sides were farmers, as far as can be discovered, except one member of the family, who operated a woolen mill in Virginia. Mrs. Harbison's grandfather, Milliner, was in the war of 1812.

Our subject remained at home until her marriage, which occurred September 23, 1863. After marriage her husband settled on the farm where she now resides in a fine brick residence that her husband built prior to his death, which occurred August 28, 1890. Mr. Harbison was born September 5, 1837, brother of Moses Harbison (see sketch). Mr. and Mrs. Harbison had four children, one of whom they lost, a daughter, Dolly, at the age of one year and six months. The living ones are: John W., born August 16, 1864, at home renting the old farm, married to Maggie Smith, in 1889. She was born February 26, 1871, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Lindsay) Smith. They have one child, James, born October 10, 1890. Mrs. Harbison's second child, Ella M., was born July 9, 1867, and married Frank Wood, February, 1890, have one girl, Lena, born March 8, 1891. The third child, Ida F., was born February 24, 1870, and she married Fred Lippert, and they have one child, Ernest E., born March 16, 1891.

Mr. and Mrs. Harbison were members of the Christian Church and all the family are church people. The son, James, is a strong Democrat. This lady is one of the best known and well liked in the county and well deserves a place in these pages.