Abel Harmon

Abel Harmon is one of the oldest residents of Worth Township, Boone County, Indiana, and a representative of a well known pioneer family that came to Indiana at a very early period in the history of the state. His father, John B. Harmon, a Virginian, was born March 3. 1795 of English parentage, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Findley, descended from Irish ancestry and was born February 7,1798, in the state of Pennsylvania. John B. Harmon and his wife moved with their respective parents to Indiana about the time of the organization of the state, and were married December 23, 1818, in Jackson county. They resided in the county of Jackson until about 1820, in which year they removed to Marion County, thence, in 1837, to the county of Boone, where they resided until their respective deaths – the father departing this life on the twelfth day of June 1860, and the mother in 1878. They reared eleven children, namely – William E , Hiram M., Rebecca A., John L., Abel, George D., Isaac B., Emaline, Jane, Mary A and one that died in infancy unnamed [Other records show just seven children – Findley, Rebecca Ann, Hiram, Able, Emaline, Isaac Blackford and Jane]

Able [sic] Harmon is a native Indianan, born in Marion county December 6, 1828, and since his tenth year has lived within the present limits of the Boone County. Reared amid the scenes of farm life, his early years were marked by great activity; and industry, which he learned in the rugged school of experience has ever since been one of his cardinal virtues. He early determined to devote his life to agricultural pursuits and how well he has succeeded is attested to by the comfortable home which he now owns in Worth Township. Mr. Harmon was married in Boone county, July 19,1849, to Martha Jones, after which he located on a farm in Eagle township and there resided until his removal in 1859 to the township of Worth where he now lives. Mr. Harmon began life for himself with but little if any financial aid and his present beautiful place, consisting of 110 acres of well cultivated land and substantial improvements, represents the fruit of his own industry. He is a man highly regarded in the community where he resided, and his life had been characterized by honorable dealings with his fellows, and it is praise worthily bestowed to ascribe to him a popularity such as few residents of Worth township enjoy. For a number of years he and his faithful wife have been active members of the Methodist church, the pure teachings of which they exemplify in their daily lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Harmon have been born eleven children, names and dates of birth as follows – John E., August 25,1850; Mary, September 6, 1852; James H., January 18,1855; Alice A., Dec 9, 1856; Abel, Oct 3,1858; William L. Sep 9,1860; Charles E., April 5, 1862; Elmer G [Grant], Sept 26,1864; Martha J. Sept 28, 1866; Matilda E., Nov 11, 1869; and Armma L., April 2, 1871. Mrs. Harmon is the daughter of Evan and Matilda (Dome) Jones, early pioneers of Boone county, and was born on the 23rd day of May, 1828, in Harrison county, Kentucky.

[Note: Able Harmon died June 6, 1905. Martha Jones Harmon died March 1, 1900]
 

Submitted by: Unknown
Source: “Biographical History of Boone County, Indiana," located at Indiana State library