HARLOW LANDPHAIR is one of the substantial farmers of Rush Township, Jo Daviess County, Ill., to whom the county is indebted for much of the prosperity and wealth for which it is noted. For more than half a century he has lived within its borders, and his present home on section 32 comprises 230 acres of some of the best land within its limits.

Our subject is a native of the Empire State, born May 20, 1820, in Brookfield, Madison County. He lived there until fourteen years of age, when his parents emigrated to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, settling in the town of Rockport. There our subject remained until August, 1838, when he decided to go farther west and to make for himself a home in Jo Daviess County. At this time he was but eighteen years of age. While on his way here from Ohio he was taken sick with fever and ague, and for nine months after his arrival he was unable to do any labor. His first work after recovery was for a short time husking corn in Elizabeth Township. Next he worked at cutting and splitting rails, or anything else his hands found to do. He continued working out until he was twenty-eight years of age, saving his money and laying the foundations of the prosperity which he is now enjoying. At the age last named he bought a quarter-section of Government land, of which he still holds the patent. On this he settled, and began to improve it and make for himself a home, and there, with the exception of two years, he has ever since lived. In the spring of 1850, smitten, like so many others, with the desire to try his fortune in the Golden State, he made the trip overland to California, and arriving there safely, engaged in mining for about two years. The result, however, did not reach his expectations, the labor was arduous, and success did not crown his efforts. Like many others, he turned his back upon the mines, and, coming back to his old home, resumed his life work of farming. His fine farm of 230 acres, well fenced and well improved, attests the wisdom of his choice. Though not growing in wealth as rapidly as was possible through some lucky stoke of fortune in the mines, his gains have been steady and uniform, and to-day there is no better farm in the township than the one of which he is the owner. It is admirably adapted for the purposes of general farming and stock-raising, in both of which branches he has been more than ordinarily successful.

Mr. Landphair has been twice married, his first wife, to whom he was wedded in Jo Daviess County, was Miss Hannah Arnold, who was the mother of five children, of whom four now survive. Their names are: Eunice, who is the wife of Leland Gates, of Arkansas; Elmer A. resides in Kansas; Sophronia died in infancy; Emma, who resides in Maine; and Jay and Solon C. live with their father. The mother of this family died in Rush Township in 1860. A woman of admirable character, her loss is severely felt by her husband and children.

The second marriage of Mr. Landphair took place in Monroe, Wis., July 19, 1862, his wife being Mrs. Jane (Gates) Senter, widow of George Senter, who died in Wisconsin in 1855, and daughter of Ashbel and Phebe (Read) Gates. By her first marriage she was the mother of two children, Charles L. and George. Mr. and Mrs. Landphair are the parents by this union of children: Martha M., who died at the age of eleven months; Sabra J. is wedded to Milton Flack; Fanny B. was the wife of William Cowles, with whom she removed to Kansas, and there died in December, 1887. Harry A. resides with his parents. The mother of this family was born in Allegan County, Mich., May 16, 1837, of which place her parents were pioneers.

Her father afterwards removed to Wisconsin, where he died, and her mother died in Warren, Ill. Both were worthy and highly esteemed people, respected by all who knew them.

A stanch Republican in his political views, and warmly supporting the policies and principles of this party, Mr. Landphair has yet never been an office-seeker, but has served his fellow-townsmen in office of Highway Commissioner. He and his wife both belong to the Evangelical Church, and in the community of which they are members are held in high estimation for the rectitude of their lives and their honorable principles.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889)