MRS. R HARMISON DEAD.
Word was received late this afternoon by relatives here of the death of Mrs. R. Harmison of Newton. The cause of her death is not known. For many years she had made this city her home and her three sons, Frank, John and Will are residents of this city. A more complete obituary will follow later.
-Great Bend Tribune, April 1, 1918, Kansas
Mrs. Rebecca Harmison was born April 17, 1848, in Ross county, Ohio, and died April 1, 1918 at the home of her son, Elmer in Newton, KS. At the time of her death she was 63 years, 11 months, and 14 days of age. Mrs Harmison had been in good health, but was suddenly stricken with an attack of apoplexy and expired within a few minutes.
Rebecca Christ was united in marriage to Samuel Harrmison, January 1, 1866, at Bloomington, Illinois. To this union ten children were born, six boys and four girls, all of whom are living with the exception of Eugene who died in 1896.
In the fall of 1870 the family moved to Kansas locating in Sedgwick County where they lived for three years. Later they returned to Illinois and lived in that locality for five years, returning to Kansas again in 1879, and locating northwest of Great Bend, and in the fall of 1893 moved to this city where they made their future home.
The Children who survive her are W. H. Harmison, of Wichita, James of Denver, Frank and John of this city, Elmer of Newton, Mrs. Nellie Adams of Wichita, Mrs. Hattie Keil of Fowler, Montana, Mrs. Grace Jones of Shoshone, Idaho, and Mrs. Mae Mabe of Boon, Colorado.
At the age of fourteen Mrs. Harmison joined the Methodist Church but following her marriage, she together with her husband joined the Baptist church of which they were faithful members. On coming to this county they were united with the United Brethren and on moving to Great Bend joined the Congregational Church.
Two sisters, Mrs. Minerva Ripley of Bloomington, Illinois, and Mrs. George Perry of Chicago survive her.
-Great Bend Tribune, April 6, 1918, Kansas
Samuel Harmison
Samuel Harmison
Information in Samuel Harmison's pension file (from Suzanne Dodge)
This picture was taken in 1995 of the remains of the house Samuel Harmison built for his family in Galatia, Kansas.
Top (L to R) - Hattie Sophia Harmison Butler, Grace Harmison Jones
Bottom - Nellie Harmison Smith Grant, Minerva Crist Ripley
