My Genealogy Hound

Tom W. Harkless, mayor of Lamar, and a member of the firm of Harkless, Allen & Co., was born in Belmont County, Ohio, September 20, 1857, and is the son of James and Sarah J. (McConn) Harkless, natives of Ohio and West Virginia, respectively. The parents’ courtship was rather romantic, culminating in flight and marriage. They settled in Ohio, where Mr. Harkless was engaged for some time in contracting on railroads; he helped build the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He amassed quite a fortune, but lost the principal part of it before he went to Cole County, Ill., in 1860. He then had to begin almost anew, and turned his attention to farming, which he conducted successfully until he was in comfortable circumstances. The mother died at the age of forty-seven, and, later, Mr. Harkless married again. His death occurred in September, 1883. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Harkless was a member of the Christian Church. To them were born six children, five now living, three sons and two daughters. James H. Harkless is a lawyer, and George A. is a partner in the above firm. Tom W. Harkless attained his growth on a farm, and received a good practical education in the common schools. In 1879 he left the farm, and, for about three years, clerked for McCutchen & Jones, and soon after became a member of the firm. Subsequently the other members dropped from the firm, and again formed a partnership, while Mr. Harkless and his partners assumed the firm title, Harkless, Allen & Co. They have the largest stock of dry goods and clothing in Southwest Missouri. January 29, 1882, he married Miss Edith E. Allen, daughter of William Allen, and to them have been born three children: Mabel, Kate, and Hazel. In April, 1889, Mr. Harkless was elected mayor of Lamar, having served two years previously as councilman. He is a stanch Republican in his political views; is a member of the A. O. U. W., and is a self-made man in the true sense of the word.