Biography - JAMES F. HARKINS

James F. Harkins, business manager of The Macoupin County Enquirer, was born in Carlinville, this county, on the 16th of July, 1869, and is a son of John and Bessie (Kelly) Harkins, natives of Letrim, Ireland. They are the parents of seven children, as follows: J. P., who is now located at East St. Louis, a priest in the Roman Catholic church; Mary, who is deceased; Bridget, the wife of John Curvin, of Carlinville; James F., our subject; Anna, the wife of Maurice Burke, of East St. Louis; Elizabeth, who is deceased; and Charles, who is living in East St. Louis. The father was a quarry man in Ireland whence he emigrated with his wife and two eldest children in 1862. Upon their arrival in this country they located in Carlinville, where for some time he continued to follow his trade, but at the time of his death he was superintendent of streets. His demise occurred in 1887 at the age of forty-nine, his wife, however, was sixty-three at the time of her death on the 2d of March, 1899. They were both communicants of the Roman Catholic church, in the faith of which they passed away. Of the paternal grandfather little is known save that he spent his entire life in the Emerald island, had two children, both of whom are now deceased. Patrick Kelly, the maternal grandfather, after the death of his wife came to the United States and lived with his daughter, Mrs. Harkins, in Carlinville until he died in July, 1882, at the venerable age of eighty-three years.

Macoupin county has always been the home of James F. Harkins, who obtained his education in the parochial and public schools of Carlinville. After laying aside his studies he followed various occupations in town during the winter, while in summers he worked for the farmers, until January, 1888, when he entered The Enquirer office to learn the printer’s trade. He was advanced from time to time in accordance with his ability until he became business manager, which position he still retains. He has been employed in this office ever since learning the trade with the exception of four years when he was city clerk.

On the 25th of October, 1897, Mr. Harkins married Miss Catharine M. Sweeney, a daughter of Patrick and Ann (Castello) Sweeney. Mrs. Harkins was born in Ballycallon, County Kilkenny, Ireland, where the mother still resides, but the father is deceased. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Harkins five children have been born: Elizabeth, Catharine; John, Ellen and Thomas James.

The family all attend the services of the Roman Catholic church, of which both Mr. and Mr? Harkins are communicants. He is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. His political allegiance Mr. Harkins gives to the democratic party. Besides having served as city clerk he was a member of the council for four years and at the present time he is city oil inspector.

Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 440-441.