Person:Thomas Harlan (5)

According to Jody Dillard:

Thomas D. moved to Tallapoosa County, Alabama with his parents in 1839. He and Rebecca moved to Sevier County, Arkansas the latter part of Nov. 1856; in 1865 to Red River County, Texas and to Falls County, Texas in 1867.

From.... A Memorial and History of McLennan, Falls, Bell and Coryel lCounties. Published 1893

Thomas D. Harlan: one of the most thrifty and enterprising farmers of Falls County, was born in the State of South Carolina in the year of 1831 and emigrated thence to Alabama in 1856: he afterward removed to Arkansas and in 1868 came to Texas. He pitched his tent beneath two trees that now afford a graceful shade and adornment to his home. At the age of 21 years he was thrown upon his own resources, and without capital excepting that which nature had endowed him. At the time he came to Texas, he owned a team, a wagon and a rifle; here he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed eight or ten years without interruption. He then engaged in farming, and in connection, after a few years, he began dealing in livestock. He has also been interested in ginning. With great energy and excellent judgement he has conducted his affairs, and is now the owner of 680 acres, 270 of which are under cultivation; he also keeps about 100 head of livestock.

He was united in marriage in 1853, to Rebecca Jackson, a native of Georgia and a daughter of Wesley and Lydia Clements Jackson, natives of South Carolina. Nine children have been born to this union.

Politically, Mr. Harlan affiliates with the Democratic Party, and socially is associated with the Masonic Order. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and take an active interest in the work of this great body. In all his business career, he has dealt honorably and uprightly with his fellow men, and stands in the highest estimation of the citizens of Falls County.

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. Richardson (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 home 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 Jody Dillard for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families. "Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 215 Column 1 and 2.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Rootsweb chart of Jody Dillard: James C. Dillard Family wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi op GET db jody44.