GEORGE L. HARNSBERGER who resides on section 27, Cartwright Township, has represented that township on the Board of County Supervisors for ten years. He was born on the old homestead farm July 13, 1850, and is a son of Henry M. Harnsberger, a native of Clark County, Ohio. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Harnsberger, was born in Rockingham County, Va., and was descended from one of the early and illustrious American families of German origin founded in this county during Colonial days. Henry M. Harnsberger emigrated from his native county, to Illinois when a lad of ten years. The family settled in what is now Cartwright Township in 1833, and after he had attained to man's estate, he wedded Miss Melinda A. Harrison, daughter of Reuben and Barbara A. Harrison. Through six generations our subject traces his ancestry to the founder of the Harrison family in America - a gentleman of English birth who settled in the Colony of Virginia in the days of its early history. Before the Revolutionary War his descendants had become very numerous and the family was largely represented in the struggle for independence. Benjamin H. a brother of the great-grandfather of our subject, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and the members of the family were Benjamin, William Henry, George, Reuben and James Harrison. President William H. Harrison and our present executive, Hon. Benjamin Harrison, are members of this family.

Henry M. Harnsberger and his wife are still residents of this county, the husband being now sixty-eight years of age and his wife seventy years. Four children have been born unto them: John J. H., the eldest who resides in Missouri, is engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of merino sheep and fine hogs. He married Miss Catherine Campbell and unto them have been born three children - Carrie M., Katie I. and Leonard J. S.; Amanda C., the next younger is the wife of Julius Handback, a wholesale merchant of St. Paul, Minn.; Mary Anna Virginia is the wife of L. H. Washburn who is engaged in farming near Springfield, and unto them has been born one child, Anna H.

The early life of our subject passed uneventfully. After attending the common schools, at the age of eighteen he entered Jacksonville College and completed his literary education by a scientific course of study in Lincoln. At the age of twenty-three, in 1874, he entered the law department of the University of Michigan and while a student in that institution was so fortunate as to attract the favorable notice of Judge Cooley whom he assisted in compiling several law books, including the celebrated Cooley's Constitutional Limitations. Mr. Harnsberger now devotes the greater part of his time and attention to stock dealing and is widely known in that line of business, which he began when a mere boy upon his father's farm. More or less since that time he has engaged in shipping cattle and it is now his principal pursuit. Being a thorough judge of cattle, he displays considerable wisdom in his purchases and is able to sell at an advantage. He is not only successful but by fair and honest dealing has won the confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has come in contact and made himself popular in his business and social relations.

In the present year, 1890, Mr. Harnsberger was united in marriage with Miss Addie Houghton of Petersburg, Menard County. Their home is the abode of hospitality and in the social world they are held in high regard. Mr. Harnsberger belongs to the Farmers Mutual Benefit Association of Richland and in political sentiment is a supporter of the Democratic party. As before stated, he has been a member of the County Board of Supervisors for ten years, representing Cartwright Township, and is now Chairman of the Board. His long-continued service in that office plainly indicates his efficiency and the prompt and able manner in which he discharges the duties devolving upon him.