Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-12-17
WARREN CORRESPONDENCE.
Death Of HsmsH r. Harmsn-Sksteh Of his
Lye-Fansrai- Hoe Fast tie Ranks are
TANNED
WARREN
WANEEN. 0 Dec. 2. 1859.


HemaD r. Harmon, late Sheriff, died on the
morning Of the Let, aGler an illness of about
month. His disease was dropsy Of the chest
Mr. Harmon waa born In Vermont in the
year 1877, and at the time of his death was 90
years of age. He was son of Esq. Reuben
Harmon, who in 1897 purchased the Salt
Springs tract in Weatherfeld. and brother Of
;he late DR.. john B. Harmon. In 1900, ESQ
Harmon moved bis family into the wilds Of
New Connecticut and settled at Salt Springs
on the tract he had purchased. Here young
Harmon grew up to manhood He was born
three years too soon TO be a Buckeye by birth;
bat h!a earliest consciousness took in only the
forests, Gods first covering for this beautiful
country, wild, dark, and almost impenetrable,
the small clearing and the rude cabin which
stood in its centre, and the wild Indian The
howl Of the wolf was familiar to his early
childhood, and the hooling of the owl was his
nightly lullaby. Hisexperieuce was similar 10
that Of many others who have been reared in
tho wilderness, There was prlvalon and
hardship to bear; them was early labor that re-
quired manhnod's strength; there was lack of
means fur education and improvement. and
there were mono Of the refinements aud enioy
ments VI enlightened social intercourse. There
are always compensStions in nature, whether
adequate or not, andlhe deprivations carried
with them certain wdd enjoyments and benefits
which in part made Up the loss OF those chances
of improvement anil those delightful social
advantages which oder counties and commu.
mites afford the yourg, and which make Young
boghood 50 enjoyable and so glorious. The
pioneer boy Is early trained to rely on himself
Fear IS banished his individuality, and he trav-
eTses the woods by blazcd paths, and through
thlcket, swamp OF mordss, alone, without trep.
datlon or hesitation, at an age when boys are
not permitted, usually, TO go beyond haillng
distance of their parents. He laughs at danger,
and meets it halfway. lie tracks tho wild
bear TO his tree or lair, and With the deadly aim
and true riflc bullet brings him to tho ground
"a grand trophy Of his early yalcr; and no
conquerlng general is ever greeted with greater
eeiat than is the young hunter and his booty
greeted at their parents cabin, and mono walk
with prouder step or uober air.
These wild experiences teach self reliance, a
manly independence of character, and power
to do and to dare These olreumstanocs had
something to do in the formation of the char
acter of the inject of this sketch All through
visible IN sht path, soltCned and toned down
il 10 true by the amenities of social lie, and
constant intercourse with intelligent, Rotve
men. His independence self reliance, bis joVig
good nature, his open hearted generosity, hi
easy, unaffected manner, his dlsdain Of con
VentlOnallteS and forms, his truth and npbls
ness OF character, many have Il, all, moro o
less, an influence from his early residence an,
training in the wilderness.
Mr. Harmon, in youth or early manhood
came TO Warren 10 reside, and has eve
since been resident of this village -
Il is over forty years that he ha
lived here. Ile has seen Warren when i
was collection OF few small huis--a mer,
hsmlet--and has witnessed it's growth iron
that stage until its present sze,-a large an,
iiourshing village, aud almost city. Wha
changes hc has witnessed! But few OF the mel
who were hero when he eamo are now here sur
viving him. Mr. Harmon came here and serVeC
an apprenticeship as clerk and pnerward
went into trade on his own account d followed
merchandising for A number OF years, with va
ried success. After withdrawing from tha
business he Engaged in dIoving aud stoc
growing, and grazing and farming. For year
! he has been extensively engaged in the bus
d ness. No man is more widely known than h
is among cattle men, while Lis general acquAil
tanco is very extensive.
Mr. Harmon was always very active in pol
tics, and was Wing while whggery meaI
something. IG lS49 he bolted the Whig par
Immediately upon the receipt OF tbs news
the nomination of Taylor, and he hss steadiI
adhered TO his conv ctions of right ever sine
lie has been true 10 the Free Soil party, an
since the formation Of the Republican party !
has as steadily adhered TO that party, beeaui
h0 believed those parties nearer right than an
other in the field, and more nearly rspresentt
his convictions OF right upon the Slavery que
lion. No man in the county, perhaps, wlelde
a stronger influence than he did to keep up az
sustain the Free Soil party, II needed men
strength, OF backbone, OF independence, al
he stood by it in it's infancy, shielding It fro
the assaults Of insiduous and open enemies, an
lived to see it grow 10 strong and lusty MAJ
hood None Of its early sdhercnts stood tru
or more steadfast than he
In 1853 he YVES the candidate Of that pAr
for tho office Of Sheriff Of the county, and
popular was he, that he was elected by sbo
800 sjorty when all the other candidates uPC
s. the ticket we're defeated. In 1895 he wss =
elected, and lac served out his full constitution
term With entire acceptance 10 the people
Mr. Harmon was man Ofgreat public spiri
and was always ready TO lend helCing hand
carry forward improvements. In evary sense
tHt worn lie WAS koou NiblAeHs lo was BthS
"a Gus and open hearted, kind and obligihg, alwa.
q ready with word and money to assist tho need
q genial and frank in his intercourse, correct
bis basineas relations, truthful and TeaDle,-
He never fOTsook friend, adheTing to hi
through good and evil report and forgave b
IN enemies, Il he had any, which iS doubtful J
~ laborfr ever made complaint of him in respe
10 work OF pay, or treatment Of any kind. A
who worked for MIN once, would do so agai
and were eager for the opportunity. lie "
liked by everybody who had aught 10 do for
with him lie made those who lived with
~ worked for him, feel at home. .
He intemarried with Maria Parsons, daug
ter Of Geoigo Persons, Of this town, and b
TsRred laTpe family OF children, mostly grow
to be men and women. Seven now suryi
On bin, the oldest son being 20 or 23 years Of az
Mr. Parsons lives with the family, hear
hale old man OF 40 years Of Age--a man of We
decided sHd energetic character
Mr. Harmon was never member Of al
church. He never dwaried his souls or cram
ed his Intellect by being bound TO the creed
hs any Of the sectATiea The church called h
AN infdel but that is a mistake lie was
full believer in the existence Of GoJ, not 81
q, person, but spirit overriding ALL and all Po
erful and supreme, and omnipotent, az well
rs in the immortality Of the soul, and IN very de
he was = Christian. II TO clothe the nak
feed the hungry, assist the oppressed, let
the bOndman, do 10 Others as he would hf
6a, them do TO him, TO be tue TO all the relate
Of life, whether As husband, parent, citiz
friend or neghboF, makes . man an inhd
=. then was HemAn X. Harmon saehi 6u'