The Harris Centennial
Harris --The past 100 Years
"A" Biographies
Akkerman, Allen, Arp
Akkerman, Andre and Tillie
Andrew Akkerman and Tillie Steen were married December 28, 1926.
Tillie's father, George Steen, was born in Germany. Jennie (Borchers) Steen was born in Forreston, Illinois. They met at Wellsburg, Iowa, and were married and started farming there. They then bought a farm north of Allendorf and had a family of eleven children.
Andrew's father, Reamt Akkerman, was born in Freeport, Illinois. Etta Klaasen was also born in Freeport, Illinois. They were married in Lyon County and moved to a farm near Sibley. They had a family of seven children.
Tillie Steen was born at Wellsburg and then moved with her family north of Sibley where she met Andrew Akkerman who was born in Lyon County near George.
They came to Osceola County and were married in 1926. They started farming north of Allendorf and next, west of Sibley. Andrew and Tillie then bought a farm northwest of Harris where they lived until they retired and moved to an apartment in Harris.
They have one son, Raymond, who lives on the farm.
Allen, E.O. and Family
E.O. Allen (Bud) was born at Chatfield, Minnesota, and later moved to Madison, South Dakota. Mrs. Allen (Thelma Thompson) was born at Doon, Iowa, and later moved with her family to Winfred, South Dakota. Thelma attended and graduated from the Normal Training School at Madison. Bud and Thelma were married at Madison on June 26, 1913. They later moved to Sanborn, Iowa, where their daughter, Esther Belle was born. Seven years later, while living in Primghar, Iowa, Elva Marie was born.
In 1922, the family moved to Harris where they made their home for forty years. They were both very active in community and church affairs.
There wasn't anything that Bud couldn't do-except repair his car. He was a mason, finish carpenter, salesman, income tax consultant and had many other occupations. His greatest accomplishment was David's Grotto which he built in the last ten years of his life. While in Harris, Bud and Thelma operated three cafes, a variety store and a bakery. Thelma was a homemaker and a businesswoman. She served the community as postmaster for 27 years, 4 months and 17 days.
Bud died in Harris at his home on August 23, 1959. Thelma died in the Lookout Memorial Hospital in Spearfish, South Dakota, on April 8, 1891. They are both buried in the Union Cemetery at Harris. Bud helped to lay out the Union Cemetery when he was mayor of Harris.
Arp, Ray and Bernice
Bernice Maher was born in 1999, the daughter of Louella Twetten Maher and Joe Maher. She was born in Sioux Valley township and moved to Harris with her parents when she was two. She had two sisters, Lola, (deceased) and Maudie (Mrs. Eldo Brunsen) who resides in Emmetsburg.
Bernice attended all twelve years of school in Harris, graduating in 1928. She was very active in basketball and speech. She started working in the telephone office while still in high school and was employed there for six years.
She was married to Ted Thompson in 1930, and in 1941, was married to Ray Arp. Bernice had two children, Larry and Connie.