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H. HARMES, farmer, Wayne Twp., Secs. 16 and 17; P.O. Langworthy; born in Germany in 1828; came to America in 1857, to Illinois; lived there nine years; came to Jones Co. in 1866; owns 170 acres-eighty in Sec. 16, eighty in Sec. 17, and ten in Scotch Grove Township. Wife's maiden name was Maria Johnson, a native of the old country also; they were married in 1858; have had eight children; six are living—Annie Maria, Harmann, Gerd, Tena, Maria and Johanna. Mr. and Mrs. Harmes are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics, he is independent.
Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 625.
HARM HARMS. Among the worthy German-American citizens of Jones County to whose efforts can be traced much of the progress of this thriving portion of the state, is this gentleman, who is President of the Clover Leaf Creamery Company; he has long been an active agriculturist of Wayne Township. Mr. Harms was born in Hanover, Germany, December 21, 1828, being the son of John H. and Anna Maria (Reanker) Harms. The father was a farmer and continued to reside in the Old Country until his death.
 In the excellent schools of the Fatherland our subject received a good education and remained a student until he was fourteen years of age. He worked on his father's farm until 1857, when he made up his mind that he would try his fortunes in the United States, believing that the New World afforded better opportunities for a young man of energetic and industrious disposition. Taking passage in the sailing-vessel "Orpheus," he landed in New York City after forty days passed upon the briny deep. From the metropolis he proceeded direct to Madison County, Ill., where he went to work on a farm, and while there met and married Miss Maria Johnston. After this event the young couple settled upon a farm in the same county, which was rented by Mr. Harms until 1866. That year he removed with his family to Jones County and bought eighty acres of land. He engaged in general farming and stock-raising and of late years has been particularly interested in the dairy business, in which he has met with good success. As the years have passed he has extended the boundaries of his farm little by little as he could afford it, until he now owns two hundred and forty acres of the choicest land to be found in the county. Besides carrying on strictly legitimate farming in a very practical method, Mr. Harms has made a goodly sum from buying, selling and shipping live stock. On his place are substantial and well fitted barns and outbuildings, and a deep, never failing well, wind pump and suitable tanks afford a sufficient water supply for his stock.
One of the principal organizers of the Clover Leaf Creamery Company, and having long been an advocate of the system, Mr. Harms was eminently fitted to become President of the enterprise, to which position he was unanimously elected by the stockholders. This creamery, which has only recently been formed, bids fair to be one of the substantial industries of Jones County, and long experience has demonstrated the fact that creameries are of great benefit to agriculturists and the community at large, for they can more easily reach the consumer, and as they handle milk, butter and cheese in large quantities, are better enabled to supply the public with standard articles. Mr. Harms is a member of the Mutual Insurance Company and is now officiating as its secretary. This company insures only farm property and numbers among its patrons the most progressive and careful farmers of this region. In his political faith Mr. Harms is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and in every way endeavors to fulfill the obligations of citizenship.
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Harms, the eldest of whom, Anna M., is the wife of C. Schatz. Herman is a practical farmer. Tena became the wife of Adam Scheer, and the two younger sons, Gerd and John, are also living under the parental roof and assisting their father in the cultivation of the farm, while Maria is at home assisting her mother.
Source: Dubuque, Jones, and Clayton Counties History, 1894, pgs. 301-302
Submitted by: Becky Teubner
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