Harmon Phenix

Harmon Phenix, banker of Bradford, was born near Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county, Pa., January 20,1834. His parents—John T., born in 1792, and Lydia (Daniels) Phenix—were natives of Delaware county, N. Y. The former was a captain of militia in his native county and was the son of Peter, one of two brothers who emigrated from Scotland. John T. Phenix moved with his wife and family to this county in 1035, his children being Daniel B., a farmer of Penn township; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Sturm, of Osceola; Nancy, wife of Solomon Geer, of Boulder county, Col.; Mary C. married H. H. Drawyer; Abram Phenix, of Bradford, and Harmon Phenix. The father of this large family died in 1867, and was interred in Franklin Cemetery, Osceola township. Up to his death he held membership with the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he was connected since his marriage. The first home of the family here was in Toulon township, on what is now the "James Montooth Farm."

Harmon Phenix was little over one year old when his parents moved here, so that he may be considered as one who grew up with the county. Apart from his academical course, at Paw Paw, Ill., his education was received here, and all those practical lessons inculcated, which have borne to him such rich fruit. At the age of twenty-four years he entered mercantile life; in 1862 established his store, and in 1869 moved to Bradford, where, with C. W. Phenix, he has built up a large and increasing business. In 1881 the banking house of Harmon Phenix & Co. was founded here. In 1864 he married Miss Emeline Libby, born near Stanstead Plain, Sherbrooke, Quebec province, Canada. Of their children, Oscar is a student at Chicago; Lillian C, Nancy L., Daniel J. and Elbert reside at home. Mrs. Phenix is a member of the Baptist church, as shown in the history of that society. In the pioneer and political chapters of the general history, and in the sketches of Toulon and Osceola townships, the intimate relation of the Phenix family to Stark county and her townships is fully related.