Ebenezer Harbert, a prominent farmer of Clark Township, was born July 1, 1837, and is the son of Oliver and Mary A. (Wheeler) Harbert. The father was born September 21, 1806, in Pennsylvania. He emigrated with his parents from Pennsylvania, and settled in Dearborn County, Ind., about 1810. He came to Johnson County about 1835, and for many years he would take his reap hook in harvest time and go to Dearborn County and harvest for 50 cents per day. He died September 20, 1886. The latter was born in Kentucky, September 16, 1818, and died January 20, 1887. Our subject’s early life was spent on the old homestead farm a part of which he now owns. He received a good common school education, in the old pioneer schoolhouse. At the age of twenty-one years he began life for himself, his vocation being that of a farmer. In August, 1862, he volunteered in the War of the Rebellion, Company I, Seventieth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. William Fisher. He has the honor of serving under Gen. Benjamin Harrison. He was detailed into the Pioneer Corps of the Army of the Cumberland. He participated in several of the hard-fought battles; among them may be named the battle of Stone River, and was in the brigade that supported the famous Chicago Board of Trade Battery, commanded by Capt. Stokes. He served three years, and received an honorable discharge, at Nashville Tenn., in June, 1865. On May 2, 1866, he was united in marriage with Mildred A. Johnson, a daughter of Henry and Ellen (Harmon) Johnson. The former was born in Kentucky, April 30, 1820, the latter was born May 20, 1826. This union was blessed with the following children, viz.: Curtis M. born February 24, 1867; Clay A., December 27, 1868; Minnie L. O., January 11, 1871; Ebenezer D., June 7, 1874; William A., September 14, 1876; Samuel B., November 26, 1878; Laura E., February 8, 1881. The mother of these children was born May 24, 1848. Mr. Harbert is a fluent writer, and has contributed numerous poems to the Franklin Republican; and has in addition to this, written many songs of merit. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the James Wagner Post No. 177, at Greenwood, Ind. In politics, he is a republican, casting his first presidential vote for Lincoln. He now owns seventy acres of good land in Clark Township.

Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker

Banta, D. D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888, page 487.