Vermilion County, Illinois - Heroes and Distinguished People, 1911

Every community, however small, has its representative heroes. Sometimes they are heroes of war, and sometimes they are the no less heroes of peace. Vermilion County has these, and the list is much longer than limited space will permit of naming. This is the reason that in compiling this list, local celebrities have been passed and only those whose influence was away from, as well as at, home, have been mentioned.

This list of distinguished people is, as a matter of course, headed by the name of Speaker Cannon. Danville and Vermilion County are both better known as being the home of Speaker Cannon, than in any other way. Mr. Calhoun is a conspicuous figure in the world of affairs, and his citizenship, although more remote, is none the less valid. Judge Wilkin was a citizen of whom any community would be proud even though he had not won the distinction he did. Vermilion County has not been without people distinguished in the world of letters, and the writings of Mary Hubbwell Catherwood has made her home place distinguished. Mr. Hiram Beckwith was a recognized historian of merit. The state of Illinois loves to do him honor. Gurdon Hubbard is a representative of the past whose efforts should not be forgotten. Samuel McRoberts is one of the forgotten statesmen of that period of national life which tried men's souls. He represents Illinois as United States Senator. Aside from the field of politics and letters, there have been other walks in life where Vermilion County men have distinguished themselves. Rev. James Ashmore, the evangelist and missionary, did a work which distinguished him. Vicar General O'Reilly is another name which comes in the list from Vermilion County. The hero whom the people of Vermilion County most love, is Col. Harmon, the popular citizen who left his adopted home to lead a regiment in battle where he lost his own life. This was many years ago, yet his memory is fresh and the people are true in their devotion to him. Gen. John C. Black, has had all the honor possible given him to attest the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. Michael Kelley, the captain of industry, was a conspicuous figure in the community for years. Judge Davis was a man who reflected honor on his home, and was held in highest respect not only in his own community but in the state.

Vermilion County is preeminently an agricultural section. As such the ignoring of a prominent man in that line would be inexcusable. Harvey Sowdowsky made the agricultural interest what they are by his work in cattle breeding. Other men and women have been conspicuous in the affairs of the county but hardly to the extent as the above named.

Oscar Fitzallen Harmon who was born in Rochester, N. Y., on May 31, 1827, was the second of six sons of Ira and Corinna (Brown) Harmon. His mother was the lineal descendent of Steven Hopkins of the Mayflower. The great-great-grandfather, Tristrane Brown, was, in the early days of the country a landed slave holder in southeastern New York. The grandfather of Oscar Fitzallen Harmon, Solomon Brown, was a "minute man" in the war of the Revolution. He was afterward a baptist minister in Western New York. His father's first ancestor to arrive in this country was John Harmon of Norfolk County, Eng., who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1643. He lived in Springfield, Mass., from 1644 until his death in 1661. Two of John Harmon's descendents, Samuel and Joseph settled in Suffield County in 1670. The branch of the family from which Oscar Harmon sprang, lived in western Massachusetts through the i8th Century, and his grandfather Rawson Harmon removed to Monroe County, New York in about 1818. He preempted government land and settled himself and six sons in the wonderful Genesee valley. Oscar F. Harmon, having been reared by parents who were of the Baptist denomination, professed his faith in Christ and united with that church, at the age of seventeen years. About this time he wrote in his diary (one leaf of which only is to be had) of his deep desire for a good education and his wish to enter college. This privilege, however, was given only to the oldest son of the family who enjoyed a course at Yale and afterwards having married, at Brown. Beside the school near his home Oscar F. Harmon attended school at Limi, N. Y., also the Bancroft school called Round Top at Northampton, Massachusetts. His decision about this time to become a lawyer sent him to the then celebrated law school at Ballstron, Spa., N. Y., where he studied for a year and a half. He then entered the law office in Rochester of Judge Griffin and Judge Darwin E. Smith and read law with them for another year and a half and on December 3rd, 1850, was examined before the Supreme Court of the state at Albany and granted a certificate of admission to practice as attorney and counsellor at law. He taught school for a time near his home. Deciding to go west he visited Detroit and remaining in La Fayette for several weeks, he located permanently in Danville in 1853. In 1854 he was admitted to the Illinois Bar and in 1860 to the U. S. Circuit Court for the Southern District of Illinois. He then formed a law partnership with Oliver L. Davis, which continued until the latter was appointed Judge. Mr. Harmon was a representative from the 37th Senatorial District in the 2ist General Assembly for i858-'6o. When the i25th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, was formed, Oscar F. Harmon was made the Colonel. He led his men with unfaltering courage into all danger and at the battle of Kenesaw mountain, met his death from a bullet of the enemy. Never was there a more brave soldier, nor commander whom his men loved better. His death cast a gloom over Vermilion County and his name is reverenced with honor.