Military Monday – Killed at Camp Perry

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.

Friends of Friends Friday – Henry Harless Estate, 1857

An Account of Sales of negro Slaves of the Estate of Henry Harless, deceased, sold by attorney R. Davis the administrator on the 5th day of January AD 1857 upon a credit of twelve months –

Negro Bob to Tabius T Hill – for $1730.00
[Negro] Jerry [to] Tabius T Hill [for] $1700.00
[Negro] Georgiana [to] Mary M Harless [for] $1000.00
[Negro] Fanny [to] D. T. Harless [for]   $240.00
$4670.00
Subscribed and sworn to
this 13th day of January
1857 Before me
N C Oliver judge.
             A R Davis adm.

An account of the sales of negro slaves of the estate of Henry Harless

“Alabama, Estate Files, 1830-1976,” digital images, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 27 September 2013), image copy, Sale of Negroes, dated 13 January 1857, Greene County Estate Files, Henry Harless #1316

Friends of Friends Friday is a way to share “records of enslaved ancestors, whether they are your own ancestors or not…” I haven’t come across very many mentions of slaves in my search for Harlesses and I like to think this is because so few Harlesses were slave owners, but the ones I do come across will be shared on Friends of Friends Fridays.

Henry Harless

Born: circa 1804.
Died: before 16 April 1856.
Parents: David Harless and Elizabeth Paine.
Spouse: Mary Moore Hamner.
Known Children: David M. Harless, Martha Ann Harless, Margaret E. Harless, John Henry Harless, Mary B. Harless.
Relationship to Johan Philip Harless: great-grandson.

  1. Johan Philip Harless.
  2. Henry Harless.
  3. David Harless.
  4. Henry Harless.

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.

Bernard Victor Harless Obituary

Bernard V. Harless, 91, of Pacific Junction, died Nov. 24, 2012, at the Hospice With Heart facility in Glenwood. Funeral services are Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Peterson Mortuary in Glenwood. Rev. Gene Hilton will officiate. Interment will be held in the Martin Chapel Cemetery, Pacific Junction. A memorial fund has been established.

Bernard was born Feb. 20, 1921, in Laird, Colo., to Harold Victor and Geneva (Atwood) Harless. Following high school, Bernard faithfully served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corp. from 1942-45.

Bernard married Myrna M. Rupe Dec. 11, 1943, in Glenwood. To this union two children were born, Karen and Gregg. Bernard was employed as a railroad clerk for Burlington Northern Railroad until his retirement. He was a member of the Full Faith Church and Masonic Lodge. Bernard was a man of many talents. His woodworking, painting and making jewelry were just a few of his crafts. He could sew beautiful clothing for his family. Gardening and outdoor animals also gave him great pleasure. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be deeply missed.

Preceding Bernard in death were his parents, sister, Margaret Mott and brother, Robert Harless. He is survived by his wife, Myrna Harless of Pacific Junction; children, Karen and Don Meredith of Omaha, Neb.; Gregg and Jackie Harless and grandson, Bryan Harless all of Glenwood: two half-sisters, Shirley Godfrey of Arvada, Colo.; Myra Rucker of Denver; nieces, nephews, extended relatives and many friends.

Bernard Victor Harless

Born: 20 February 1921.
Died: 24 November 2012.
Parents: Harold Victor Harless and Geneva Atwood.
Spouse: Myrna M. Rupe.
Known Children: Karen Harless, Gregg Harless.
Relationship to Johan Philip Harless: 5th great-grandson.

  1. Johan Philip Harless.
  2. Henry Harless.
  3. George Harless.
  4. Thomas Henry Harless.
  5. Marion G. Harless.
  6. Clarence Claude Harless.
  7. Harold Victor Harless.
  8. Bernard Victor Harless.