Pioneers of Marion County by Wm. M. Donnel. Des Moines: Republican Steam Printing House, 1872.
Mr. Garret G. Harsin, who is still a resident of this township, and now quite advanced in years, was born in Kentucky, in 1790. He first moved to Illinois at an early day, from thence to Henry county, Iowa, in 1839, and to his present place of residence, in the spring of 1844. On leaving the settlement the family carefully laid in provisions enough to last them till the middle of the summer. But, on reaching their destination, they were so beset by other immigrants, who were not so provident, and who were compelled to borrow or suffer, that their supply soon ran short. Indeed it was twice exhausted, and the family lived for some time on wheat boiled in milk. At this time Mr. H. was improving his claim, and once, when making rails, his noonday lunch consisted of only one green cucumber, without salt. On such diet he toiled on day after day, with failing strength, till he was finally able to make only sixteen rails per day. This wasduring the absence of his team, and one or two of his sons for another supply of provisions. Of Mr. Harsin's five sons, Geo W. lives in Clay, James and Martin V. in Union township, John the oldest, near Sioux City, and Garret in Oregon.
Pioneers of Marion County by Wm. M. Donnel. Des Moines: Republican Steam Printing House, 1872.
Mr. Garret G. Harsin, who is still a resident of this township, and now quite advanced in years, was born in Kentucky, in 1790. He first moved to Illinois at an early day, from thence to Henry county, Iowa, in 1839, and to his present place of residence, in the spring of 1844. On leaving the settlement the family carefully laid in provisions enough to last them till the middle of the summer. But, on reaching their destination, they were so beset by other immigrants, who were not so provident, and who were compelled to borrow or suffer, that their supply soon ran short. Indeed it was twice exhausted, and the family lived for some time on wheat boiled in milk. At this time Mr. H. was improving his claim, and once, when making rails, his noonday lunch consisted of only one green cucumber, without salt. On such diet he toiled on day after day, with failing strength, till he was finally able to make only sixteen rails per day. This wasduring the absence of his team, and one or two of his sons for another supply of provisions. Of Mr. Harsin's five sons, Geo W. lives in Clay, James and Martin V. in Union township, John the oldest, near Sioux City, and Garret in Oregon.
Family Members
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Sarah Ann "Sally" Harsin Fox
1817–1890
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John H. Harsin
1818–1906
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George Washington Harsin
1821–1893
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Nancy A Harsin Wright
1827–1858
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Elizabeth P. Harsin Williams
1831–1881
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Mary Jane Harsin Richards
1834–1871
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Garret Quinn Harsin
1838–1905
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Martin Van Buren Harsin
1838–1912
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James Melvin Harsin
1838–1913
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Maria A. Harsin West
1843–1928
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Darius Gilbert Harsin
1864–1936
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