Bio for HARMER, Matthew (b.1810 d.1897) Rice Co., MN
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A History of Matthew Harmer

This was written about Matthew Harmer on page 262 of the book: 
"Rice County Families: Their History Our Heritage" 
Published by the Rice County Historical Society in 1981.   
                      
MATTHEW HARMER  
(Great-great grandfather of Thomas W. Pritchard)
Excerpts of writings from several family descendents.

"Matthew Harmer was born in Sussex, England, Christmas Eve, 1810.  Mary Ann 
Skinner was born in the same area four years later.  She was a playmate of 
Queen Victoria and he worked in the stables for the Queen.  They were united 
in marriage on Christmas Day, 1831.  The first ten of their seventeen 
children (eleven sons and six daughters) were born in England before the 
family emigrated to America.  They left London for America on April 9, 1849, 
by the slow mode of travel then in vogue, boarding the good ship, The Queen 
Victoria.  After a voyage of some six weeks, they landed in New York City and 
proceeded from there to Wisconsin.  This journey was made by steamboat up the 
Hudson River to Albany, New York; via the Erie Canal to Buffalo, New York; 
and then through the Great Lakes (Erie, Huron, and Michigan) to Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin.  
Herbert, my great grandfather was born in Green Lakes County, Wisconsin, in 
1852, the family of then sixteen moved to Faribault County, Minnesota, but 
were forced to leave after a brief stay because of attacks by hostile Sioux 
Indians.  They then moved to Pine Island for two years.  In 1965, Matthew 
Harmer bought a quarter section of land in Dodge County.  Here they were 
surrounded by all the comforts of life of that time.  They celebrated their 
golden wedding on this farm in 1881 (just 100 years ago), when their cup of 
joy was fulfilled.  There was a merry dance and many "tripped the light 
fantastic toe".  The music for the occasion was furnished by members of the 
family, six of whom were violinists.  The grand feast was the triumph of my 
great-great grandmother, Mary Ann.  It was simply immense including many of 
the good things of earth, not the least of which was a genuine old fashioned 
English plum pudding.  The festivities, including vocal and instrumental 
music, were continued for several days.  The guests from away (always 
accompanied by the honored guests) met at the residences of the sons and 
daughters whose homes were located in that neighborhood; one was that of my 
great grandfather Herbert Harmer (later of Northfield).
Matthew was a stern little fellow and was always busy at something.  In his 
log tool shop he spent many spare hours.  He would make things of wood such 
as hammer and fork handles.  Each piece of waste was put in a homemade wooden 
barrel for kindling wood for the fires in the home.  The winter times on the 
farm were long and cold.  Snow often covered the gates and the roads were 
plugged until the crust got strong enough to drive over.  He made a box to 
put on runners, then hitched up the horses so we could drive to school.  
Matthew lived on this farm until his death in 1897 at the age of eighty-six 
years.  The obituary read: "Mr. Harmer's mind was clear and unimpaired to the 
last and he laid down the burden of a long and useful life without regret.  
The kind husband, the wise father, the obliging neighbor and friend had gone 
to his reward and those who keenly feel his loss do not mourn as those 
without hope."  Great-great grandmother Mary Ann died February 26, 1906, at 
ninety years of age.  She was a lover of her home and family, and ever 
faithful to her duties so long as health and strength permitted.  
I, Thomas W. Pritchard, have resided in Northfield (presently at 401 Ivanhoe) 
since 1957.  My wife, Janet L. Axelson, and I have four sons: Jeffrey, 
Andrew, Scott, and Christopher - all great-great-great grandchildren of 
Matthew Harmer.  My mother, Mrs. Walter Prtichard, was a Harmer, a great 
granddaughter.  She is the daughter of R. D. Harmer, son of Herbert Harmer, 
who in turn was the seventh son of Matthew.  
Other Harmers in Rice County are Velva (Mrs. John) Noreen and son Robert; 
Beth (Mrs. Warren) Closson; Richard and Douglas Harmer (sons of the late 
Meade Harmer); Herbert Noreen family; Yvonne (Mrs. Dale) Swarts and family; 
Grace (Mrs. Cloyde) Lee and son Wallace; and families of the late Jesse and 
Otto Harmer."