Amos Harshey Biographical Review

AMOS HARSHEY, who is well known throughout Schuyler county as a leading farmer of Littleton township, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, October 13, 1847, a son of Jacob and Bethiah C. (Barnes) Harshey. His father was a native of the same county, and in 1858 he emigrated to the West, locating near Rushville, Schuyler county, Illinois; after seven years he sold the land he had taken up at that time, and bought the farm now occupied by our subject; here he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring at the age of forty-nine years; his wife is a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and is still living, a resident of Littleton township. Her parents emigrated to Schuyler county in 1859, and were living here at the time of death. The youth of Mr. Harshey was a quiet, uneventful one, and he was at home until after his marriage. He was united to Miss Marissa R. Prather, September 10, 1872, and they are the parents of one child, Ethel G., born January 24, 1877. Mrs. Harshey was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, April 5, 1848, a daughter of James and Barbara (Young) Prather; the parents removed to this county in 1851, and the father died here at the age of eighty years; the mother is still living. After his marriage Mr. Harshey engaged in farming on his own account, renting land for a period of five years; at the end of that period he bought his present home, which he has occupied since. He has 130 acres of fertile land in a high state of cultivation. He carries on a general farming business, and by good management and industry makes the business profitable. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party; his father and grandfather were Whigs before the organization of the Republican party, but after its formation they joined its ranks. In 1892 he was elected Supervisor for a term of two years. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are actively interested in the work of this society; he is an Elder, and for many years has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He belongs to Friendship Lodge, No. 24, I.O.O.F.