JAMES BIRNEY HARSH Seventy eight years -- from September 8, 1845, to June 19, 1923 -- was the span of life for James Birney Harsh, native of Clinton County, Ohio, who lived for a time in Bureau County, Illinois, and later became a pioneer and prominent citizen of Creston, Union County, Iowa. Having acquired a limited education and taught a country school, Harsh enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Forty ninth Illinois Infantry, where he soon attained the rank of sergeant. The war at an end, he attended college at Galesburg, Illinois, and in 1870 moved to Iowa, locating at Creston, where he engaged in the real estate and brokerage business, and a little later took up the practice of law. In 1872 he established the Creston Gazette. At various times he assumed the role of attorney, editor, merchant, and banker. He served one term as justice of the peace, and was twice Mayor of Creston. In 1887 he was elected State Senator, and four years later was reelected to that office. In 1894 he was chairman of the Republican State Convention and on various occasions was suggested as a candidate for Congress and for Governor. At the Forty seventh Annual Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, held at Waterloo, in 1921, he was elected Department Commander. "He was a man of great versatility, activity, and usefulness to his town, county and State". He will long be remembered as a man of influence and power. Source: The Iowa Department of the Grand Army of the Republic page 147
JAMES BIRNEY HARSH Seventy eight years -- from September 8, 1845, to June 19, 1923 -- was the span of life for James Birney Harsh, native of Clinton County, Ohio, who lived for a time in Bureau County, Illinois, and later became a pioneer and prominent citizen of Creston, Union County, Iowa. Having acquired a limited education and taught a country school, Harsh enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Forty ninth Illinois Infantry, where he soon attained the rank of sergeant. The war at an end, he attended college at Galesburg, Illinois, and in 1870 moved to Iowa, locating at Creston, where he engaged in the real estate and brokerage business, and a little later took up the practice of law. In 1872 he established the Creston Gazette. At various times he assumed the role of attorney, editor, merchant, and banker. He served one term as justice of the peace, and was twice Mayor of Creston. In 1887 he was elected State Senator, and four years later was reelected to that office. In 1894 he was chairman of the Republican State Convention and on various occasions was suggested as a candidate for Congress and for Governor. At the Forty seventh Annual Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, held at Waterloo, in 1921, he was elected Department Commander. "He was a man of great versatility, activity, and usefulness to his town, county and State". He will long be remembered as a man of influence and power. Source: The Iowa Department of the Grand Army of the Republic page 147
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Sergt Co K 148th Ill Vol
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