Typed by: Kay Cunningham

 

 

 

THOMAS D. HARLAN

 

 

SURNAMES: HARALN, LANGSTON, JACKSON, CLEMENTS, RICHARDSON, DUNHAM, McGLASSON, LLOYD, MARTIN.

     Thomas D. Harlan, b June 1, 1831 in Laurens District, South Carolina, d February 5, 1910 and buried in Stranger Cemetery at Stranger, Falls County, Texas - was a son of Reverend James and Margaret (Langston) Harlan, who moved to Tallapoosa County, Alabama.

     Thomas was married on July 31, 1853 to Rebecca Charity Jackson, b November 8, 1834, d August 13, 1914 when struck by lightning, and buried in Stranger Cemetery - a daughter of John Wesley and Lydia (Clements) Jackson.

     In 1856, Thomas and a group of five related families left Alabama for Arkansas, coming through Red River County to Falls County, Texas by 1868.

     Thomas bought land until, by 1892, he owned 680 acres. He built the two-story residence  which is presently owned by a granddaughter, Mrs. G. A. Richard- son (nee Agnes Margueritte Harlan).

     During the Civil War, Thomas worked in government shops as a carpenter. He built a mule-powered gin at Blue Ridge, ran a corn mill, made coffins - which his wife lined with cheesecloth. His was furnished with piped water from a windmill to a wooden storage tank.

     Thomas was a Mason, a member of the Methodist- Episcopal Church, worshipping at Stranger.

     After the mule-powered gin became obsolete, he built a steam gin which was in continuous operation by a son, John Luther, and grandson, Lloyd Wesley, until 1966.

     The children of Thomas D. and Rebecca (Jackson) Harlan were:

     Elisha Harlan, b May 27, 1854 in Tallapoosa County, Alabama - married Gustavia Albert Benton.

     Margaret Langston Harlan, b July 19, 1859 in Arkansas, d November 1, 1886 and buried in Stranger Cemetery.

     William Lafayette Harlan, b January 20, 1861 in Arkansas - married Zelda Dunham.

      John Luther Harlan, b August 22, 1867 in Red River County, Texas - married Elizabeth McGlasson.

     Alice Lydia Harlan, b February 24, 1870, d January 16, 1913 - married Charles W. Lloyd.

     Aaron Laurens Harlan, b January 1, 1873 - married Sarah McGlasson - a cousin of Elizabeth who married his brother,     John Luther Harlan.

     James Lee Harlan, b January 18, 1876, d May 11, 1959 - married Mabel Martin, b February 17, 1882, d February 3, 1968.

 

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 215 Column 1 and 2.  
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.