In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1830, Northumberland county
From A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906)
MICHAEL F. HARNER. Among the old settlers of Oronoko township is numbered Michael F. Harner, who lives on section 30, and who was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, January 23, 1830, so that he has now passed the seventy-sixth milestone on the journey of life. His father, John Harner, was likewise born in the Keystone State, as was his wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Haney. After living for some time in Pennsylvania they removed to Summit county, Ohio, and in the year 1838 came to Berrien county, Michigan, settling in Lake township, where the father entered land from the government. The fact that much of this land was still unclaimed by resident settlers shows that the work of improvement and development had scarcely been begun. With characteristic energy he undertook the task of clearing his place that the sunlight might shine down upon the plowed fields and ripen into harvests the grain which he had planted. Year by year he continued the work of improvement upon his farm and found there a comfortable home up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was in his seventy-ninth year. His wife passed away at about the same age. Unto them had been born three sons and three daughters, all of whom reached their maturity and with one exception are still living.
Michael F. Harner is the eldest son and second child. He was a lad of eight summers at the time of the arrival of the family in Berrien county and here he has since made his home. When a boy he pursued his studies in a log schoolhouse of the early day, attending through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he aided in the farm work. Lie early took his place in the fields and soon became familiar wath the task of plowing, planting and harvesting. He continued upon the home farm, assisting in its development up to the time of his marriage and then removed to the farm upon which he now resides on section 30, Oronoko township.
Mr. Harner was joined in wedlock to Miss Frances Morris, and unto them were born six children, who are yet living: Almeda, the wife of Harry Myers; Fred, of Galien township; Lydia, the wife of Walter Schultz; Ora, the wife of Delvin Fisher, a sailor on the lakes; Edward, of Galien township; and Linnie, the wife of George Miller, of Oronoko township.
Mr. Harner has a farm of one hundred and five acres but now rents his fields. His property is the visible evidence of his life of thrift and labor and in addition to his home place he has assisted in clearing two other farms in the county. He cleared all his own farm except five acres, and thus he has contributed in substantial measure to the material development of this part of the state. Both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church and are a most worthy pioneer couple, respected and honored by young and old, rich and poor. His residence in Berrien county covers sixty-eight years and he relates many interesting incidents of the early days.
Mr. Harner has one of the old parchment deeds executed August 14, 1839, by President Martin Van Buren which is one of the souvenirs of the old days. They have one of the old double coverlets, the material for which was spun by Mr. Harner s mother, and they have a peter dish, which is near a century old, also an old flax hatcher ninety years old.
As printed in A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1906. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.