Harm Harmsen

Harm Harmsen was born in Ostenfeld near Husum, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, June 29, 1857. He was the son of Claus Harmsen and Christine Jensen Harmsen. He immigrated to America in 1884, arriving in New York City on April 8, 1884 on the ship Fresia from Hamburg, Germany. He was naturalized in Harrison County, Iowa on September 4, 1886.

On October 15, 1887 he was married to Theresa Aleck. Daughter of Xaver and Christine (Geiger)  Aleck in Harrison County, Iowa.  They farmed until 1912, when they moved to Persia, Iowa.  They were the parents of five children.  Herman was born Jan. 19, 1889, marrried Ida Smith February 19, 1919. She was born March 10, 1896.  Fred, November 10, 1890 married Bertha Hamann fEbruary 14, 1912.  She was born April 29, 1890. They had one daughter Velma.  She married Milton Watson May 1, 1937.  They had two children, Larry Watson and Lynette Dvorak. Ella, September 26, 1893 married John Clausen on February 7, 1911.  He was born February 14, 1887.  William, June 16, 1894 and married Etta Heyde March 8, 1916.  She was born July 7, 1893.  They had one daughter, Lorene, August 23, 1921.  She married Robert Beets November 13, 1942.  He was born April 24, 1918.  They had four children, Robert, Diane, Lance and Neal.  Emma, April 15, 1899 married Albert Dohrman February 18, 1920 and died three weeks later.  

Harm and Theresa had nine great great grandchildren.

In 1903 Harm and Theresa moved to Washington Township to the first farm north of the Persia school. They resided there until 1912 when Fred and Bertha were married and moved to the farm. At this time, they moved to Persia to the house where Roy McGaverns lived. Later they moved to the house that was located where the Trinity Lutheran Church stands. There was a barn and a small building on the property. They had a cow and some chickens. Children from the country rode horses to school and put their horses in the barn. The house was moved one block south and is now the home of Mrs. Walter (Anna) Thoms.

After Harms death Febuary 3, 1935, Theresa moved to the house where the Tom Honeywells reside. She died January 27, 1950.

She will be remembered for the manyh beautiful flowers she grew and shared with anyone who came to visit, especially her grandchildren.

Submitted by Velma Watson. p. 100 of the book titled Persia, Iowa, 1883-1983, Persia Centennial.

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial via son Fred Xavier Harmsen by SmartCopy: Jul 15 2015, 22:51:58 UTC
• Updated from MyHeritage Family Trees by SmartCopy: Jul 15 2015, 22:56:00 UTC