Mount Pleasant in Henry County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
James Harlan
1820-1899
Photographed By Paul Crumlish, July 8, 2010
1. James Harlan Marker
Harlan moved to Iowa in 1845, and was elected state superintendent of public instruction two years later. He became President of Iowa Wesleyan University in 1853, and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1855. After winning a second term, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him Secretary of the Interior. Harlan resigned his cabinet post in 1866 and regained his former senate seat, but was defeated for re-election in 1872. After serving on the Alabama Claims Commission, the body empowered to settle damages resulting from loss of U.S. shipping by a British-built ship sailing for the Confederacy during the Civil War, he retired to Mount Pleasant.
Harlan’s daughter, Mary, was the wife of Robert Todd Lincoln, son of the President.
Erected 1979 by Iowa State Historical Department, Division of the State Historical Society and by the Henry County Historical Society. (Marker Number 37.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Iowa - State Historical Society of Iowa series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.
Location. 40° 58.492′ N, 91° 33.119′ W. Marker is
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Das Deutsches Kollegium (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); P.E.O. Sisterhood Founded (about 500 feet away); Iowa Wesleyan College (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Iowa Wesleyan College (about 500 feet away); Belle Babb Mansfield (about 600 feet away); Votes For Women (about 700 feet away); Harlan Hotel (approx. half a mile away); Henry County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Pleasant.
Also see . . . James Harlan (1820-1899). Mr. Lincoln's White House website entry (Submitted on July 16, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021
2. Harlan-Lincoln House
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021
3. James Harlan Monument
Photographed By Paul Crumlish, July 8, 2010
4. Harlan-Lincoln House (1872)
The home of James Harlan, later Robert Todd Lincoln, now a museum on the Iowa Wesleyan College campus in Mount Pleasant.
Photographed By Paul Crumlish, July 8, 2010
5. Previous location of the James Harlan Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,133 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 16, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on July 24, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4, 5. submitted on July 16, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.
