Justin Harlan

Notes:

Died:


OBITUARY
A fitting Tribute to the Memory of Judge Justin Harlan
Justin Harlan, one of our oldest, most highly esteemed and most prominent citizens, died at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. W. A. Wright, at Kuttawa, Kentucky, on Thursday morning the 13th inst. He left his home here, to make his daughter and son-in-law a visitor, but a few days since, with no symptoms of ill-health save a slight cold; and , after his arrival at Kuttawa, no alarming symptoms in regard to his health were discovered until within two or three days of his death. Even then, he protested that there was nothing the matter with him, and it was with great difficulty that his daughter could prevail upon him to go to bed. From the time he took to his bed, he gradually became weaker and weaker, until life ceased. He died, apparently without a pain. Death came to him as peacefully and sweetly as the sleep of an infant. It was a fitting close—such as, doubtless, he desired—to an honorable and well-spent life. Although absent from home, he was surrounded by friends, and everything was done for him that affection could desire or skill suggest.

Mr. Harlan was born on his father’s farm, near Ridgeville, in Warren County, Ohio, on the 6th of December, 1800. having received a good common school education, on arriving at the age of manhood, he commenced the study of the law in the office of Hon. John McLean, who was shortly thereafter made Post-master General, and still later one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States; but, in consequence of official engagements requiring McLean’s presence in Washington, Mr. Harlan’s preliminary legal studies were completed in the office of Judge Collett, an eminent jurist then residing in Warren County.

In May 1825, Mr. Harlan settled at Darwin, then the county seat of this county, and, at once, engaged in the practice of his profession-traveling, as was the custom, with the Judge, from county to county, throughout the circuit. He was soon recognized as one of the ablest lawyers in the circuit, and obtained a practice which that reputation merited. But, even such a practice, at that day, monopolized only a small portion of time and brought but a small income; for there was little litigation in the country, and what there was, was not such as commanded large attorneys’ fees. There were but two terms of court in the year, and in but a single county in the circuit did the term last a week—in all the others it terminated at the end of from one to four days. Accordingly, in the intervals between terms of courts, Mr. Harlan had an abundance of leisure time—and this, for some time, he divided between assisting an elder brother, Jacob, (who held all the important county offices and that of village postmaster,) in the discharge of his official duties, and fishing and hunting, of which amusements he was always passionately fond.

Within a few years after settling at Darwin, Mr. Harlan was elected a justice of the peace, and this office he held until he was elected a Circuit Judge.

In 1832 he was married to an estimable lady, Miss Lucinda Hogue, the daughter of an old pioneer and highly respected citizen, and she still survives to mourn his death.

During the sessions of the General Assembly, between 1828 and 1834, Mr. Harlan was several times elected to Clerk-ships connected with the current sessions.

In the summer of 1832, he served a three months campaign in the “Blackhawk War,” as second lieutenant, in a company from this county of which John F. Richardson, long since deceased, was captain and the late Woodford Dulaney was First Lieutenant.

The session of the General Assembly of 1884-‘5, re-organized the Judiciary, relieving the Supreme Judges from holding circuit courts as they had before that time been required, and elected five Circuit Judges. These were Richard M. Young, Stephen T. Logan, Sidney Breese, Justin Harland, Henry Eddy, and Thomas Ford. Harlan’s circuit was the 4th Chief Justice Wilson’s old circuit. He was commissioned January 9, 1835, and at once entered upon the discharge of the duties of his office. Eddy resigned his office in February 1835, and Alex F. Grant was immediately elected and commissioned in his place. His circuit was the third and included all of Southern Illinois, proper; Harlan’s circuit included Vermillion and White counties and all the intermediate territory. In the fall of 1835, Harland and Grant exchanged circuits, in order to afford opportunity for the trial of causes without change of venue, in which they had been concerned as lawyers—and thus Harlan, during his term, held Circuit Court in every county then organized, in full one-third of the entire Territory of the State.

Of all the judges elected with him, the venerable Stephen T. Logan alone survives him.

In 1837, Mr. Harlan removed to a farm which he had purchased, at the long since extinct town of Aurora, located at a point two and a half to three miles above Darwin, where the Wabash River making a curve to the westward touches the Illinois bluff. Here his family resided until in 1839, when he removed to this place were his home has ever since continued.

The General Assembly, by the act of February 11, 1841, re-organizing the Judiciary, legislated the Circuit Judges out of office—Mr. Harlan included with the rest, and required the Circuit court to be held by the Judges of the Supreme Court. From this date until his election as Circuit Judge by the people, Mr. Harlan engaged actively in the practice of his profession, and is all cases not depending upon the efforts of advocacy alone, he was universally conceded to be without a superior among those who practiced at the bar of the circuit. In 1843, he was the nominee of the Whig party, in this district, for Congress-but his party being largely in the minority; the Democratic nominee, Mr. Ficklin, was elected.

In 1847, Mr. Harlan was elected, conjointly with Dr. Tutt, delegate from this county—(the late Hon. Uri Manley being at the same time delegate from this senatorial district,) to the convention called to frame a new constitution for the State. In that body of able and distinguished men, he occupied a prominent position and he bore a conspicuous part and wielded a controlling influence throughout all its deliberations.

In September 1848, Mr. Harlan was elected by the people Judge of the fourth Judicial Circuit—his competitors for that office being the late William Wilson, for near thirty years Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the late Hon. Charles II. Constable, afterwards his successor upon the circuit bench. In 1855, he was re-elected Circuit Judge. In 1862, he, for a brief time, resumed the practice of the law;--but, in 1862, upon receiving an appointment from his personal friend, President Lincoln, to an Indian agency, he abandoned his profession—and, since then, he was never attempted to engage actively in its practice. He performed the duties of Indian Agent until in 1865, when he returned to his home, and devoted his time chiefly to straightening up and setting in order his private affairs; until in 1873, when he was elected Judge of the County Court of this county. He held this office for one term. Since then, his time has been occupied in looking after his domestic affairs, in reading, and in the enjoyment of the society of his friends.

Lawyers, competent to know, say that Mr. Harlan was, by, nature, a great lawyer. He had, in the maturity of his manhood, a memory that was almost marvelous. His mind was acutely analytical, and his sense of justice was almost unerring in discriminating the right from the wrong. He had a large heart, throbbing with charity and mercy for those who, by reason of weakness rather than from inherent wickedness, transgressed the law; but for those who boldly defied the law, and willfully preferred the wrong to the right, he was stern and inflexible in meting out the punishment demanded by the law.

He was plain and simple in his dress, habits and tastes. He had but few wants, and they were of the simplest character and easily satisfied. He was without vanity, and associated on terms of intimacy with the humblest and the lowest, with as much apparent satisfaction as with those whom the accidents of fortune had more favored. He was imminently social, and always cheerful; and his presence frequently brought sunshine and cheerfulness, where that of others would have brought clouds and discontent. In his domestic relations, he was all that a good man should be. He was fond of little children, and as is always the case, they, in turn, were equally fond of him. Many a bright little eye will be blinded with tears, when it is known that is no more.

He was truly a great and good man—an honor to the community and the State in which he lived—and his name should ever be held in grateful remembrance. (Clark county Herald, Wednesday, March 18, 1879, page 5)

Justin married Lucinda Hogue on 4 Mar 1832 in Clark County, Illinois, United States. Lucinda was born on 4 Oct 1812 in Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana, United States; died on 30 Oct 1892 in Marshall, Clark County, Illinois, United States; was buried on 2 Nov 1892 in Clark County, Illinois, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Society of Friends (Quaker)
• Residence: 1796; From North Carolina to Columbia, Ohio
• Residence: 1797, Warren County, Ohio, United States

Notes:

George Harlan was a native of Chatham, North Carolina, a Quaker in religious belief, and a farmer by occupation. He removed to Ohio in 1796, locating first at Columbia, and in 1797 proceeded to Warren County, north of Lebanon, where he resided until his death, December 21, 1846. He was the first Sheriff of Warren County, and also served as County, Commissioner, Justice of the Peace, and Associate Judge of Common Pleas Court. He was a member of the General Assembly of Ohio from 1807 to 1809. His wife Hester (Eulass) was a native of Harrisburg, Virginia., in the Shenandoah Valley, and a daughter of Jacob Eulass, an early pioneer of what is now Scott County, Ky., settling there in 1787, of Holland descent. She died December 29, 1858, in her eighty-first year. The preceding facts are taken from an old family Bible, once the property of Judge Robert Harlan's grandfather, and handed down to the present generation. It was probably published about 1700.

So far as is known this was the first Quaker family to locate in Ohio. [Source: W. H. Beers & County, Chicago, 1882, "The History of Clinton County, Ohio", (reprint, Evansville, Indiana: Unigraphic, Inc., 1971]

August 4, 1783 - Hopewell Monthly Meeting, Frederick County, Virginia, pg. 398, George Harlan, received on certificate from Cane Creek Monthly Meeting, Orange County, North Carolina, dated March 2, 1782.

Reason R. Harlan in his journal says:
"April 11, 1829: ....came 26 miles to-day through mud to George Harlan's.
"April 12, 1829: This is the Sabbath. and I shall spend it reading at the home of my blessed relative. George Harlan: and such a blessed family I have never seen before in all my life.
"April 14, 1829: ....yesterday George and I went to see Samuel and his family.
"April 15, 1829: George and I went to see Aaron and family, and spent the day very agreeably with them."

COPY OF GEORGE HARLANS LETTER TO HOWARD (HIS SON) Jan 23, 1845
Jane Harlan received permission from Haveford College to post George's letter on the Harlan Family web site. Jane transcribed the original and made small alterations to make it more readable (like adding commas and semi-colons and modifying spellings that would confuse the reader). Link to letter: http://www.harlanfamily.org/documents.htm#George672

George married Esther Eulass on 10 Nov 1796 in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky, United States. Esther was born on 15 Oct 1777 in Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Virginia, United States; died on 29 Dec 1858 in Warren County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Jan 1859 in Waynesville, Warren County, Ohio, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Census: 1850, Clear Creek Township, Warren County, Ohio, United States; as Esther Harlan, head of household

Notes:

Esther's birth date is given as 1788 in "History of the Harlan Family", but I find this unlikely as she was married and had a child by 1796. She was supposed to be 81 years of age at death and a more likely birth date would be 1777 which I have used.

Other Events:

• Name: George Harland
• Religion: Society of Friends (Quaker)
• Will: 10 Jan 1819, Warren County, Ohio, United States
• Probate: 7 Aug 1821, Warren County, Ohio, United States

Notes:

This George added the d on the end of Harland as his great-great grandfather's name was spelled this way. George was a farmer and in 1766 he took his wife and two children and moved from Kennett Twp. Chester County, Pennsylvania to Chatham County, North Carolina, six more children were born here. In 1783 they moved to Fayette County, Pennsylvania. In 1805 they moved to Hamilton, Ohio.

In 1766 George Harlan, his wife and two children, removed from Kennet Twp., Chester County, Pennsylvania and settled in Chatham County, North Carolina where the other children were born; and from there, in 1783 removed to and settled in Fayette County, Pennsylvania and in 1805 moved into Hamilton, (now in) Warren County, Ohio.

June 12, 1766 - Cane Creek Monthly Meeting, North Carolina, George Harlan produced a Certificate from Pennsylvania.

August 4, 1783 - Hopewell Monthly Meeting, Frederick County, Virginia, pg. 398, George Harland and wife and children, Joshua, Aaron, George, Elizabeth, Sarah and Samuel, received on certificate from Cane Creek Monthly Meeting, Orange County, North Carolina, dated March 2, 1782.

March 1, 1805 - Redstone Monthly Meeting, Pennsylvania, pg. 91, George Harlan and wife Margery and children Aaron, Samuel and Moses, granted certificate to Miami Monthly, removed about 1793.

July 11, 1805 - Miami Monthly Meeting, Warren County, Ohio, pg. 66, George Harlan and wife Margery and children, Aaron, Samuel and Moses, received on certificate from Redstone Monthly Meeting, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, dated March 1, 1805.

This George added the d on the end of Harland as his great-great grandfather's name was spelled this way. George was a farmer and in 1766 he took his wife and two children and moved from Kennett Twp. Chester County, Pennsylvania to Chatham County, North Carolina, six more children were born here. In 1783 they moved to Fayette County, Pennsylvania. In 1805 they moved to Hamilton, Ohio.

Will
dated January 10, 1819,
proven August 7, 1821, Probate Court, Warren County, Ohio

Be it remembered that I George Harlan of Warren County and State of Ohio considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind and perfect memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say)
First I give to my beloved wife Margery Harlan one equal third part of all my estate both real and personal during her natural life. Secondly to my youngest son Moses Harlan I give and bequeath all my estate both real and personal of which I may die seized out of the proceeds of which he is to pay first all my just debts which are but few and none of magnitude and secondly the legacies herein after mentioned to my son Joshua Harlan the sum of ninety dollars, to my son Aaron Harlan ninety dollars, to my son George Harlan ninety dollars, to my son Samuel Harlan ninety dollars, to my son-inlaw Richard Lackey ninety dollars, to my grandson Silas Harlan (the heir of Elizabeth Sharp) ninety dollars all which legacies are to be paid as soon after my decease as circumstances will admit and finally I appoint my son George Harlan the sole Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the tenth day of January eighteen hundred and nineteen.
George Harlan (seal)

Signed sealed and published by the above named George Harlan to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses to the same.
Jacob Harlan
Jacob L. Jennings
Seneca Ball

George married Margery Baker on 21 Apr 1762 in New Castle County, Delaware, British Colonial America. Margery (daughter of Joshua Baker and Mary Hill) was born on 6 Apr 1743 in Christiana Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware, British Colonial America; died on 14 Feb 1821 in Warren County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Feb 1821 in Waynesville, Warren County, Ohio, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Religion: Society of Friends (Quaker)

Notes:

July 12, 1766 - Cane Creek Monthly Meeting, North Carolina
Margery Harlan produced a certificate with her husband from Kennet monthly meeting in Pennsylvania which was read and accepted.

August 4, 1783 - Hopewell Monthly Meeting, Frederick County, Virginia, pg. 398
Margery Harlan, received on certificate from Cane Creek Monthly Meeting, Orange County, North Carolina, dated March 2, 1782.

March 1, 1805 - Redstone Monthly Meeting, Pennsylvania, pg. 91.
Margery Harlan, granted certificate to Miami Monthly, removed about 1793.

July 11, 1805 - Miami Monthly Meeting, Warren County, Ohio, pg. 66
Margery Harlan, received on certificate from Redstone Monthly Meeting, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, dated March 1, 1805.

Other Events:

• Beneficiary: 8 May 1732; in the will of his father, Aaron Harlan
• Beneficiary: 5 Feb 1747/8; in the will of his mother, Sarah Harlan
• Probate: 26 Mar 1750, Chester County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America

Notes:

George Harlan inherited by Will from his father, Aaron Harlan, the Homestead consisting of about 300 acres on Brandywine Creek, in what is now the Pennsbury township, and on the Delaware line; which after his death was sold by his heirs by deed commencing thus:

'This Indenture made the twentieth Day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & sixty four, Between George Harlan of the township of Kennet in the county of Chester in the Province of Pennsylvania, yeoman, and Margery his wife, Amor Chandler of the same place, Blacksmith, and Elizabeth his wife, and Thomas Hope of the same place, Tailor, and Sarah his wife, the said George, Elizabeth, and Sarah being the only children of George Harlan late of ye said Township, deceased, of the one part,.....' etc.

George married Elizabeth Hope on 27 May 1736 in Kennett Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America. Elizabeth (daughter of John Hope and Elizabeth Hobson) was born on 4 May 1719 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; died after 1751. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
[27da 3mo 1736]

Joshua married Mary Hill on 5 Nov 1740. Mary was born in of Christiana Hundred, Delaware, USA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]