Harris, Abram

HARRIS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/22/2019 at 22:48:55

Abram Harris

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.689)
ABRAM HARRIS, a prominent farmer of Knox Township, descended from a prominent American family. His grandfather, Barnett HARRIS, was born on a farm in Connecticut and was of English descent. He was the father of six sons: Barnett, Farrington, Gilbert, Daniel, William, and Joseph. The father lived to the age of sixty years, dying on his farm in Dutchess County, New York, where he was one of the early settlers. His son, Barnett, the father of our subject, was born in Dutchess County, and was married at the age of nineteen to Miss Sarah VANOLINDA, of Holland-Dutch parentage, but who had lived in New York state a number of years. They were the parents of eight children: Sabin; Abram; Hiram, deceased at the age of twelve years; Aaron, who died when forty-five years of age; Jane, deceased at five years; Anna E., died at the age of twenty-five; Fannie; and Mary J., deceased when eight years old. At the age of twenty-one, Mr. HARRIS enlisted in the War of 1812, and served three months. He died at the age of seventy years in Saratoga County. He took great pride in his family and brought them up under the old New England regime - to be honest and upright men and women. He was well known for his integrity of character and was industrious and frugal in his habits.

His son, Abram, the subject of this sketch, was born in Saratoga County, New York, April 15, 1823. His first experience at working out was when he was but nine years of age, for a six-months job, for which he received $12 and his board. He learned farming in the old-fashioned way, using the old-time sickle, scythe and hoe. He then became a dealer in cattle and meat, driving the cattle to the Albany markets. In 1855, he moved to Ottawa, Illinois, and engaged in the butcher business, remaining there about thirteen years. Next, in 1868, he went into the dairy business in Colorado, remaining but one year, when he went to Omaha where he stopped three months, and while there he purchased 240 acres of land in Pottawattamie County. He soon sold this and bought a one-half section, which he improved and also built a home. He sold this land in 1888 and bought his present farm of 274 acres, which is now under a good state of cultivation. Besides this fine farm, Mr. HARRIS also owns business property in Avoca. He is a large stock-raiser, having at present over 200 head of cattle and twenty-eight horses. In his political opinions, he is a Greenbacker, and belongs to the Union Labor Party. He was one of the old-time Republicans, and took an active interest in forming that party. He has always been an original thinker and independent in his opinions, and believes strongly in the original purposes of our Government - "a government of the people, by the people, and for the people" - and never hesitates to express his views. He served the city of Avoca as Mayor two years, and also filled the office of Justice of the Peace two years. He was nominated as candidate for State Senator on the Greenback ticket, and received the heaviest vote on the State ticket. He is a self-made man, having begun the struggle of life for himself at ten years of age, and by honest industry he has made his property. He is a well preserved man of sixty-seven years.

Mr. HARRIS was married in Dutchess County, New York, to Johanna FERRIS, of Irish parentage, and to them have been born five children: George W., who died at the age of eighteen; Eliza, Mary, Belle and Julia, deceased at nineteen years of age. The mother died, and the father was married to Mary HARDER, daughter of Jacob and Mary (HEPPNER) HARDER and to them have been born seven children: Maud, Charles, Lincoln, Thomas (deceased in infancy), Robert, Bennie and Jackson. Mrs. HARRIS has five brothers and sisters living, namely: Christian, Sophia, Mary, Charles and William. Their father was born in Germany.