Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties-John B. Harshman


Portrait and Biographical Album of
Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties

Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893




JOHN B. HARSHMAN, who is engaged in general farming on section 26, Garfield Township, has been a resident of Dickinson County only since about 1885, but in the period that has since elapsed he has become widely and favorably known. He claims Ohio as the State of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Preble County on the 1st of May, 1857. His parents, Daniel W. and Mary Jane (Curry) Harshman, were also natives of the same county, where they spent their childhood days and were married. They became the parents of seven children, of whom John B. was the third in order of birth. The mother died on the 9th of September, 1876. The father survived her some years and passed away March 26, 1883.

A glance backward at the boyhood of our subject shows him a farmer lad, who in the winter season conned his lessons in the common schools, while in the summer he aided in the cultivation of the home farm. He was early inured to such work, and the occupation to which he was reared he has since followed. He continued to make his home in the Buckeye State until the spring of 1885. That year witnessed his removal to Kansas, and saw him located in Garfield Township, Dickinson County, where he has since resided. He now owns an interest in an arable tract of land of three hundred and twenty acres, which is located on section 26.

Since coming to this county, Mr. Harshman has taken quite a prominent part in public affairs, and for three years filled the office of Township Clerk with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He is quite prominent in religious work, and is a Presbyterian in belief, having united with that people in 1874. He has served as Elder of his church, has given liberally to its support, and done much for its upbuilding. He is a popular man, who wins friends wherever he goes and easily gains the confidence and good-will of those with whom he has been brought in contact, for his life his been well and worthily spent and such a character soon gains for its possessor high esteem.



(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for Dickinson County KS AHGP