R. S. Harker, station agent at Versailles, Mo., has for the past five years been engaged in this business in the city. He was born in New York, and is the son of James and Mary A. Harker, natives of England. The father was also a station agent, having filled that position at the terminus of the Missouri Pacific Railroad when that road was but forty miles in all, and was killed in an accident at Arkadelphia, Ark., in 1872, at the age of forty-five years. The mother now resides at Sedalia, Mo. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the father was a man who always took an active part in church matters. He was at one time candidate for sheriff of Moniteau County. Of the seven children born to his marriage, all are now living except two, who died in infancy: R. S., D. C., in Kansas, and master mechanic's clerk for the Missouri Pacific Railroad; Mattie, wife of Rev. Price E. Crow; Percie, now a druggist at Sedalia; Florence, a teacher; Angelena, died at the age of one year and six months, and Celestia, died in infancy. R. S. Harker received his education in the subscription schools, and at the age of eighteen he was employed by the United States Express Company in the capacity of express agent, at Tipton, Mo., continuing in that position for eighteen months. He then took a position as express messenger of the United States Express Company, and was thus engaged for several months. He was than occupied as brakeman, baggageman and conductor for nine years for the Missouri Pacific Railway, and has been in the employ of that company ever since, taking charge of the station in May, 1885. He was married in 1877 to Miss Laura Ganes, a native of Cooper County, Mo., and the result of this union was three children: Laura, Horton and Leroy C., the former two having died in infancy. Mr. Harker is a member of the A. O. U. W., is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association, and takes an active part in the same. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Harker is the owner of some town property.
History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries and Osage Counties, Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.