Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-03-31

M. B. Harlow, native of Alexandria,
Va, attended the private schools OF
Miss Margaret Walsh, Miss Virginia
Clarkson and st. Johns Academy, bnd
was compelled to discontinue school
on account of family moving south,
in May, 1861, returning the latter part
of 1864, and owing to the necessity
OF being compelled to assist in the
support Of his family, was denied the
opportunity Of finishing his education.
He accepted position as time
keeper in a Government planning mill,
located on the corner of Fairfax and
Queen streets end remained there un-
til March, 1865, when he was COM
PEELED to resign on account of his re-
fusal TO take the oath Of allegiance
to the United States Government.
He assisted his father in his bust
ness for few years, then in 1871
united with his brothers, John and
George, in the wholesale grocery and
commission business. In 1872 ne was
elected a member of the Board of
Health of Alexandria city, and on its
organization Vas selected secretar, in
1874 he was elected a member of the
CITY Council fro mthe Second Ward,
and re-electc din 1875; elected city
treasurer in May, 1876. serving from
July of that year until July /, 1900,
when he voluntarily retired from pub
lie life.
During his twenty-four years as
CITY treasurer the following deputies
served with him:
James r Cation, who served from
July /. 1876, until July l, 1886. when
he was succeeded by Charles c. Car
lin, who ran until July l, 1892. His
successor was John D. Normoyle, who
served until July /, 1900. when Mr..
Harlow voluntarily retired. Mr.. Ed
ward J. Flemming served under Mr..
Harlow as assistant city treasurer
for a number of years.
Upon turning over this office to his
successor he said: "You are assuming
the duties of this position under vast
" different auspices from that which
existed when 7 took this office. Alex
andria had neither money nor credit.
and turn it over to YOU with its credit
as high as any city in the country and
ample funds to run this office for the
balance of the fiscal year"
Mr.. Harlow was engaged during his
business life in many lines OF business.
He was member of the firm of
Harlow Bros. Wholesale Grocery and
Commission Merchants; conducted q
large real estate office: secretary and
treasurer of the Alexandria Brick
Works: treasurer of two building as
sociations and president and general
manager of one which he organiZed:
was secretary and treasurer Of the
Spring Park and Improvement Com
pany (now Rosemontl; secretary and
trcrsuror and manager of the RosslVn
Development Comrany: secretary and
treasurer Of the Florida Soft Phos-
nhate Company: director of the FIRST
National Bank for over 40 years. and
vice president over Is years: orlglna-
tor Of the idna of the construction of
IN electric railroad from, WASHINGTON
ihrough Alexandria IT, the tomb Of
Washington. Mt Mount Vernon. and
unon its organization. was elected one
Of the director: was assigned the
dntv of select Ag the route through
Alexandria City locating the offices
and appointing the ticket agent. and
was the first railroad official in the
United States to appoint young women
ticket agents.
Some years ago he brought to the
attention of the Steam Railroad Cor
poration passing thru Alexandria, the
desirability of changing their route
vast of Alexandria City, which sug-
gestion was approved and resulted in
his appointment by the six Railroads,
in acquiring all the properties south
of Alexandria, west and north, eX-
tending to the Four Mile Run, which
resulted in the building of a fine
Union Station, Potomac Yards, and
later. the City acquired the extension
of it's corporation limits, taking IN
this magnificent territory.