JAMES A. HARPHAM
Page 677
JAMES A. HARPHAM
Page 677
|
JAMES A. HARPHAM. The history of any country, state or county must depend in a great measure upon the lives of those men who by industry, natural ability and perseverance have achieved success. For the interest with which it inspires the general reader therefore, a history of Mason County would in no measure be complete without a description of him whose name heads this sketch, and who is now living retired in the city of Havana. Mr. Harpham was born in Philadelphia, Pa., September 14, 1815, and is the son of Jonathan Harpham, whose birth took place in England. The latter came to America when a lad of fourteen years of age, locating in Philadelphia, where he was employed in merchandising. When ready to establish a home of his own, he was married to Miss Mary Bater, a native of Massachusetts. She departed this life a number of years ago when living in Marion County, this state, Jonathan Harpham also passed away in that county at the age of seventy-three years. He was actively interested in advancing the welfare of his adopted county, and during elections never failed to cast a Whig ticket. James A., of this sketch, was only three years of age at the time of his parents' removal from the east to Indiana, in which state they located in Dearborn County, and engaged actively in farming. In 1851, our subject came to Mason County, where he entered a quarter-section of land from the Government, and at the same time purchased a considerable amount of land in Havana Township. He immediately set to work to improve and cultivate his property, and that he has been more than ordinarily successful is evidenced by the fact that he is now living substantially retired from work of any kind, devoting himself to the sale of his city property, owning about fifty acres in the central portion of Havana. September, 1841, James A. Harpham and Miss Elizabeth Linn, were united in marriage. The lady was a native of Dearborn County, Ind., and the daughter of Joel and Elizabeth Linn, forth natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Harpham departed this life May 18, 1889, after having become the mother of four sons and three daughters. They bear the respective names of Albert S., who is located in Monroe County, Mo.; Mary, now Mrs. H. F. Williams, of St. Louis, Mo.; Charles L, a farmer in that state; Edwin L., a prominent attorney in Chicago; Flora, engaged in teaching in the Northampton College of Massachusetts; Anna, Mrs. L. Evers, residing in Sioux City, Iowa, and James A., Jr., who is engaged in farming in Monroe County, Mo. Mr. Harpham is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party. He is regarded as one of those men of progressive ideas who endeavor to keep pace with current affairs and his popularity is alike great in both business and social circles. He has resided in Havana since 1851. And throughout this section of the county has many warm and personal friends who fully appreciate his worth and his natural kindness. |