History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 219 - 220

EZRA HARGER

The history of the representative citizens of Wexford county, Michigan, would not be complete should the name that heads this review be omitted. When the fierce fire of the Rebellion was raging throughout the Southland, threatening to destroy the Union, he responded with patriotic fervor to the call for volunteers and in some of the bloodiest battles for which that great war was noted he proved his loyalty to the government he loved so well. During a useful life in the region where he lived he labored diligently to promote the interests of the people, working earnestly and with little regard for his personal advancement or ease. He was devoted to the public welfare and in all of his relations his highest ambition was to benefit the community and advance its standard of citizenship. Ezra Harger, deceased, was born in Kent, Portage county, Ohio, in 1838, but when a mere child he accompanied his parents upon their removal to St. Clair, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. At the age of about ten years, in 1848, he returned to Kent county, Ohio, and in 1852 he went to Jefferson county, New York. In the fall of the same year he came to Lapeer county, Michigan, where he resided until 1861, when he paid a visit to old friends in Fulton county, Ohio. While there he enlisted, in April, 1861, in the Fourteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for service during the Civil war, his regiment enlisting for the three months service. Upon his discharge he went to Toledo, Ohio, and from there to New York state and there re-enlisted, being assigned to the Fifteenth United States Infantry, which became a part of the Western army. He served with this command until February, 1864, when he again re-enlisted for three years, receiving his final discharge in February, 1867. He was a brave and loyal soldier and participated in all the marches, skirmishes and battles in which his regiment took part. Upon his discharge from the army, Mr. Harger came to the Traverse region in search of desirable land and in August, 1867, he took up a homestead of eighty acres in section 12, in what is now Colfax township, Wexford county. It was unimproved land, but he went to work to create out of it a model farm, in which he was successful to a high degree. He added to the original tract from time to time and erected substantial and commodious buildings and at length found himself the possessor of one of the best farms of the size in the township. He was a progressive and enterprising citizen and assisted in thee organization of the township in which he resides. In company with William Mears and George Manton, he platted the town of Manton and here erected the first house. In 1873 he removed from Colfax township to the home which he had created here and lived here during the remainder of his days, his last residence being in the town of Manton. For six terms, twelve years, he served as treasurer of Wexford county, and was also supervisor of Colfax township, and Cedar Creek township, and was township treasurer and justice of the peace. Mr. Harger was twice married. On the 25th of December, 1867, he was united to Miss Mary Bayes, a native of Ohio, and to them were born four children, Virginia, who died in childhood; Emma, who is the wife of Charles H. Bostick; Flora, who is the wife of M. J. Compton, and Edith. Mrs. Mary Harger died in February, 1889, and he was subsequently married to Miss Margaret Bayes, a sister of his first wife. One child was born to the second union, Gladys by name. Mr. Harger's decease, which occurred in Manton on April 20, 1900, was a matter of regret to the people among whom his splendid abilities made him a leader and a forceful factor. In every relation of life he was a manly man, broad and liberal in his views, and won by his courtly manner and genial companionship the esteem and admiration of the people of his town and county. With a character open and transparent, and a sense of honor strong and decided, he was a striking example of what is noblest and best in manhood, and he will always be accorded a high place among Wexford's representative citizens.