Edward W Harrison

HARRISON

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/26/2010 at 11:06:02

In the death of Edward W Harrison, Boone county lost a citizen worthy of the high regard I which he was uniformly held. His life conformed to the high standards of Masonry and of citizenship I every regard, and the fact that he was for thirty years I the employ of one corporation is indicative of his fidelity and capability in business. He was called to his final rest September 11, 1913, at the age of seventy-five years, his birth having occurred Liverpool, England, February 14, 1838. His parts were William R And Lizzie (Simcock) Harrison. The father was engaged in shipbuilding, devoting his life to industrial activity. The mother died in England, but about 1848 the father sailed for the new world, accompanied by his so Edward. At length they reached New York harbor and for a period remained in the eastern metropolis, but later made their way to Chicago, where Edward W Harrison was reared and learned the carpenter’s trade. He led a busy , active and useful life, devoting his time and energies to work at this trade save for the period when partriotism over topped every other interest in his life and he offered his services to the government in defense of the Union cause. It was in 1861 that he enlisted as a member of Company G, Eighteenth United States Infantry, with which he served for three years, doing active duty o many a hotly contested battlefield. So strenuous was his service that it undermined his health and to his army experience could be traced his invalid condition during the last twenty years of his life.
When the war was over Mr Harrison returned to his home with a most creditable military record. Soon afterward he left Illinois and came to Iowa, from which time forward he was in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, remaining with that corporation for thirty years or ore. He was foreman in the carpenter shop and discharged his duties in a most capable and satisfactory manner. He seemed to know just how to direct the labors of men so as to produce the best results, yet he was never a machine taskmaster.
On July 13, 1878, at Boone, Mr Harrison was untied in marriage to Miss Eliza J West, who was born at Farmington, Van Buren county, Iowa, a daughter of James and Lucetta West. They were pioneers of this state, and MR West made merchandising his life work. Both are now deceased. Mrs Harrison was reared in Iowa and in early womanhood began learning the millinery trade, being employed I a wholesale house in Des Moines for a number of years prior to her marriage. Unto Mr and Mrs Harrison was born a son, Ridgby William, who is employed as a bookkeeper.
Mr Harrison gave his political endorsement to the republican party and kept well informed concerning questions and issues of the same day. He wore with considerable pride the little bronze button that indicated him a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, his affiliation being with W C Crooks Post of Boone. He was also a Mason and exemplified in his life he beneficent spirit of the craft. He attended and supported the Baptist church, to which Mrs Harrison belongs. When death called him on September 11, 1913, he was laid to rest with Masonic rites, his funeral being very largely attended by his brethren of that order. He never sought to figure prominently in any public connection, but he did seek to do this duty day by day and his example I that respect is well worthy of emulation, his straightforward and upright course winning for him the respect of all of with whom be came in contact.

1914 Boone County History Book