Obituary of Edward HARLAN, Clark County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 2000 Cindy McCachern Obituary of Edward Harlan   Capt. Edward Harlan died very suddenly at his home at the north side of the city last Thursday afternoon.  Mr. Harlan was apparently in his usual health, and had been down town that forenoon as usual.  He was sitting on his porch reading when he was stricken and his housekeeper tried to help him to bed, but he immediately became unconscious and passed away.   Capt. Harlan was by far the most widely known citizen of Clark county.  He as a native of the county, having been born at Darwin, Feb. 15, 1838, the third son of Judge Justin Harlan, and was educated in the schools of the county.  In 1859 he entered the law office of Judge John Scholfield, and in the following year went to Cincinnati to attend law lectures; but the civil war breaking out at that time he abandoned the idea of a legal career, and took his place in the ranks of the country's defenders.  He enlisted in Company H of the 21st regiment--Grant's regiment--and was soon after elected captain of the company, which position he filled for three years.  He was severely wounded at the battle of Chicamauga by a rife ball in the hip.  After three years of service in the 21st regiment, he was appointed by Gen. Grant as captain of commissary, which he held until the end of the war.  Coming home, he took up the occupation of farming, which he followed all his life. Capt. Harlan was a power in politics in this part of the state for many years.  Originally a Democrat, after the war he became an ardent Republican.  He was a delegate to the Chicago convention that nominated Geo. B. McClellan for President.  He served one term in the house of the Illinois Legislature, and was for 22 years sergeant at arms of the House.  In that capacity he made a wide acquaintance among public men.  He was an enthusiastic member of the G. A. R., and served one term as depart....   A man of brilliant intellect and a fluent speaker, he had been ever since the war in demand at public gatherings of all kinds, and hardly a corner of this and neighboring counties that he had not visited on such errands.  he grew old gracefully, and never lost interest in public matters or in the people and things about him. He was held in especial regard by the children and young people of Marshall, and has been "Papa Ed" for a generation.   Oct. 18, 1869, he was married to Miss Eliza Bartlett, who preceded him in death about 12 years ago.  He is survived by three sons: Justin, of Marshall; John, of Orlando, Florida; and Lou, who is a sailor.  Also by one granddaughter, Miss margaret Booth, of Washington, D.C., and one brother, Jack, who lives in Kentucky.   Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the family resience, conducted by Rev. James Ryan, of Greenup, and interment in the city cemetery.  The high regard in which he was held was shown by the large attendance at his funeral, every part of the county being represented, and there were many from other parts of the state. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb Archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Cindy McCachern