Tag Archives: James Howard Harless

Military Monday – Killed at Camp Perry

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Charles Horneff [sic], Jr., of Wadsworth, a private in Company G, Eight Regiment, Ohio National Guard, was struck in the abdomen by a bullet from a rifle accidentally fired by an unknown member of Company F, Eighth Regiment, of Akron, at Camp Perry last Friday evening and almost instantly killed.

Later it was learned that the shot was from a rifle in the hands of Okey Harless who had borrowed the gun and thought it to be unloaded. The bullet went through five haversacks, a tent pole and heavy supply chest before striking the victim, 30 feet distant. Harless was exonerated by verdicts of the coroner and a military court of inquiry. This was the first fatal accident at Camp Perry since the camp was established.

Okey Harless killed Charles Horneff

Killed at Camp Perry, The News-Herald, Hillsboro, Ohio, 5 August 1909, page 4, column 1.

The dead man, Charles Hornoff, Jr., was just 23 years old, the same age as Okey Harless. Charles was born on 13 May 1886 in Guilford, Medina County, Ohio, to Charles Hornoff, Sr. and Emma M. Hartman.

Charles Hornoff death certificate

Charles Hornoff, Certificate of Death number 37351 (30 July 1909), Bureau of Vital Statistics, Ohio.

Okey Harless was the son of William Henry Harless and Frances Fernelia Keffer. He was born on 11 June 1886 in Iola, Roane County, West Virginia. Okey died on 7 March 1957 in Vienna, Wood County, West Virginia.

Okey Blaine Harless

Born: 11 June 1886.
Died: 7 March 1957.
Parents: William Henry Harless and Frances Fernelia Keffer.
Spouse: Alice Virginia Newell.
Known Children: none known.
Relationship to Johan Philip Harless: 3rd great-grandson and 4th great-grandson.

  1. Johan Philip Harless.
  2. Martin Harless.
  3. Philip Harless.
  4. James Howard Harless.
  5. William Henry Harless.
  6. Okey Blaine Harless.
  1. Johan Philip Harless.
  2. Philip Harless.
  3. Leroy Harless.
  4. Delilah Harless.
  5. Frances Fernelia Keffer.
  6. Okey Blaine 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 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.