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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Milo HARLAN 

Pages 358 and 361, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: COWMAN, HARLAN] 

   
MILO HARLAN is a well-known and influential citizen of Young Hickory Township and bears a prominent part in the various affairs of the township. He is social, benevolent and energetic, has a good war record and an established reputation as a farmer. He is now filling the office of Township Collector, and in previous years has held school offices. To whatever position he is called he brings a determination to faithfully serve his fellow-men and deal honorably in every particular. 
    
The ancestral history of Mr. Harlan may be read in the sketch of A. J. Harlan, which occupies another page in this volume. [396] He is the third in a family of nine children and was born near Wilmington, Clinton County, Ohio, March 13, 1840. He had three miles to go to school, but the institutions of learning were good and he laid a fair foundation before the age of ten years. At that time his parents, with seven children, started for Polk County, Iowa, their method of travel being a team and wagon. They were three weeks in reaching this county, which the father liked so well that he remained. He was of a mechanical turn, able to take up almost any trade, and had on his farm in the Buckeye State been engaged in brick-making. After concluding to remain here, he engaged in that work for David Cowman. In the spring of 1852 he continued on to his previous destination with two wagons drawn by oxen, crossing the Mississippi on a ferry at Burlington, and spending two or three months in breaking Iowa prairie. In July he returned to Central Illinois, took up his abode in Abingdon and pursued various occupations until 1853. He then farmed near London Mills, and in the spring of 1854 settled on one hundred and sixty acres in the township which is still the home of his son. 
    
Milo Harlan attended the subscription schools in the winter, sitting on a slab bench in a log house heated by a fire-place, and in the summer drove oxen and otherwise helped on the farm. When the war broke out two of his brothers enlisted, and when, in August, 1862, a call was issued for six hundred thousand men, he volunteered, becoming a member of Company G, Eighty-third Illinois Infantry. He was mustered into the service at Galesburg, being first sent to Cairo, then to Fts. Henry and Donelson. The regiment was kept on detached service much of the time, doing guard duty and raiding the country in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. They had many skirmishes with the enemy and took part in the second battle at Ft. Donelson and the second fight at Nashville. After the former our subject was promoted to the rank of Corporal. He served until the close of the war, took part in the review at Nashville June 20, 1865, was then mustered out, and going to Chicago, received an honorable discharge. Although minie balls had pierced his hat he escaped bodily injury. 
    
When ready to resume the arts of peace, Mr. Harlan took charge of his father's farm and after a time bought out the other heirs. He has made many improvements upon the place, among them being a comfortable dwelling and two barns, one 30x46 feet and the other 30x48 feet in dimensions. The latter is used as a shelter for the cattle, which are graded Short-horns. Formerly Mr. Harlan kept full-blooded Short-horns and raised sheep of the best wool-producing breeds. He also, in connection with his brother A. J., bought sheep, cattle and hogs quite extensively for two or three years, and then abandoned that business as it was overdone. He raises quite large numbers of cattle and hogs, and feeds droves of the latter. He likewise raises Clydesdale and Norman horses of high grade. His estate comprises one hundred and sixty acres on section 3, situated about one mile from London Mills. It is fenced into convenient fields and cultivated by means of the latest farm machinery. It is supplied with natural groves, evergreens have also been set out and some raised from seed. 
    
Mr. Harlan formerly belonged to the Odd Fellows' Lodge, at London Mills. He is now identified with the Masonic fraternity at Fairview. He is a member of Joe Mower Post, No. 107, G. A. R., in which he has held every office but Commander. He was Quartermaster of the Encampment in 1888. It would be hard to find a stauncher Republican than he, or one better able to give a reason for his political faith. He has represented his associates in county and Congressional conventions. He discharges the duties of citizenship in a reliable manner, and the only fault his neighbors have to find with him is, that he has never married. His home is not, however, devoid of woman's presence, as he has his beloved mother with him.