On Aug. 21, 1927, Dallas Harman wrote his cousin Godfrey in Lexington about celebrating Grandpa Godfrey’s 82nd birthday on Aug. 16 in Richards, TX.

There wasn’t a Harmon (note spelling with an ‘o’) among them. The Texas children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren were there as well as many friends.

53 well-wishers were present. Cousin Dallas listed some of them in his letter and they are listed in Uncle Josh’s book which is for sale at the Lexington County Museum.

Dallas said it was the first time in 15 years his Pa had seen Uncle Jim Harman.

About 10 years ago, Hodges (Buck) Harman and his wife Rebecca paid a visit to Richards, TX, to see kinfolk there.

Uncle Josh Godfrey tells us about early Harmans who settled in Saxe Gotha District. Grandfather Godfrey Harman settled on a considerable land grant on the West Ferry Road in the 18 Mile Creek area.

Grandfather Godfrey, father of Reuben, married Sallie Arehart. His family consisted of Jacob, Jonathan, Drury, Nathaniel, Rueben Harman, and one daughter Julia Harman, who married Uncle John Franklow.

Ruben Harman, father of Godfrey, married Louisa Rauch, daughter of the Rev. Michael Rauch. They had 9 children. Carolina Jane married West Hendrix. William married Margaret Corley. They had a daughter Katie Corley. Monroe Harman married Carrie Lowman. Joanna married Wolf Arehart, Henry Harman married Lou Duffus. Marion married Scottie Rawl. Godfrey Michael married Pauline Boozer. A 2nd wife was Clementine Day of Baltimore. There were also two additional daughters who died young.

Reuben Harman was a leading citizen who was postmaster for over 40 years and was a magistrate. Reuben reared his family in the hotel on courthouse square purchased from Edwin J. Scott.

The Harman hotel and home where “Uncle Josh” Harman born was burned and rebuilt several times but is no longer standing. It was always crowded on court days.