Sedgwick-Russell County KS Archives Biographies.....Harsh, Sylvester 1828 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 24, 2007, 1:16 am

Author: O. H. Bentley (1910)

   Sylvester Harsh, retired, of Mt. Hope, Sedgwick county, Kansas, was born
August 7, 1828, in Litchfield, Bradford county, Pennsylvania. His parents were
Cornelius and Jerusha Harsh, both natives of the state of New Jersey. Sylvester
Harsh acquired a limited education in the common schools of Bradford county, and
at his majority learned the trade of a mason, at which he worked up to the time
he entered the army during the Civil War. He enlisted, in 1863, in Company I,
One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and remained in the
service until the close of the war. The regiment was placed under the command of
General Grant and was in the battle of City Point (Va.), in which severe
engagement the ranks were decimated. After this battle the regiment participated
in skirmish engagements until the close of the war. In the ranks, while on
parade, Mr. Harsh received a severe injury to his hip, which compelled him to go
to the hospital, where he remained in a critical condition for months. The
injury necessitated a surgical operation, in 1909, which has greatly reduced his
strength and has left him in a disabled condition. In 1878 Mr. Harsh removed
from Pennsylvania to Russell county, Kansas, where he worked at his trade and
engaged in the mercantile business. In 1905 he moved to Sedgwick county, bought
property in Mt. Hope and now lives in his comfortable home with his wife. Mr.
Harsh has been married twice. His first wife was Miss Mariah Prince, to whom he
was married in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, on March 6, 1852. Five children
were born of this union, of whom two are now living, viz.: Charles, who lives in
Reno county, Kansas, and Flora, who is married to a Mr. Crawford and lives next
door to her father. She has two children. Mr. Harsh was again married, to Mrs.
Mary B. Stacy, a widow, whose maiden name was Sergeant, and whose parents were
natives of England. No children have been born of this second marriage. Mr.
Harsh is a devoted and useful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For over
thirty-five years he was superintendent of the Sunday school and for over
twenty-five years a class leader. He has been strongly identified with the
temperance party and is looked upon in the community as an upright and exemplary
citizen.

Additional Comments:
Extracted from 

History of Wichita and Sedgwick County: past and present, including an account
of the cities, towns and villages of the county

Editor in chief: O. H. Bentley
Chicago: C.F. Cooper & Co. (1910)


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