Typed by: Kay Cunningham

 

 

THOMAS DANIEL HARLAN

 

 

 

SURNAMES: HARALN, McGLASSON, TORRENCE, BLOCKER, GODDARD, VINSON, CROW, NOONE, ROTHE.

 

 

     Thomas Daniel Harlan, b October 29, 1894 in the Blue Ridge Community of Falls County, Texas, d July 5, 1939 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas and buried there in Calvary Cemetery - was a son of John Luther and Elizabeth (“Bettie”) McGlasson) Harlan.  Thomas Daniel Harlan (called “Dan”) attended the Blue Ridge elementary school, Reagan High School, and Peacock Academy. His education was interrupted when the United States entered World War I, in which he served with the U.S. Army until the Armistice.

     On January 15, 1922, in Waco, Texas in the home of the bride's parents Dan was married to Josephine Blocker Torrence, b January 28, 1895 in Waco, d March 11, 1978 and buried by her husband in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin - a daughter of Clifton Hurley and Julia (Blocker) Torrence. Dan and Josephine made their home in Marlin.

     Dan was a farmer and ginner, by occupation, in Falls and Robertson Counties; however, he had many interests and diversified his ventures. He was active in community, state, and federal affairs; served on the Marlin School Board for many years before his death; was director and president of the Marlin Country Club; and was a member of Masonic Lodge #152. While on the school board, he promoted and negotiated for the Arlington Hotel bricks - and these were used for the W. P. A. to build the first Marlin School Gymnasium. The building included a band and choral club room, and Dan was actively interested in these activities. He was the primary force to instigate the replacement of the grand-stands at McQueen Field - changing them from the wooden structures to a softer steel grand- stand. Dan also worked closely with Professor Hines-Superintendent of Booker T. Washington School in Marlin - to secure uniforms for that school's band. The school paid tribute to Dan in their 1940 Yearbook.

     In 1932, Thomas Daniel Harlan went with a group of Texans to Washington, D.C. in support of a "Relief Bill" for the cotton farmers, and this was passed in 1933. He assisted many men to establish their own businesses, and without publicity, assisted young students to attain higher educations. His primary relaxations were hunting and skeet shooting, and he established a skeet range for that sport.

     Initially, Dan was a member of the Blue Ridge Baptist Church, in which he was reared; however, in later years and through a friendship with Reverend (later Bishop) Frederick Percy Goddard, Dan became very interested in St. John's Episcopal Church, and supported that church's activities. .

     After Dan's untimely death, Josephine (Torrence) Harlan (called "Josie") took over the management of the family estate, until her own death. She was active in the Marlin Community Garden Club - serving as its president many years. She also was active in the Marlin Study Club, and belonged to many Bridge Clubs -one of her favorite pass-times. Josie was a member of the First Methodist Church of Marlin.

     Thomas Daniel and Josephine Blocker (Torrence) Harlan were the parents of two daughters:

     Julia Elizabeth Harlan, b January 25, 1923 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas, who married Carl E. Vinson, Jr., of Marlin. They had no children, and Julia resides in the home which was her parents home, in Marlin.

     Agnes Versula Harlan, b December 10, 1924 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas - married Fred Boone Crow, and they had three children: James Harlan Crow (called Jim), who married Pat Noone, and had Scott Harlan Crow and Kevin Noone Crow, and resides in Waco, Texas; and Paula Crow, who married Michael Rothe, has no children, and resides in San Antonio, Texas. Fred Boone Crow is a retired engineer, and he and Agnes continue to reside in Waco, Texas, where they are active in that community's civic, club, and church affairs.

 

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 215 column 2, page 216 column 1 and 2.  
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.