Henry A. Harris

HARRIS, HALE, SPICER, PICKFORD

Posted By: Allamakee co. Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/14/2004 at 02:36:36

Henry A. Harris
A biographical history of the well-to-do agriculturists of Grundy County would not be complete without the sketch of Mr. Harris, now deceased who was not only one of he influential farmers of his township, but fought gallantly as a soldier during the late Civil War. He was born in Lorain County, Ohio, in 1834, and was the son of Calvin and Lucinda (Hale) Harris. His father, who was a native of New York, was in early life a shoemaker, but later followed the occupation of a farmer. He was an efficient member of the Congregational Church, and spent the greater part of his life in Ohio, where his decease occurred. The two children comprising his family were Julia and the father of our subject.

Henry Harris was reared on his father's farm in Ohio, and supplemented the knowledge gained in the common schools by a course at Oberline College. When beginning life on his own account he was married, December 23, 1857, to Miss Mary, daughter of John and Harriet (Spicer) Pickford. Mrs. Harris was also a native of Ohio, while her parents came from England. To them were born nine children, all of whom are living and bear the respective names of Ana, Emma, Lizzie, Etta, Ella, Albert, May, Cora and Calvin. The children have all been given good educations and the three eldest daughters are married.

Mr. Harris of this sketch came to Iowa two years previous to his marriage, and after purchasing three hundred acres of land in Allamakee County returned to his native state. Two years later he returned with his wife, to whom he had been married in the meantime. He resided upon that place until 1882, when he came to Grundy County and located upon the place where his children are now residing, on section 7, Black Hawk Township. There he made his home until his decease, in December, 1890. He was followed to the better land by his wife, who died in February, 1892. Mr. Harris was the first photographer in Allamakee County, Iowa.

On the outbreak of the late war, Henry Harris became a member of Company K, Twenty-seventh Iowa Regiment, and served for three years under the command of Sherman. His wife was a devoted member of the Congregational Church. In politics Mr. Harris was a stanch Republican, and gave his support to all measures of a public-spirited character. His children, who are single, occupy the home farm and seek to carry it on in a profitable manner.

-source: Portrait and Biographical Records of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa; Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent & Representative Citizens of the Counties; Chicago: Biographical Publishing Co., 1894; pg 682

-transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall for Allamakee co. IAGenWeb biographies

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