E. B. HARPHAM
Page 169

Dr. Harpham was born in the city of Philadelphia, in the year 1814, and removed to what is now Ohio county, Indiana, in 1819, and from there to Mason county, Illinois, locating at Havana, in November, 1844, or three years after the organization of Mason county. He has since then, and until the past few years, been actively engaged in the practice of medicine, and since 1856 interested in the drug business in Havana. He was county school commissioner several years and president of the first board of trustees of the town of Havana. We are handed by Dr. Harpham the original list of the inhabitants of Havana, when a canvass was made in 1848, when the people were called on to vote for or against incorporation, which we shall copy in the history of Havana. He also hands us the original draft of the first ordinance passed by the town trustees after incorporation, and a list of the subscribers, and the amount subscribed, and the amount paid by each of the subscribers to the Illinois River Railroad, now the P., P. & J. R. R. Since his residence in Mason county his interests have been very prominently identified with the public welfare; being a large property holder, and his experience and business abilities have given his opinions great weight in the community where he resides. Did space permit we might enlarge to any extent on the incidents and experience of Dr. Harpham in the early history of his practice in this country, but we must forbear. Having by rigid economy accumulated a large fortune, he is now living in its quiet enjoyment, in a fine home, corner of Main street and Broadway. Though well advanced in years, the hand of time has touched him kindly, and he bids fair for great longevity and a ripe old age.

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