Harlow M. Coon

Surnames: Burdick, Crumb, Dowse, Stillman

Regions: Leonardsville, Madison Co., NY; Otsego Co., NY; Walworth Co., WI

From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, publ. 1912, Page 1310-1312 HARLOW M. COON. History and biography for the most part record the lives of only those who have attained military, political or literary distinction or who in any other career have passed through extraordinary vicissitudes of fortune. But the names of men who have distinguished themselves in their day and generation for the possession of those qualities of character which mainly contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability - of men who, without brilliant talents, having been exemplary in all their personal and social relations, and enjoyed the esteem, respect and confidence of those around them - ought not to be allowed to perish, for all are benefited by the delineation of those traits of character which find scope and exercise in the common walks of life. Among the individuals of this class of a past generation in Walworth county was Harlow M. COON, for many years a well known agriculturist, merchant and public official, who had the interests of the village of Walworth at heart, which he sought to promote whenever possible. His life history was distinguished by the most substantial qualities of character and exhibited a long and virtuous career of private industry, performed with moderation and crowned with success, and his memory will long be revered by the people of this locality. Mr. COON was born at West Edmeston, Otsego county, New York, on February 14, 1819. He was the son of Ezra and Cyrena (BURDICK) COON. The COON family is descended from the McCOONS of Scotland. The first of whom we have record to emigrate to America were Daniel and Rhoda (STILLMAN) McCOON, who came from Aberdeen to Hopkinton, Rhode Island. Their son Joshua was the father of Daniel, who had a son also named Daniel, who in turn was the father of Ezra, the latter being the father of Harlow M., father of H. Irving. The house in which this family lived in Rhode Island was one hundred and fifty years old and still habitable in 1900. They moved to the state of New York in 1798, when Ezra COON was three years old. Harlow M. COON emigrated to Walworth county, Wisconsin in 1843, and taught school in Walworth township two years, then bought a farm three miles east of the village of Walworth on which he lived ten years. His health failing, he rented his farm and moved to the village of Walworth and built a store where he engaged in general merchandizing, building up a very satisfactory trade with the surrounding country. Two years later he bought a farm on the southern outskirts of Walworth; to this he added from time to time and there spent the balance of his life, successfully engaged in the general farming and stock raising. The village now covers a part of the farm. Mr. COON was married in December 1844, to Harriet CRUMB, daughter of Joseph and Harriet (DOWSE) CRUMB. She was born in Leonardsville, Madison county, New York, and she came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, with her parents in 1842. Her parents were both natives of Leonardsville and there they spent their earlier lives. They were of English descent. The CRUMB family settled a mile east of the village of Walworth and took up five hundred and sixty acres of land, part in prairie and part in timber. This was improved and Mr. CRUMB became one of the leading farmers of the county, continuing to reside on his farm here until his death. His family consisted of seven children, who lived to maturity. Harlow M. COON took a leading part in public affairs, and for nine years he served as town clerk, and was justice of the peace for many years, giving eminent satisfaction in both offices, as might be inferred from his long retention in them. He was always actively interested in promoting the cause of education and religion. He took part in the original organization in the Seventh-Day Baptist Church society; he was church clerk for many years and was a deacon until his death. He was a man of exemplary character and enjoyed the esteem and respect of all who knew him. The death of this excellent citizen occurred on April 13, 1899, after an eminently successful, useful and honorable life, the uplifting influence of which will be felt for many a day. The death of Mrs. Harlow M. COON occurred in November 1884. She was a woman of beautiful Christian character. Their family consisted of three children, namely: Phoebe S. was the eldest; Harriet Evaline married Rev. Alexander McLEARN, for some time pastor of the Seventh-Day Baptist church, and his death occurred on March 17, 1907; she and her brother and sister now live in the south edge of the village of Walworth. H. Irving, the youngest of the children, was born on April 19, 1855, and he has lived most of his life on the farm in the southern part of Walworth. He built the present modern handsome residence of the family in 1908. For several years he has engaged in the fire insurance business, having the agency for a member of the leading American companies, and has built up a large patronage. He has been very successful as a man of affairs and is a worthy successor of his noble father in public and social life. He is now in his third term as president of the village, and he has done much for the permanent good of the town and vicinity. During his administration the present superb water works system was installed and the village administration has been a progressive one. He and his sisters are all influential members of the Seventh-Day Baptist church. Submitted by Carol