Harland was born December 9, 1917, in Oneida, Iowa, the son of Edward and Lorahamah (Hansel) Brown. He was educated in the Oneida schools. Harland spent his childhood working on his uncle’s farm. He then worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps, helping to build Backbone State Park near Strawberry Point.

In 1940, Harland enlisted in the United States Army. Harland was a member of the last Horse Cavalry, patrolling the Mexican Border until WWII began.

Harland continued to serve his country in Okinawa, Japan, until he was honorably discharged in 1945.

On September 24, 1947, Harland was united in marriage to Rita E. Gaffney at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Monti, Iowa.

Harland worked for Reilly Construction in Ossian for many years. After his retirement, he enjoyed gardening and mowing.

He was a member of the Manchester American Legion Post #45.

He is survived by eight children, H. Andrew Brown of Los Angeles, California; Lorna Koeninger of Yukon, Oklahoma; Marsha (Lee) Peterson of Bolingbrook, Illinois; Georgia Dougherty of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Nina Hoppe of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Terrance Brown of Kellogg, Iowa; Brenda (Dave) Trostel of Newton, Iowa; Cecil Brown of Manchester, Iowa; eighteen grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Maxine Wessels of Manchester, Viola Irons of Oxford Junction, Iowa; one brother, Duane Brown of Pompano Beach, Florida; two brothers-in-law, Charles (Janet) Gaffney of Manchester and Vincent (Jodi) Gaffney of Apache Junction, Arizona; one sister-in-law, Catherine Ralston of Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Rita; one daughter, Cynthia Marie at birth; one sister, Laura Felderman; five brothers, Raymond, Lloyd, Richard, Melvin, and James Brown.