Isaiah Harris

HARRIS, STOVER

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/2/2001 at 19:09:36

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties - 1890
ISAIAH HARRIS
Isaiah Harris, a leading businessman of Milton and the President of the Milton District Fair, has
carried on the grocery business at this place since 1872, a longer continuous period that any
other engaged in that line in the city. The life record of Mr. Harris is as follows: He was born in
Preble County, Ohio, March 29, 1844, and when a lad of seven years in 1851, accompanied
his parents to Iowa, where he was reared to manhood on a farm and received a common
school education. When only seventeen years of age he responded to his country’s call for
troops and on October 9, 1861, enlisted as a member of Company D, Third Iowa Cavalry,
being mustered out October 9, 1865, after four years of active service. During that time he was
three times wounded, first on March 7, 1862, at Pea Ridge, where he received a gunshot
wound; again in Benton Arkansas in November 1863, he sustained a gunshot in the left hand
and a third time in the fall of 1864 at the battle of Big Blue. Mr. Harris participated in the
capture of Vicksburg, was in the two battles of Jackson Mississippi, and in the engagement at
Pea Ridge, Guntown, Tupelo Mississippi and Columbus Georgia under Wilson. He was made
Orderly to General A.J. Smith, and was appointed Quartermaster of his regiment, about three
weeks before the battle of Tupelo, and later had charge of about sixty men guarding the
division supple store.
On his return from the war, Mr. Harris engaged in farming in Davis County Iowa, six miles west
of Milton, where he continued operations until 1872, when he removed to the city and
embarked in the grocery business as before stated. Eighteen years has he continued in that
line of trade, and the large patronage, which he has received, has made him one of the
substantial citizens of the place.
On December 13, 1866, in Pulaski Iowa Mr. Harris led to the marriage alter Miss Leah Stover,
a native of Smithfield Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob Stover. Two children were born of their
union but both died in infancy. This worthy couple is members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church of West Union, and in the social world are held in high regard. In politics, Mr. Harris is
a Democrat but has never sought official distinction. He was on of the organizers of the Milton
District Agricultural Society in 1881, held the office of President for three years and is its
largest stockholder. His enthusiasm and energy in support of the enterprise has done much to
insure its success. Socially, he is a Master Mason, holding membership in Aurora Lodge No.
50, A.F. & A.M. of Milton. Mr. Harris is a man of superior business and executive ability and is
recognized as an enterprising, energetic and successful businessman, whose integrity is
unquestioned and whose judgment is always respected.
I am not related, and am posting the biography for those who may find this person in their family history.