Key figure

Daniel M. Harkness

Married Dr. David M. Harkness 1825 (Dr. 30) · widowed 1825 · under a year
Married Isabella Harkness 1849

Bill’s grandfather, associated with Bellevue, Ohio; half-brother of Henry Flagler and Stephen V. Harkness.

Across the archive

Stories featuring Daniel M. Harkness

Historical article

Louise Harkness and David Sinton Ingalls

Louise Harkness and Flying Ace David Sinton Ingalls David Sinton Ingalls (January 28, 1899 – April 26, 1985) was the US Navy’s only flying ace of World War I, with six credited victories; thus he was the first ace in U.S. Navy history.

Historical article

Stephen V. Harkness – Standard Oil Venture Capitalist

Stephen Vanderburgh Harkness (1818-1888) was an Ohio-based American businessman. He played a crucial role in the establishment of Standard Oil, serving as a “Venture Capitalist” alongside John D.

Historical article

Where did all the money go?

The Standard Oil fortune was a tidal wave of cash that either built the foundations of modern America or dissolved into a haze of eccentric scandals, proving that inheriting a billion dollars is often the quickest way to lose your mind.

Historical article

John D. Rockefeller & The Standard Oil Partners: Flagler and Harkness

When we think of the massive wealth and industrial power of the Gilded Age, John D.

Historical article

The Sinking of the Gunilda

William L. Harkness, son of Daniel M. Harkness of Bellevue, Ohio, lived a more adventurous life than his father, who stayed in Bellevue and lived a quiet life in a small town.

Historical article

Start Here: Scandal, Success, Oil and Steam: The Incredible Story of Henry Flagler and the Harkness Family

The Harkness and Flagler families help form Standard Oil. Hold onto your hats, folks, because we’re about to take a thrilling ride through the history books!

Historical article

William Lamon Harkness

Detailed Life Events Born August 8, 1858, in Bellevue, Ohio Died May 10, 1919 (aged 60) New Hyde Park, New York Resting place Woodlawn Cemetery Education Yale University (Class of 1881) Spouse Edith Hale Children Louise Hale Harkness (1898-1978), William Hale Harkness (1900–1954) Parent(s) Daniel M.

Historical article

Cheat Sheet

All the names and relationships in the Flagler and Harkness families can certainly get very confusing.

Historical article

Oh, Rebekah! Burning through the money!

Rebekah Harkness inherited a Standard Oil fortune from Bill Harkness, then poured millions into ballet, art, Holiday House, and an extravagant life that became legend.

Historical article

Harkness Memorial Presbyterian – Bellevue, Ohio

Bellevue’s historic First Congregational Church aka “Harkness Memorial Presbyterian” is located on Southwest Street next to the Mad River Train Museum.

Historical article

The Day Henry Flagler and Will Harkness returned to Bellevue, Ohio

The last time Henry Flagler visited Bellevue was in October 1903 with Will L. Harkness.

Historical article

Daniel M. Harkness

Daniel M. Harkness – Henry Flagler’s half-brother Detailed life events Born September 26, 1822 in Milan, Ohio Died August 5, 1896 (age 74) in Bellevue, Ohio Resting place Bellevue Cemetery, Bellevue, Ohio Spouse Isabella Harkness Children 5 children: 3 died in childbirth; daughter Katie died at the age of 8, and son William L.

Life and connections

1822
Daniel M. Harkness born
1825
Elizabeth Ann Caldwell Morrison married David M. Harkness (30) (second marriage)
After David M. Harkness (30) died, the article says his widow Elizabeth Ann Caldwell Morrison went back to Seneca County, New York; it also states David M. Harkness (30) married for a second time to Elizabeth Ann Caldwell Morrison and had a son named Daniel M. Harkness (3).
From the story: Stephen V. Harkness – Standard Oil Venture Capitalist
21 November 1825
Dr. David Harkness (30) dies
Dr. David Harkness (30) dies and Elizabeth is left to care for Stephen V. and Daniel M. and returns to Hopewell(Salem?), New York where she marries Rev. Isaac Flagler.
Ends under a year of marriage (1825–1825)
1830
Henry Morrison Flagler was born in Hopewell, New York
In 1830 Henry Morrison Flagler was born Jan. 2 in Hopewell, New York, described as Daniel M. Harkness (8)’s younger half-brother.
From the story: The Harkness/Flagler Timeline
1837
Daniel M. Harkness (15) chose to move to Bellevue, Ohio instead of relocating with the Isaac Flagler family
In 1837, when Isaac Flagler’s family moved to Toledo, Ohio, Daniel M. Harkness (15) instead decided to move to Bellevue, Ohio to live with his paternal uncle Lamon G. (LG) Harkness.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
1840
Daniel M. Harkness (18) tried an apprenticeship as a printer in Lansingburgh, New York
In 1840, Daniel M. Harkness (18) went to Lansingburgh, New York to try out an apprenticeship as a printer.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
1841
Daniel M. Harkness (19) returned to Republic, Ohio to work in the Harkness store
A year later, Daniel M. Harkness (19) returned to Republic, Ohio (14 miles away) to work in the Harkness store there.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
1844
Daniel M. Harkness (22) encouraged Henry M. Flagler to leave Hopewell and join him in Republic
Daniel M. Harkness (22) encouraged his younger half-brother Henry M. Flagler to leave Hopewell and join him in Republic, which Henry M. Flagler did in 1844.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
1844
Daniel M. Harkness (22) and Henry M. Flagler moved to Bellevue, Ohio to pursue grain and distillery business
Daniel M. Harkness (22) and Henry M. Flagler moved to Bellevue, Ohio after working in Republic, Ohio, to become more involved in the grain and distillery business.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
17 September 1844
Henry travels to Republic, OH
Henry graduated the 8th grade and went out to find his fame and fortune. He decided to go to Ohio to work with his half-brother Daniel M. Harkness (22) in Lamon .G. Harkness' general store in Republic. He spent 3 years in the Republic store before moving on to Bellevue, OH
1849
Daniel M. Harkness (27) marries Isabella Harkness
Henry Flagler and his first wife Mary Harkness (married 1853) and her sister Isabella Harkness (seated) who married Henry’s half-brother Daniel M. Harkness (27) in 1849.
From the story: Henry M. Flagler
1850s
Henry Morrison Flagler and Daniel M. Harkness started a grain business and distillery in Bellevue, Ohio
Later, Henry Morrison Flagler and Daniel M. Harkness started a grain business and distillery with their uncle Lamon in Bellevue, Ohio, making a small fortune distilling whiskey.
From the story: Start Here: Scandal, Success, Oil and Steam: The Incredible Story of Henry Flagler and the Harkness Family
8 August 1858
William L Harkness born
William L. Harkness was born to Daniel M. and Isabella Harkness in Bellevue, Ohio
1861
Daniel M. Harkness (39) enlisted in the Union Army as regimental quartermaster
In 1861, Daniel M. Harkness (39) enlisted and was a regimental quartermaster for the Union in the Civil War from 1861 to 1863.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
1862
Henry M. Flagler failed in the salt business and Daniel M. Harkness (40) later lent him money to bail him out
After Henry M. Flagler went into the salt business in Michigan and later returned having lost a substantial salt mine investment, Daniel M. Harkness (40) helped bail him out by lending him money.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
1863
The Enrollment Act of 1863 provided for substitutes; Henry M. Flagler used the option
The story states that after Daniel M. Harkness (41) served, the Enrollment Act of 1863 allowed a draftee to pay a substitute enrollee $300; Henry M. Flagler and John D. Rockefeller (24) took this option while helping the war effort.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
1864
Isabella (wife of Daniel M. Harkness (42)) passed away in 1864
Isabella, wife of Daniel M. Harkness (42), passed away in 1864, and her memory was later cited as the basis for Daniel M. Harkness (42) building Harkness Memorial Presbyterian.
From the story: Harkness Memorial Presbyterian – Bellevue, Ohio
1867
John D. Rockefeller (28) approached Henry Morrison Flagler for capital; Stephen V. Harkness (49) provided $100,000
In 1867 needing capital for his new oil business, John D. Rockefeller (28) approached Henry Morrison Flagler, and Henry Morrison Flagler obtained $100,000 from Stephen V. Harkness (49).
From the story: The Harkness/Flagler Timeline
1867
John D. Rockefeller (28), Daniel M. Harkness (45), Henry M. Flagler, and Stephen V. Harkness (49) unite firms to form Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler
The article states that in the year 1867 the firms of William Rockefeller & Co., Rockefeller & Andrews, Rockefeller & Co., and S. V. Harkness and H. M. Flagler united in forming the firm of Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler.
From the story: John D. Rockefeller & The Standard Oil Partners: Flagler and Harkness
1870
The Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler partnership grew into the Standard Oil Corporation
The article states that the partnership grew into the Standard Oil Corporation in 1870, with articles of incorporation signed by John D. Rockefeller (31), Henry Morrison Flagler, Sam Andrews, Stephen V. Harkness (52), and William Rockefeller.
From the story: Start Here: Scandal, Success, Oil and Steam: The Incredible Story of Henry Flagler and the Harkness Family
1881
Daniel M. Harkness (59) worked with Amos Woodward and Charles Foster to influence Nickel Plate Railroad officials
In 1881, Daniel M. Harkness (59) worked with Amos Woodward and politician Charles Foster to influence Nickel Plate Railroad officials to establish their line through Bellevue.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
1887
Daniel M. Harkness (65) built Harkness Memorial Presbyterian in 1887
In 1887, Daniel M. Harkness (65) built Harkness Memorial Presbyterian (First Congregational Church) on Southwest Street in Bellevue, Ohio. The article states it was built with funds contributed by Daniel M. Harkness (65) in memory of his wife Isabella.
From the story: Harkness Memorial Presbyterian – Bellevue, Ohio
1887
Daniel M. Harkness (65) built Harkness Memorial Presbyterian next to Daniel M. Harkness (65)’s house (former Henry Flager home)
Harkness Memorial Presbyterian was built next to Daniel M. Harkness (65)’s house, described as the former home of Daniel M. Harkness (65)’s half-brother Henry Flager. The article also states that most people in Bellevue remembered this house as the former YMCA.
From the story: Harkness Memorial Presbyterian – Bellevue, Ohio
1887
Rumor about Daniel M. Harkness (65) and the absence of a bell at Harkness Memorial Presbyterian
The article records a local rumor that Daniel M. Harkness (65) stipulated the church must not have a bell so he would not be disturbed by regular ringing right next door to his home.
From the story: Harkness Memorial Presbyterian – Bellevue, Ohio
1896
Daniel M. Harkness (74)’s estate was left to William L. Harkness
When Daniel M. Harkness (74) died in 1896, his estate (estimated at $35 million, mostly Standard Oil stock) was left to his only surviving child, William L. Harkness.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
5 August 1896
Daniel M. Harkness (74) dies
Daniel M. Harkness (74), Henry Flaglers half-brother, dies in Bellevue, Ohio at age 73