Harshbarger - Jacob M.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal, Monday September 15, 1919
Uncle Jacob M. HARSHBARGER as he was familiarly called will be sadly missed by the people of Montgomery County. We have been intimately associated with him for the past 30 years in every day life, in society and in farm organizations of different kinds and in all these different avenues, his sincerity was so pronounced that he was not only termed and interested worker but an admired leader. He was one of the originators of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Montgomery, Fountain and Parke Counties more than 40 years ago, was one of the prominent men in organizing the Montgomery County Fair Association and has done as much to keep up the interest of Farmers' Institutes in central Indiana as any other man. Not only was he a leader and a useful man years ago when these organization s were in their infancy but has always continued to be interested in his fellow men and the unusual knowledge that he had acquired was willingly imported to others he never grew tired of trying to help others his self acquired intelligence and broad minded views on all local and public affairs kept him apace with the times till the last. Scores of young farmers in this county have admired Mr. Harshbarger to the extent that they have endeavored to adopt and follow his plans. He has done much to dignify the vocation of farming, always placing it on an equality with the highest professions. He was a noble citizen and a man among men, admired and loved by men of all occupations. He possessed peculiar social acquirements that won those who came in contact with him. He has not lived in vain for such a life will continue to live, the nobility that he always practiced and the exalted purpose that he always had in mind placed him in the honored list and one of the most exemplary and useful men that ever lived in Montgomery County. Either in the capacity of an official or common citizen he always made good and this model life of 91 years that so peacefully was brought to a close is an important epoch in our history and will be sacredly referred to for years and years. All this did not come by chance but it took a pronounced effort on his part to accomplish all these things. The study of such a life decides the frivolous question that so often is to the mind of the young man whether or not it pays to try to be useful. County, state and nation need more such men, perhaps he died not knowing with what high esteem and admiration the people of Montgomery County had for him but did know that he had always tried to do his part in a noble, friendly conscientious way in the home, church or public affairs and he has been a witness to the result of some of that good seed sown and many of the rest of us will continue to profit thereby. Signed - CEB