Harris Haven remained on the home farm, assisting in its work through the summer and attending the district schools of the neighborhood in winter, until twenty years of age. In 1858 he went with the family to Minnesota, but disliking the country, he left home and started out for himself. During the following three years he worked alternately on farms and in the logging camps, and in 1862 secured a position on a farm in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1865. He was next employed as road expert by a windmill company, and in 1872 embarked in business for himself at Madison as a wholesale dealer in windmills, in which undertaking he met with excellent success, practically controlling the windmill trade of five counties in central Wisconsin.
It was in the spring of 1881 that Mr. Haven came to Spink county, South Dakota, and homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 11, Tetonka ,township, where he has since resided. He is now the owner of a large and valuable farm, two hundred acres of which he plants in wheat; one hundred and twenty acres in corn, oats and barley; while thirty-five acres are fenced for pasture. He keeps from ten to fifteen head of cattle and has fifteen horses which he is raising for the market.
On the 4th of December, 1884, Mr. Haven was united in marriage with Miss Mary Lerdall, of Madison, Wisconsin, a native, however, of Norway, and to them have been born two children: George and Herman, both at home.
Originally Mr. Haven was a Republican in politics, but for the past eight
years has affiliated with the Populist party, though at township and county
elections he votes independent of party ties, supporting the men whom he
believes best qualified to fill the offices. He has always been a no-license
prohibitionist and believes in woman's suffrage. He has served two terms as
township treasurer, beginning at the organization of Tetonka township; was also
chairman of its first school board; and has served three terms as school
treasurer. His official duties have always been most capably and satisfactorily
discharged, and he is recognized as one of the valued citizens of his community.
When a young man he joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows but has not kept
up his connection with the society.