Biographical Sketch of

Hiram H. Harmon

Transcribed by Joan Benner



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 426 - 427

Hiram H. Harmon, one of the leading furniture dealers and undertakers of Green Lake County, and a respected citizen 
of Princeton, is a native of Massachusetts, having been born in Hampshire County, Jan. 2, 1837. The family was of 
English origin, and was founded in America during the early days of the history of this country. The parents of 
our subject, Oliver and Amanda (Parker) Harmon, were natives of Massachusetts and in the old Bay State the father 
followed the occupation of carpentering and joining. In early life he had served an apprenticeship to the hatter's 
trade, but finding that the close confinement was injurious to his health he abandoned that pursuit and learned the 
carpenter's trade, which he followed in the east with good success until 1854. That year witnessed his arrival in 
Wisconsin. He believed that he might better his condition and that of his family by removal to the west, and in 
accordance with that belief emigrated to this county, locating in St. Marie township, where he purchased 120 acres 
of land. From that time until his death, which occurred on the 10th day of May, 1858, at the old homestead, he devoted 
his attention to farming. He was a man of sterling worth and won the confidence and high regard of those whom business 
or pleasure brought him in contact. He was called home at the age of sixty-one years and his remains were interred in 
the cemetery at Princeton, where some seventeen years later his wife was laid by his side. She survived her husband 
until Jan. 14, 1875, dying on the old home farm, at the age of seventy-five years. She was a lady of many excellencies 
of character and like Mr. Harmon had many warm friends.

The family circle of that worthy couple was completed by the birth of eight children, four of whom are yet living--
William H. who is residing in Waseca, Minnesota; Oliver N., whose home is in Princeton; Hiram H., of this sketch; and 
Charles B., who is located in Alexandria, South Dakota.

Hiram H. Harmon was a young man of seventeen years at the time of the emigration of the family to Wisconsin. He 
received his education in the common schools of his native State and remained under the parental roof until after 
attaining his majority, when he began life's battle for himself. He entered upon his business career as a farmer, 
purchasing 80 acres of land adjoining the old homestead which he operated for five years. In the meantime he was 
united in marriage with Miss Luanna Phelps, the wedding being celebrated March 20, 1862. The lady was a daughter of 
Chauncey and Alma (Heaton) Phelps, natives of New York, who came to Wisconsin and were residents of Green Lake 
County at the time of their death.

The young couple began their domestic life upon the farm, which Mr. Harmon first purchased, but in 1864, selling that 
land, he removed to Markesan, where the husband operated a farm for two years. He then purchased a 40-acre tract of 
land, but after cultivating it for one year again sold and returned to the old homestead, residing in the family for 
the succeeding two years. It was his intention to remove to the West and there make his home, but in the spring of 1868 
the death of his loved wife occurred and in consequence he changed his plans, continuing his residence in Green Lake 
County. Mrs. Harmon, who died on the 9th day of March, was a lady greatly beloved throughout the community, and her 
loss was deeply mourned. She left three children, two of whom are yet living-Ella M., who is residing in Milwaukee, 
and Willie P., who is engaged as a printer in Minneapolis, Minn.; and Mabel I., who is deceased.

Mr. Harmon was again married Sept. 1, 1870, when Samantha J. Woodruff became his wife. Her parents, Nathaniel and 
Auril (Sykes) Woodruff, were natives of Vermont, but during the early history of Wisconsin settled in Kenosha, whence 
after a few years, they removed to Waushara County, where they passed the remainder of their lives. They won the respect 
of all who knew them and ranked among the valued citizens of the community in which they made their home.

About the time of his second marriage Mr. Harmon removed to Princeton, where for four years he engaged in carpentering 
with good success. He then decided to devote his attention to some mercantile pursuit and in 1873 established the 
furniture store of which he is still proprietor. He carries a first-class stock of goods and his establishment has 
gained a wide reputation. His long experience in that line has made him familiar with the wants and desires of the 
public and his affable and courteous manner and endeavor to please all have secured him a liberal patronage, of which 
he is well deserving. In connection with the furniture department he carries on an undertaking establishment. His 
success is due to his practicability, enterprise and perseverance, without which characteristics success is very 
uncertain. His fellow-citizens have shown their appreciation of his ability and excellent manner in which he has 
discharged his duties of citizenship by electing him to several official positions. He gives his support and influence 
to the advancement of the Republican party, and takes a deep interest in political affairs, as well as in all the 
leading issues of the day. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend and he intends to provide his children 
with the best advantages in this direction that they may thereby be fitted for life's duties.

The children born of his second marriage are five in number, four sons and a daughter, namely Albert H., Royal W., 
Emma F., George H. and Frederick. As a representative citizen of the county and one of the leading business men of 
Princeton, Mr. Harmon is justly entitled to a representation in this volume and it therefore becomes the duty as 
well as the pleasure of the historian to present this sketch to the readers of the Album.






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