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From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 459-460
SIMON HARKER, deceased, one of the well-known and highly respected merchants and stock dealers of Cuba City, took a very important part in the upbuilding of this portion of Grant county, and his loss was deeply felt when death claimed him for its own. He was born in England Sept. 30, 1832, a son of George and Elizabeth HARKER, who came to Big Patch, Wis., settled on a farm, and there lived and died. In their family there were six children: John, George, Isabella, Anna, Sarah, and our subject. Anna is still living, and wife of Bonson SPACELY; John is a resident of Bremer county, Iowa.
Simon HARKER received his early education in his native land, but also attended the district schools of Wisconsin. While still in England he met with a sad accident in a woolen mill, which resulted in the loss of his left arm. In spite of this misfortune Mr. HARKER managed to accumulate sufficient to purchase a farm at Big Patch, and later bought another farm at Elk Grove, where he resided for some years, then removed to Galena, and engaged in smelting ore for eight years. About this time he returned to Big Patch, lived there four or five years, and then came to Cuba City and embarked in business with a Mr. COOPER and a Mr. WILSON under the firm name of R. A. WILSON & Co., continuing this connection until within two years of his death, when he was compelled to retire on account of failing health. His death occurred Feb. 22, 1896.
On July 9, 1856, Mr. HARKER was married to Miss Mary A. RAW, of Grant county, a daughter of Thomas and Annie (BONSON) RAW, both natives of England, who came to America after marriage, settling in Platteville, Mrs. RAW being the only white woman in that village for a number of years. Later Mr. RAW removed to Big Patch, purchased prairie land, and made a home for his family, remaining there until his death, which occurred in 1868, his wife surviving him until 1890. Their family consisted of four children: Margaret married Thomas PETERS, resided first in Grant county, then removed to Iowa, where Mrs. PETERS died, in 1896, leaving a family; Simon is now a resident of Iowa; Mary A. is Mrs. HARKER; Sarah, wife of John BELL, resides in Springfield, Mo., and has a family. Mrs. HARKER was born at Big Patch Oct. 14, 1838, received a district-school education, and is a very pleasant and agreeable lady. To herself and husband were born children as follows: Annie, born in January, 1860, wife of Thomas H. PEACOCK, residing near Big Patch, has four children, Mary A., Roscoe, Alice and William, Edward, born in August 1862, died when fifteen years old. Thomas Grant, born in 1865, married Miss Sarah PEACOCK, and now resides at Big Patch; he has two sons, William and Alvin. Sarah, born in 1867, wife of George DENT, of Cuba City, has one daughter, Gladys, and one son, Kenneth. Isabella, born in 1869, wife of George HOFFMAN, of Cuba City, has no family. Mary H., born in 1874, graduated from the high school of Cuba City, and in 1899 married Charles WATERS, of Platteville, a farmer of that locality. Hayes D., born in 1876, studied in the high school of Cuba City, and is now a watchmaker; he married Kathryn E. YEAGER, of Grundy Center, Iowa. Jennie, born in April, 1879, was educated in Cuba City, and married John BONSON, of Platteville.
Mr. HARKER never took any active part in politics, but was prevailed upon to accept the office of mayor one term, and that of assessor several years, as well as other local positions, his sterling integrity making him peculiarly fitted to hold positions of public trust, a fact which his fellow townsmen recognized. When casting his vote Mr. HARKER was always influenced by his conscience, supporting the man he thought best fitted for the office. He took an active part in the erection of the M. E. church building, and, on account of his zeal, it may almost be regarded as a memorial of his virtues. Both he and Mrs. HARKER early connected themselves with this church, and Mrs. HARKER trained her children in the same faith. Strict or rigid integrity, positive convictions, superior intelligence placed him and kept him in the front in all matters of morals or public interest. The memory of the good man, whose life history here appears, will linger in the minds of the people of Cuba City for many years, and those among them who can point to deeds of charity and gentle kindness of his part are legion.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck