Born near Wilmington, Ohio, Harlan attended the public schools.

He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1839 and commenced practice in Richmond, Indiana.

He served as a clerk of the Indiana House of Representatives in 1842 and a member 1846-1848.

He was driven from the Territory by the Indians in September 1862 and settled in Savannah, Missouri, where he resumed the practice of law.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress