Historical Obituaries — Mt. Vernon Cemetery

Alfred Jonathan Harwi was born in Ritterville, PA in 1847. He attended the local public schools until age 10 and then enrolled in the nearby Moravian Academy (6th oldest University in the US) in Bethlehem, PA. "Nearby" was a relative term, however, as it was located 4 miles away over a moderate mountain ridge. He dutifully made this trip twice a day for the next 2 years. He found his love of business after graduation. In 1868 he invested his meager savings in a furniture store only to sell his share in 1870 to head west.

He arrived in Atchison in 1875 and rather quickly established a busy hardware business at 408 Commercial, later moving to 515/516 Commercial. He was soon joined by his brothers, Edward & Wilson. Together they were determined to make Atchison a gateway to the West & a major distribution site.

The A. J. Harwi Hardware Company grew into a huge, prominent, & highly respected Atchison business. It was active throughout the midwest. Their warehouse at 9th & Commercial (now the Lofts) had 75,000 sq. feet of floor space & was 4 stories tall. More than 50 workers managed the warehouse while 20 traveling salesmen covered the nearby states. His personal home at 1103 Atchison St. was built in 1886 & is on the US National Registry of Historic Places.

While business was his love, A. J. Harwi was also very busy within the community. He was an active trustee of Atchison's Midland College & of ACCHS in Effingham. He served as a Vice-President of the Exchange National Bank. He only once became involved in politics. In 1884 he was made State Senator from the Atchison District. He would catch an early train from Atchison to Topeka, return that evening, & work late into the night at his office. He found business far more fulfilling than politics & so was glad to give up that job.

A. J. Harwi passed away peacefully at his home secondary to the effects of locomotor ataxia (neurosyphilis) from which he had suffered for 25 years.

Major Solomon R. Washer was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1836. He came to Atchison in the early days of the city and engaged in mercantile pursuits, becoming one of the most respected businessmen in the region.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Washer enlisted in the 8th Kansas Infantry and served with distinction throughout the conflict. He participated in some of the war's most significant engagements, including the Battle of Chickamauga, Sherman's March to the Sea, the Battle of Nashville, and the assault on Missionary Ridge.

After the war, Washer returned to Atchison and established a grain elevator business, becoming a prominent figure in the city's commercial life. He later served as postmaster of Atchison and as road overseer, contributing to the development of the city's infrastructure.