Wedding Wednesday – Marie Harless and Norman Brogan

Almost 73 years ago, Marie Harless, the 17 year old daughter of Belva Lockwood Brown and Lightburn Bernie Harless, married Norman B. Brogan in Russell, Greenup County, Kentucky. I have often wondered if the couple chose to marry in Kentucky because Marie was under age to marry in West Virginia without parental consent.

The newspaper reported:

Mrs. Norman Brogan is the former Miss Marie Harless, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Harless of Dunbar, who was married Sept. 14 in Russell, Ky., [to Norman Brogan,] son of Mrs. Rosamonde A. Black and nephew of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Brogan. Rev. John R. Gilpin read the ceremony in the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Bever Justices of Oak Hill and Mr. Fred Harless.

The bride attended Madison schools and her husband, an employee of the Graveley Motor company in Dunbar, was graduated from Dunbar high school. The couple resides at 320 McAndrews street, Dunbar.

Marie Harless Wedding

 

The Charleston Gazette, Charleston, WV, 27 September 1940.

Marie Harless

Born: 6 March 1923.
Died: 
Parents: Lightburn Bernie Harless and Belva Lockwood Brown.
Spouse: Norman B. Brogan.
Known Children: unknown.
Relationship to Johan Philip Harless: 5th great-granddaughter.

  1. Johan Philip Harless.
  2. Martin Harless.
  3. Philip Harless.
  4. Philip Henry Harless.
  5. William Anderson Harless
  6. John William Harless.
  7. Lightburn Bernie Harless.
  8. Marie Harless.

Last Will and Testament of James Burwell Harless

State of West Virginia, County of Kanawha and town of Marmet.

I, J. B. Harless, with a sound mind on this the 24th day of February, 1914 in the presents of Albert Hearrold and J. C. Leavens, make my last will and testament to-wit: at my death I hereby make the following disposal of my property:

W. B. Harless, C. D. Harless, Flora Evines and Sybil Harless are to have an equal part of my estate, Improvements to be considered. Sybil Harless is not to come in possession of his part untill he reaches the age of 21 years. In case I should not live I here by name W. B. and C. D. Harless as his Guardian untill he does reach the age of 21 years.

My full meaning of this document is that the Four above named heirs shall shear and shear alike.

Signature of J. B. Harless J. B. Harless
Signature of witnesses C. A. Harold
J. C. Leavens

P. S. In case that Sybil Harless should die without leaving heirs of his own. His part shall be divided equeal among the other three heirs above mentions.

At a regular session of the County Court of Kanawha County, continued and held forsaid County at the Court House thereof on Saturday the 21st day of March, 1914.

A paper writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of J. B. Harless,  deceased, late of said County, was this day presented to the Court for probate, and the same being duly proven by the oaths of C. A. Harold and J. C. Leavens, the subscribing witnesses thereto, the said paper writing is admitted to probate and ordered to be recorded as filed as and for the last will and testament of the said decedent.

Teste:  L C Massey. Clerk
Kanawha County Court.

Will of James Burwell Harless

James Burwell Harless last will and testament

“West Virginia Will Books, 1756-1971,” digital images, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 23 September 2013), image copy, will of J. B. Harless, dated 24 February 1914, Kanawha County Wills, Vol. 7, p. 285.

An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts.

James Burwell Harless

Born: 27 February 1840.
Died: 14 March 1914.
Parents: James Howard Harless and Spicey Barker.
Spouse: Mary Ellen Barker.
Known Children: Wyatt J. Harless, Myrtle J. Harless, Watson Berry Harless, Naoma Harless, Commodore D. Harless, Flora Belle Harless.
Relationship to Johan Philip Harless: 2nd great-grandson.

  1. Johan Philip Harless.
  2. Martin Harless.
  3. Philip Harless.
  4. James Howard Harless.
  5. James Burwell Harless.