L. L. JARVIS

L. L. JARVIS is the owner of the Jarvis livery and sale stables of Harlan, Iowa. This barn, located near the southwest corner of the square, was built by Downey & Company in 1887,and was sold to Mr. Jarvis June 12, 1888. Good driving teams and carriages can be found at Mr. Jarvis's, who has built up a profitable business. The subject of this sketch was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, March 21, 1835. His father, James Jarvis, was descended from an old Virginia family, and his mother, Mary Hildreth, was a native of Massachusetts. In 1837 his parents removed to Elkhart County, Indiana, where the father died in 1851; the mother died in Cass County, Michigan, in 1849. L. L. was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received the advantages of a common-school education. In 1853 he went to Kankakee County, Illinois, remaining there one year; he then spent a year in Cass County, Michigan, and at the end of that time went to Piatt County, Illinois. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company H. While he was in the service he spent seven weeks in the hospital. He was honorably discharged May 9, 1863.

In 1864 he went south in the government employ, and in 1865 he came to Shelby County, Iowa, which has since been his home. In 1866 Mr. Jarvis was married to Mary Billeter, and seven children have been born to them-Charles B., Leora, Owen, Frank, Frederick, Ella and Jennie. Mr. Jarvis owns one of the best farms in the township; it contains 160 acres, and has a residence in Harlan costing $1,800; he also owns eighty acres in section 29, Harlan Township.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 375. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.