Harger, Charles Moreau

The following data is extracted from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans.

Charles Moreau Harger, Kansas editor and old time resident of the state, is known to thousands of people outside Kansas through his writings in magazines and through his active participation in several movements recognized as of national scope.

He was born in Phelps, New York, in 1863, came west to Dickinson County in 1879 with his parents, and had resided in Abilene since that date. He was educated in a classical school. For several years he was a farmer and rancher, then teacher, being principal of the Hope City schools in 1887-88.

He then became a reporter on the Abilene Daily Reflector and had been its editor for twenty-five years. Outside of newspaper work he had found time to contribute many articles on western financial and social topics and some fiction to the Century, Harper's Magazine, Scribner's, North American Review, Atlantic, Outlook, Saturday Evening Post, Independent and other magazies. He had edited several books. Honorary literary degrees have been conferred on him by Bethany College and Baker University.

He was director and lecturer of the Department of Journalism of the University of Kansas 1905-10 and president of the National Association of Teachers of Journalism in 1909; was president of the Kansas Citizens' League for the Promotion of a Sound Banking System, 1912-14; is a director of the Abilene National Bank; was member of the State Board of Corrections 1913-16 and its chairman 1915-16; was the republican candidate for Congress, Fifth District, 1916; secretary of the National Republican Convention, 1908-12-16. He was one of the founders of the Kansas Day Club and its president and secretary; was treasurer of the Kansas Better Government League; was chairman of the Kansas Belgian Relief Fund, 1915-16; president of the Golden Belt Association since 1910; and had held many minor positions of trust and public service. Mr. Harger is a Mason, Knight Templar, member of Isis Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Modern Woodmen of America, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Salina Country Club, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of other social, fraternal and business organizations.

He was married in 1889 to Miss Blanche Bradshaw of Hope, now president of the Fifth District Federation of Women's Clubs. They have three daughters. One is married, Mrs. Ross I. Parker of Schenectady, New York.

Source: A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans

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