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- Karen Abel:
UID: FFEFE1C3717B4CEB836481999A97B1BC5418
APTISM WITNESSES: Jacob Frank, Friedrich Pfaff
DATE OF BIRTH
Family sources give his date of birth as 31 Jan, while church records say 19 Feb.
CENSUS
The 1900 Census for McPherson Co., SD, indicates that Johann immigrated in 1886, while his wife immigrated in 1887. It says that he became naturalized and that he was a farmer. It also indicates that Maria had given birth to 12 children and that 8 were then living.
1920 - Eureka, McPherson, SD: John J. Harr 66, subscription agent for paper - Anna 64 - Reinhart 25, proprietor-grocery store - Henry 21
CHURCH RECORDS
The Odessa Library has an index for the Zion Lutheran Church Records of Eureka, SD. Birth dates for the children born there are from those records. The months of birth are different from those mentioned in the above cited census, however the years of birth are the same. These church records also indicated Johann's wife's name as Anna Maria Kuntz.
HOMESTEAD
The Rootsweb site has a listing of BLM records for McPherson Co., SD, in which Johann J. Harr homesteaded 2 parcels (totalling 160 acres) on 4 Oct 1898 (document ID #4029)
FAMILY HISTORY
Article by Johann J. Harr (in German with English translation--source unknown):
"My grandfather came from the town of Glatten, Kreis Schwartzwald, Wuerttemburg, and was assistant medical officer with the military in Stuttgart. In 1812 or 1815 he went to Russia, when the then reigning Kaiser Alexander called the first German settlers to Russia. My grandfather first established himself in Grossliebental, but soon moved to Odessa, which was then in its early stages of development, and established himself as a doctor. Soon, however, he accepted an advantageous offer from Count Musevasal and moved to the Count's estate as veterinarian for the Taurish government. In 1820 he moved back to Odessa and took a position as veterinarian with Count Kobelev. He died there in 1831.
My grandmother then moved to Grossliebental, where she received a life pension of one hundred rubles per year from Count Kobelev. Later she moved to Johannestal, where her daughter Katharina Maas lived. My father was confirmed in Johannestal and also was educated to be a veterinarian. In 1850 he took a position with General Nowitzkn in Ananjewer and in 1851 married my mother Katharina Schatz from Neufreudental. I was born there in 1853.
In 1856 my father joined General Kriworotow, north of Ananjew, and in 1859, General Leopold Brams, near Beresowka. I went to the German school in Neufreudental and in 1868 was confirmed by Pastor Schamburg in Johannestal. I was supposed to learn the profession of my father, but I couldn't tolerate animal surgery, and entered the chancellery as an apprentice scribe. I later served as scribe and teacher in small towns. In 1876 I married my wife, Anna Maria Kunz, who was from Rohrbach, and who is still living. At that time I was tutor in the home of Herr Heinrich Hoffman. In 1877-78 I was in Bitschental and later with Herr Philipp Roemmich as tutor. Besides this I pursued farming. There was a bad harvest and I lost almost everything. In 1882 I entered the employ of the British Bible Society in Odessa and worked five years as a travelling colporteur [note: bible salesman]--the first two years in Chersonschen and Bessrabbischen, the third and fourth years in Wolhnischen, and the last year in the Crimea. From there I went to America in 1887, and in July went to Yankton, SD. In 1888 I moved to Eureka and worked for Mr Simms of Roscoe in his firm. In 1889 I took preemption [of public land] three miles west of Eureka, built a small house and bought a pair of oxen. My wife worked on the farm and I in the firm of Sprenger and Weis. In the fall I______ the land, sold the oxen, mortgaged [transferred?] the land and built a house in the city. I worked in the machinery firm of Martin Schamber until 1894. I then took a homestead a half-mile south of Eureka and managed it mayself until 1912. I then moved to the city and let my oldest son have the land. I now make my home in Eureka and have six living children, two sons and four daughters.
In 79 years
Has so much happened to me,
And I've experienced so much,
But God has led me.
I praise his constancy,
And cry, Lord, stay by me!"
________________________________________
Excerpt from "Eureka 1887-1937" compiled by Eureka's Golden Jubilee Organization
JOHANN J. HARR
Among the most picturesque and colorful characters of Eureka pioneers was Johann Jacob Harr. During the latter period of his life he was known both in the community and outside as Judge Harr. Possessed of a good education from his native land it was only natural that he should assume certain leadership in many enterprises in the community. Although an ardent democrat, during his entire career in this country, he never sought major political office. Active in local political circles, his sole service in public office was as police judge, which office gave him the title, "Judge."
A brief story of his life, published in the Northwest Blade and written by its editor, sums up the train of events which will conceivably grow into legend. The story follows:
Johann Jacob Harr was born in Neufreudental, Russia, in the year 1858. In his youth he attended schools in Russia and upon reaching manhood, was employed as a teacher of Russian and German schools in Russia, later he was a traveling agent for a Bible publishing company in that country. He was united in marriage in October, 1876, to Anna Marie Kunz. They located for a year at Yankton, South Dakota, then came to this vicinity and resided here since that time. As a young man Mr. Harr was employed in various general stores in Eureka, including the store of Martin Schamber, Sr., where he worked for many years until the time that he homesteaded on a claim south of town, later selling this property and buying another farm one-half mile west. They retired from the farm in 1909. Mr. Harr also traveled for the Dakota Freie Presse for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Harr were the parents of eleven children, three of whom died in infancy. His wife preceded him in death for a few years. The surviving children are: John F. Harr, Stockton, California; Katherine Pietz, Eureka; Elizabeth Grosz, Tolstoy; Theo Harr, Miller, and Martha Temple, Marion, S. Dak. Two brothers also survive: Daniel Harr, Eureka; Gottlieb Harr, Siberia, Russia; two sisters: Mrs. Karolina Schmierer, Streeter, N. Dak.; Katharina Schweigert, Bismarck; eighteen grand children: Irma and Herbert Stickel; Max, Leo, Walter, Linda and Anna Harr; Ella Pietz Fergus; Verona, Hugo, Robert, Vera and Quentin Grosz; Elmer, Raymond, Ann May and Ella Harr and Bernice Harr.
Mr. Harr was an ardent church worker and was the last of the charter members of the Eureka Lutheran Church and was reader of the sermons for years before a regular minister was secured. He donated the plot of ground for the Lutheran cemetary and was an untiring worker in any worthy cause. Mr. Harr was one of the organizers of the Northwest German Farmers Mutual Insurance Company and served in the capacity of secretary of the organization for fourteen years. He was also justice of the peace for many years. He was an enthusiastic follower of the democratic party during his entire life in this country. Mr Harr was a devoted husband and father.
CAUSE OF DEATH
Hypertensive heart disease, congestive failure, asthma.
Sources:
1. Title: Odessa Library - Publication: www.odessa3.org
2. Title: St. Petersburg Church Books, 1833-1885 - Evangelische Kirche, Konsistorium Petersburg -#1883188/2, p. 74
3. Title: Ralph Wiseman
4. Title: Article by Johann Jacob Harr (born 1853)
5. Title: John Kunz - most of his information on the family of Johann Jacob Harr was supplied by Johann Jacob's granddaughter Vera (Grosz) Lilly.
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1853 - 1936 (83 Jahre)
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