My Genealogy Hound

BARRETT P. HARMON was born near Palestine, Randolph County, Ill., on the 1st of February, 1841, and was a son of George and Mary (Caudle) Harmon. His father was born in South Carolina, and when a young man came with his parents to Illinois. He was a cooper by trade and followed that business for a number of years, but later in life he turned his attention to farming, which he continued until his death. He was a successful agriculturist and acquired a comfortable competence. His wife survived him only three years.

B. P. Harmon was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads. He acquired his education in the district schools, which he attended through the winter season, while in the summer months he aided in the labors of the field. He continued to give his father the benefit of his services until he had attained his majority, when he started out in life for himself and followed the pursuit to which he was reared. He made farming his life work, devoting his energies to no other pursuit. His place was always neat and thrifty in appearance, and its well tilled fields and the many improvements seen thereon indicated the careful supervision of the owner.

On the 30th of August, 1864, Mr. Harmon was united in marriage with Miss Marjie C. Jones, daughter of Armstead and Sarena J. (Garner) Jones. Her father was a native of Tennessee, and her mother was born in this county. Our subject and his wife became the parents of a family of eight children, but Sarena, the second child, died after reaching womanhood. Those still living are Charles, who married Harriet Hunt and lives on a farm near Ellis Grove; Lizzie, wife of W. H. Haynes, a prominent young man of Monroe County, Ill.; Carroll, Arthur G., Emma J., Olive V. and Barrett R., all of whom are still with their mother on the old homestead.

For seven years prior to his death, Mr. Harmon was in poor health. He made two trips to California in the hope of being benefited thereby, and also went to Kansas for the same purpose, but to no avail. In politics, he was a stanch Democrat, and held school offices for a number of years. He was also Justice of the Peace for twelve years, and his faithfulness to duty is indicated by his long continued service. Socially, he was connected with Kaskaskia Lodge No. 86, A. F. & A. M. He and his wife were for many years connected with the Methodist Church, but afterwards became converted to the belief of Christian Science. He was a true and loyal citizen, a faithful neighbor and friend and a kind and loving husband and father, and throughout the community in which he lived his death was widely and deeply mourned. His wife, who possesses many excellencies of character and is held in high regard, still resides with her children on the old homestead.