FRANK M. HARBAUGH. The career of this young gentleman is one which may be reflected upon with profit. He began paddling his own canoe at an early stage of his existence, and after pulling up stream for a season finally found himself in smooth waters, and his course has since been one of uniform prosperity. He is now numbered among the influential lawyers of Sullivan, Moultrie County, where he located in 1883, and after experiencing the ups and downs incidental to the commencement of a professional life, he is on solid footing, with every indication of a prosperous and even brilliant future in the law.

Mr. Harbaugh has known no other home than Moultrie County, and he was born on his father's farm, one mile south of Sullivan, September 4, 1859. As is the usual experience of everyone reared upon a farm, he had few idle moments, even in his boyhood, being employed in aiding his father in the work of sowing and reaping, while he alternated this toilsome labor with attendance in the village school. He decided when quite young to enter upon a professional life, and therefore devoted himself assiduously to gaining knowledge. He entered the law department of the State University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and after taking a thorough course in that institution, he was graduated with the Class of '80. Soon afterward he was admitted to the bar at the Appelate Court, in Mt. Vernon, Ill. He began practice of his profession in Windsor, whence he removed to Lovington, sojourning in both places about three years, and coming to his present location in 1883.

The father of our subject, David Harbaugh, and his grandfather, Jacob, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and of Dutch descent, belonging to that substantial class of people who brought the Keystone State to its present state of development. Jacob Harbaugh grew to manhood upon a farm and in his early prime married a lady by the name of Sinclair. About 1831 they emigrated to Illinois, making the tedious journey overland, as was common in those days, and settling in what is now Sullivan Township, Moultrie County, before the town of Sullivan was laid out. The father purchased Government land, which he improved from the wilderness. Neighbors were very few, the country being sparsely settled, and improvements were only being begun. Amid these primeval scenes Jacob Harbaugh passed his declining years and there he died at a ripe old age.

The father of our subject has always been interested in farming pursuits, and now at the age of sixty-seven years, is hale and hearty, and makes his home in the city of Sullivan. He was married in this county to Miss Elizabeth Smith, a native of this county, who is living and has attained to the age of three-score and five years. Her parents were early settlers of this county and are now deceased. The mother of our subject is a consistent member of the Baptist Church and adorns her profession of faith by a noble and godly life. It may truly be said of her that her children "rise and call her blessed."

There were three children in the family circle, of who Leander, the eldest, died young. The surviving member of the family, besides our subject, is Lucretia, wife of Robert M. Peadro, attorney-at-law in Sullivan. Our subject is an enterprising, ambitious young gentleman, who will, undoubtedly, make his way to fortune and fame. In his political views he is a stalwart Democrat, devoted to the success of that party in both national and local affairs, and ever anxious to cast his ballot for the candidates nominated by his chosen party. He served as City Attorney with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He has also been Central Committeeman of the county, and is in various ways connected with the public affairs of this section.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 620/621

Transcription copyright 2003/2007, Moultrie County ILGenWeb/USGenWeb