Category Archives: West Virginia

Military Monday – Cpl. Fred Harless

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Cpl. Fred Harless Cited For Bravery

Seng Creek, March 14 – Mr. and Mrs. Fred Harless, of Seng Creek, have just received word that their son, Cpl. Fred Vernor Harless, recorder for Battery C., 30th F.A. Battalion, displayed unusual bravery and quick thinking during the recent exercise Leap Year in Erlangen, Germany.

Cpl. Harless, who is in the U. S. Army in Germany, was near a combat-loaded tank when it went out of control on an icy road, struck two trees, slid across the road onto a bridge then off into a 15-foot ditch, overturning and trapping the crew inside.

When some other soldiers yelled that the tank had overturned and was on fire Harless ran to see what could be done. Seeing the fire he ran back to a truck and grabbed the fire extinguisher.

Soldiers stopped Harless when he returned to the scene saying the tank was loaded with shells but Harless broke away and began trying to put the fire out. Before he could open the escape hatch of the tank the fire gained new fury. He finally succeeded in extinguish it and managed to get the escape hatch open allowing the crew to escape.

Cpl. Harless’ display of bravery beyond the call of duty to release the tank crew when the ammunition might have exploded gained the everlasting thanks of the tank crew. Every member of his battalion is also proud of his action in saving both human lives and valuable equipment.

Fred Harless

Cpl. Fred Harless Cited For Bravery, Beckley Post-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia, 15 March 1952, p. 9, column 1.

Fred Vernor Harless

Born: unknown.
Died: unknown.
Parents: Fred Harless.
Spouse: unknown.
Known Children: none known.
Relationship to Johan Philip Harless: unknown.

  1. Fred Vernor Harless.

Wedding Wednesday – Marie Harless and Norman Brogan

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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

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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.

Anna Gae Harless Obituary

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Anna Gae Harless, 76, of Alkol went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, July 5, 2005, at home after a short illness.

She was a member of Bear Branch Church of Christ and was a retired teacher’s assistant with South Western Community Action Council, Lincoln County, for 25 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willard and Mary Miller; sisters, Opal Thurmond and Betty Egnor; brother, Billy Miller; son, Lyle Harless; and grandson, Paul Miller.

She is survived by two daughters, Roseanna Asbury of Alkol and Linda Bowling of Madison; son, Michael Miller of Alkol; sister, Mildred Adkins of Alkol; two brothers, Don and Dorsey Miller, both of Alkol; grandsons, Jeff and Mike Miller, Shane and Chad Bowling, Anthony Harless and Jackie Asbury; great-grandson, Reece Miller; and great-granddaughter, Bobbi RaeAnn Miller.

A special thanks goes to hospice care workers, Sally Starkey, Donna Farr and Jody Huffman.

Services will be 2 p.m. Friday, July 8, at Bear Branch Church of Christ, Alkol, with Minister Brian Barrett and Minister Ronnie Linville officiating. Burial will be in Bear Branch Cemetery, Spurlocksville.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, and one hour prior to service at the church.

The Charleston Gazette, 7 July 2005

Anna Gae Miller

Born: 14 May 1929.
Died: 5 July 2005.
Parents: Willard and Mary Miller.
Spouse: Henson Roy Harless.
Known Children: Michael Miller, Henson R. Harless, Barry Harless, Lyle J. Harless, Gregory Jean Harless, Kathy June Harless.
Relationship to Johan Philip Harless: wife of 5th great-grandson.

  1. Johan Philip Harless.
  2. Martin Harless.
  3. Michael Harless.
  4. Clara Harless.
  5. Russell H. Harless.
  6. Willard Worth Harless.
  7. Joseph Woodard Harless.
  8. Henson Roy Harless and Anna Gae Miller.

Anna L. Harless Obituary

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Anna L. Harless, 79, of Marmet died April 29, 2001, in Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston, after a long illness.

She was a homemaker and a Baptist.

She was preceded in death by her son, Timothy Wayne Harless.

Surviving are: husband, George T. Harless; daughters, Sandra Irvin of Vienna, Shirley Estep of Poca, Linda Slepetz of Herndon, Va., Patty Jo Beans of Charles Town; sons, George A. Harless of Chelyan, Earl L. Harless of Fairfax; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren.

Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, at Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet, with the Rev. John Hudson officiating. Burial will follow in Marmet Cemetery, Marmet.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

The family welcomes floral contributions or, if you prefer, donations to Hubbard Hospice House, 1001 Kennawa Dr., Charleston, WV 25311.

Anna Laura Harless

Born: 7 September 1922.
Died: 29 April 2001.
Parents: William Henry Brace.
Spouse: George Theodore Harless.
Known Children: George A. Harless, Earl Lee Harless, Shirley Ann Harless, Linda Sue Harless, Sandra Jean Harless, Patty Jo Harless, Timothy Wayne Harless.
Relationship to Johan Philip Harless: wife of 5th great-grandson.

  1. Johan Philip Harless.
  2. Martin Harless.
  3. Philip Harless.
  4. James Howard Harless.
  5. James Burwell Harless.
  6. Flora Belle Harless.
  7. Sibble Virginia Harless.
  8. George Theodore Harless and Anna Laura Brace.