Surname : Harriger
Given name : James Austin
ID # : H 20.7
Current date : 31 August 2000
Location of Source : Rolfe, Iowa
Date of record : November 30, 1944
Source : Rolfe (IA) Arrow newspaper
Last Rites For J.A. Harriger Held Friday
Long time Resident Died Nov. 20 At Elwood, Iowa
Funeral services were held Friday at the Methodist church for J.A. Harriger, long a resident of Rolfe, who died November 20 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R.B. Pollock (sic), at Elwood, Iowa.
The services were in charge of the Rev. Charles R. Buckwalter. Music was furnished by Mrs. J.E. Hynds who sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Nearer My God To Thee," with Mrs. N.J. Bixler accompanying at the organ. The pallbearers were George Heald, W.W. Heald, M.W. Webb, Herman Hoffman, E.F. Stallcup, J.C. Brogotti (?). Arrangement of the flowers was in charge of Miss Marcella Quigley, Mrs. Frances Perigal and J.C. Olerich.
James Austin Harriger, son of George and Hannah Rhodes Harriger, was born July 15, 1867, in Knoxdale (Penn.) and passed away on Monday, November 20, 1944, at Elwood, Ia., at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R.B. Pollock, at the age of 77 years, 4 months and 5 days.
When a young man he came to Illinois and there united in marriage with Mary Elizabeth Coulter on February 18, 1895. The couple established their home on a farm near Britt, Ia., when a son, Homer H. Harriger, came to bless their union. Later they moved to Cedar Falls for a short time and to Walnut, where their daughter, Jessie, was born. After 10 years there, they moved to Broken Bow, Nebr., where they lived for four years. In 1913(?) the family came to Rolfe where they farmed the Kennedy farm a mile out of town until Mr. Harriger's health failed in 1933. Since then their home has been in Rolfe, but much of their time has been spent in the homes of their children. Had he lived until February the couple would have observed their golden wedding anniversary.
He was a faithful member of the Methodist church since age 7, when he joined its ranks on confession of faith. His life testified that that faith was sincere and true. In addition to his wife and his children, he leaves to mourn his passing his sister, Mrs. Margaret McElravy, and one brother, Jack, both of Sligo, Penn., and three grandchildren, Mrs. Marjory Snyder of Chicago; Harold Harriger of Des Moines; Jo Ann Pollock of Elwood. Besides his own family there were six others who lived in the Harriger home at different times and were regarded as part of the family, Mrs. Harriger's four brothers and one sister, and later the sister's and one sister (sic), and a sister's son, Gordon.
Dad Harriger, as he was affectionately called by young and old, enjoyed life to its fullest. His mind was alert and his nature sensitive. He was extremely kind-hearted and thoughtful of others, delighting in being able to do a service to someone else. He was a constant reader, depending upon the printed word for knowledge of the world denied him because of lack of a formal education.
He was a nature lover and he knew nature's secrets well. He knew every tree, plant, flower, bird and animal of the areas where he lived; he saw all the odd and interesting acticities (sic) of animal life about him; his eyes would see even a new anthill or an odd-shaped stone in the path. He could imitate many bird and animal calls heard in the fields. The soil was a living thing to him, and the feel of a good ear of corn was a real satisfaction. The beauties of a sunset impelled him to call someone to share it with him. He was a sportsman in the best sense of that word; an expert marksman, and an enthusiastic follower of all games. Life was full for him; the world a source of continual joy.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pollock and Jo Ann and Mrs. J.A. Harriger returned to their home in Elwood Saturday evening.
Homer Harriger left for his home in Des Moines Friday night and his wife and son, Harold, remained here until Sunday morning. They had come to attend the funeral rites of Mr. Harriger's father, held here Friday.
--Rolfe (IA) Arrow, Thursday, November 30, 1944.