Har1an L. Brewer, proprietor of the "Brewer
House " at Rock Falls, was born at Black
Rock, N. Y., Feb. 7, 1845. His parents,
Addison and Maria (Adams) Brewer, farmers,
came West in 1846 and settled at Binghamton, Lee Co., Ill., on land which they bought of
the Government. After a residence there of five
years they removed to Dixon, Ill., where Mr. B.
started a wagon shop and pursued his business there
a year. He then sold out and returned to Binghamton, purchasing a hotel, which he conducted
until his death, which was caused by his team running away and throwing him out upon the ground.
When 16 years old, young Harlan enlisted in Co.
B, 12th Ill. Vol. Inf., Sept. 13, 1861, under Col.
John McArthur, and participated in many important engagements, among which were the battles
of Fort Doualdson, Shiloh, Corinth, in front of Atlanta, etc., and in Sherman's march to the sea. He
veteranized Dec. 31, 1863, and took part in the Grand
Review at Washington. He was mustered out at
Louisville, Ky., July 10, 1865.
Returning from the war, he for two years was a
brakeman on the Illinois Central Railroad, and then
promoted as conductor. He followed railroading
for 13 years. He next took charge of the "Baltic
House " as proprietor, changing its name to " Brewer
House," which he is now successfully conducting.
He is a member of the A. 0. U. W. and of the G.
A. R. In politics he is a Republican, and he has
held the offices of Village Trustee and Constable at
Rock Falls.
He was married Dec. 31, 1866 (no record in IL), to Miss Amelia
Doolittle, a native of Binghamton, Broome Co., N.
Y. They have had two children: Stella May, born
Nov. 10, 1869; and Villette D., June 25, 1878, who
died June 28, 1883.
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