Barton County, Missouri Biographies-Tom W. HARKLESS

History Of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade And Barton Counties, 
Missouri, 1889.  Published by Goodspeed. Page 899

Tom W. Harkless, mayor of Lamar, and a member of the firm of Harkless,
Allen & Co., was born in Belmont County, Ohio, September 20, 1857, and
is the son of James and Sarah J. (McConn) Harkless, natives of Ohio 
and West Virginia, respectively. The parents' courtship was rather 
romantic, culminating in flight and marriage. They settled in Ohio, 
where Mr. Harkless ,was engaged for some time in contracting on 
railroads; he helped build the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He amassed 
quite a fortune, but lost the principal part of it before he went to 
Cole County, Ill., in 186o. He then had to begin almost anew, and 
turned his attention to farming, which he conducted successfully until
he was in comfortable circumstances. The mother died at the age of 
forty-seven, and, later, Mr. Harkless married again. His death occurred
in September, 1833. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of 
the Methodist Church. Mrs. Harkless was a member of the Christian 
Church. To them were born six children, five now living, three sons 
and two daughters. James H. Harkless is a lawyer, and George A. is a
partner in the, above firm. Tom W. Harkless attained his growth on a 
farm and received a good practical education in the common schools. 
In 1879 he left the farm, and, for about three years, clerked for 
McCutchen & Jones, and soon after became a member of the firm. 
Subsequently the other members dropped from the firm, and again formed
a partnership, while Mr. Harkless and his partners assumed the firm 
title, Harkless, Allen & Co. They have the largest stock of dry goods 
and clothing in Southwest Missouri. January 29, 1882, he married Miss 
Edith E. Allen, daughter of William Allen, and to them have been born 
three children: Mabel, Kate, and Hazel. In April, 1889, Mr. Harkless 
was elected mayor of Lamar, having served two years previously as 
councilman. He is a stanch Republican in his political views; is a 
member of the A. 0. U. W., and is a self-made man in the true sense of
the word. 

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