Archie Willard Harbeson

Willard and Esther Harbeson have spent their entire lives in and near Elsie. Esther is a third generation native, and Willard is a second generation. Willard was born on the place where Gunner Eckberg now lives on October 17, 1915. His parents came from Custer County in 19O7. They had nine children who grew up in this area, only Willard is still living . Esther was born on the place where her brother Dale Hanson now lives on April 18, 1918. Her parents were Oscar and Belle (Brittain) Hanson. Oscar was born on the family homestead east of Elsie in December 1886, and the Brittains moved here from Somerset in 1903. Brothers Emil and Dale still live in this vicinity, and her sister Edith Hunter lives in Omaha. Willard and Esther raised four boys. Gene lives in Oakland, N.J. with his wife Joan. Earl and Sheri live in Reseda, Ca. Duane and Heidi live in Alhambra, Ca., and Donald and Joan live in Elsie Willard's nephews, Harold and Leland spent several years with them and attended school in Elsie. The Harbesons farmed for several years, but moved into Elsie in 1946 where they operated a creamery and feed store. In 1950 they bought the "drug store". This business was also the social gathering place of the town, for both the young people and their parents. The soda fountain was the chief attraction. Here .05 cokes and phosphates were quickly made. The peanut busters were famous, costing .25, as did the thick milk shakes and malts. The high school kids delighted in thinking up new flavor variations and seeing if you could remember long enough to make them and serve them. Bottled pop was also .05 at first, and when it went to .10 in about 1952, people swore they would never drink another bottle of it and for a couple of years the pop case didn't have to be filled very often. But business at the fountain boomed—drinks were still .05 there for the regular 6 oz. glass. There must have been a million cups of coffee served across that bar starting in early morning when the school bus drivers came in before they went on the routes and never stopping before midnight when the "night" people had their last one before going home. Coffee was also .05 until about 1960 when it became necessary to have .10 for it. Esther and the boys ran the store most of the time as Willard started working for the Burlington Railroad. He retired in 1980 after 30 years first as a section laborer, then as an equipment operator. During this time Willard also repaired radios and TV's during the evenings and on weekends. Their hobby is traveling, and they have been in all states. They also made it to Singapore and Hong Kong while Earl was living there. Willard and Esther had been married 50 years — April 14, 1986. They have three grandchildren — Heather (Earl's) and Chris and Paul (Donald's), and a step grandson, Andy (Duane's). They also had 2 great grandchildren