Frederick William Harnwell
Frederick William Harnwell began the practice of law in Chicago eighteen years ago and by close attention to his profession has won standing at the bar which entitles him to the recognition he receives as one of the successful attorneys of the city. He has also served as consul of Bolivia since July 11, 1902. He is a native of Ohio and was born at Mount Vernon, September 18, 1869, his parents being Benjamin and Emma (Probasco) Harnwell. The father was born in New York state but took up his residence in the south and became well known as a journalist. He was editor of the Memphis, Tennessee, Argus and was very active in promoting the cause of the Confederacy, his paper being for a time its official organ. After the close of the Rebellion he removed to Ohio and later to Arkansas, where he engaged in rice farming. He continued in that state until his death, which occurred in August, 1902. The grandfather and great-grandfather of our subject were bopth clergymen of the Church of England, the former having come to America from Suffolk about 1805- The family was once very numerous in England. The ancestors of the mother of our subject were of Portuguese origin and the first members of the family to arrive in America settled in New Jersey. Later the Probasco family became well known at Cincinnati, John Probasco, the father of Mrs. Harnwell, being a prominent lawyer and jurist of that city, as was also his father. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harnwell, one daughter and three sons. But two of the sons are living, Charles P., being an attorney of Little Rock, Arkansas and Frederick William of this review.
Mr. Harnwell of this sketch received his preliminary education in the public schools. Later he matriculated at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, and was graduated from that institute with the degree of Ph. B., in 1889. Soon afterwards he entered the Cincinnati Law School, which in 1891 conferred upon him the degree of LL. B. He was admitted to practice in the coursts of Ohio in 1892, but did not begin practice until a year later, when he came to Chicago and associated with the firm of Swift, Campbell & Jones, soon demonstrating his ability in a profession for which he is eminently adapted by natural talent and education. Since 1906 he has been a member of the firm of Thoman, Harnwell & Pearsons. He gives his attention principally to real-estate and corporation practice and has gained a fine reputation as a successful advocate and counselor.
On the 31st of March, 1902, Mr. Harnwell was married, at Evanston, to Anny Jane Wilcox, a daughter of George G. Wilcox, and they have one son, Gaylord Frederick, who was born September 29, 1904. The family resides at 615 University place, Evanston. Politically Mr. harnwell is not affiliated with either of the leading parties, preferring to vote independently. His religious views are indicated by membership in the Episcopal church. He is actively interested in charitable and educational work and is a trustee of Kenyon College, a director of the Evanston Hospital and is also identified with other institutions. He belongs to the University and Evanston Golf Clubs and the Phi Upsilon fraternity, and served very acceptably for several years as secretary of the Ohio Society of Chicago. A Through student, he early in his professional life mastered the principles of law and, being a man of cool judgement and clear discrimination, he has met with more than the ordinary measure of success in his practice. He is an interesting speaker, a good reasoner and is equally at home in the courtroom or upon the platform before a general audience. The high estimation in which he is held by his legal brethren and his wide circle of acquaintances indicates that he made no mistake in selecting the law as his vocation and the great city of Chicago as his field of operations.