Fifth Generation

334. Walter HARMON was born on 13 January 1890 in Boone County, Indiana.

I found images from an article in a newspaper likely from Boone Co, IN, "Pioneers, Settlers Haunt Township's Old, Forgotten Cemeteries". There is no date, but it quotes Walter Harmon, born 1890, great grandson of James Harmon. Walter was said to have been a teacher for 47 years in Eagle Township, Boone County - but the censuses list him just as "farmer". He would have been at least 70 years old when he gave the information to the reporter so the article perhaps from the 1960's or 70's but couldn't have been much later.

Walter had long been a researcher of the family and stated he was the "last of the line" - he did have one daughter, Maxine, who married Lavern Dickerson in 1939. There are some errors - one in particular in reference to the kinship of Henry Taylor who died while visiting his relatives in Boone Co and is believed to be buried in the family plot along with James Harmon & his wife Philadelphia Dickerson. The cemetery is now on private property in Pike Township, east of Eagle Creek and called the Harmon/Cotton Cemetery. Only a few graves are discernable now and about five headstones. The Harmon family did sell this land to Cyrus Cotton but withheld the graveyard. The original deed from the heirs of John L. Harmon, states that he is buried there as well as another person whose given name is unreadable but may be his daughter Elizabeth or even Henry Taylor. Henry Taylor is referred to as a nephew of Philadelphia - he was not - he was a cousin by marriage to James Harmon. Henry Taylor was married to Elizabeth Byrd Harmon's niece Nancy Smith, daughter of Mildred Byrd & Edward Smith. The article also states that James Harmon was a native of Pulaski Co, KY - although his family did live there, James was born in 1797 when his parents were living in Russell C, VA.

The article implies that Walter was a great grandson of James Harmon - but he was not. Whether this was an error on the part of the reporter or an error in Walter's research, I have no way of knowing. Walter was a great grandson of John Bird Harmon, brother to James.

The marriage record is in digital format on FamilySearch.org. Walter Harmon married Ruth Courtney, 16 Oct 1912. He was born 13 Jan 1890, Boone, IN and his parents were Chas. E. Harmon and Jane Farly. Ruth was born 7 Jan 1892, Boone, IN, her parents were Michael C. Courtney and Hattie Blackburn.

1920 Census. Center Twp, Boone, IN, Hh 16
Walter Harmon, 29. Ruth, 28.
In Hh 19, is Michael C. Courtney and wife Hattie M.

1930 Census. Center Twp, Boone, IN
Walter Harmon, 39, married at age 22. Ruth, wife, age 37
Vern M., dau, age 8.
Hattie M. Courtney, mother-in-law, age 60, widow

1940 Census. Center Twp, Boone, IN Hh 78
Walter Harmon, age 50, b. IN. Lived in the same house in 1935.
Ruth, wife, 48.
Lavern Dickerson, son-in-law, age 20, b. IN - lived in the same place in 1935
Maxine Harmon, dau, 18, b. IN

Walter HARMON and Ruth COURTNEY were married on 16 October 1912 in Boone County, Indiana. Ruth COURTNEY was born on 7 June 1892 in Boone County, Indiana.

Ruth's parents were Michael C. Courtney and Hattie M. Blackburn, as listed on her marriage record.

1900 Census. Center Twp, Boone, IN, Hh 75
Michael Courtney, b. May 1863, age 37, married 9 years
Hattie M., b. Aug 1869, 30, 3 children
Ruth, dau, b. Jun 1892, age 7
Paul J., son, b. Aug 1894, age 5
Lawrance A., son, b. Oct 1898, age 1.

The family is found in the same place in 1910.

Walter HARMON and Ruth COURTNEY had the following children: