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         HON. GEORGE D. HARRISON, of Columbus Junction, dealer in grain and live stock, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., on the 19th of December, 1829, and his parents were Seth P. and Sarah (Fawkes) Harrison. On the paternal side the history of the family in America dates back to the occupying of Pennsylvania by the William Penn colony, the earliest ancestor having been an English emigrant of that colony. On the mother’s side the family was also of English origin.

George D. removed with his parents to Clarke County, Ohio, when six years old, and was educated at Antioch School of Springfield, Ohio. In May, 1855, he came to Louisa County, Iowa, and in September of that year located at Columbus City, where he engaged in the grain and live-stock business. On the completion of what is now the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad to the so-called sand bank, near the present junction of that road with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern, in July, 1857, Mr. Harrison there engaged in the live-stock business, and when the road was extended to what is now known as Old Clifton, he was the first to engage in the same business at that place. He also followed merchandising at Columbus City until 1864, when he sold out, and from 1865 to 1873 was engaged in the live-stock and grain business, and also in farming. In the meantime he became interested in banking in Kansas with M. Barrett, and together they organized the Atchison National Bank in 1872, of which Mr. Harrison was chosen President, and maintained his connection with it until 1875, though still continuing his residence at Columbus City. He built the first grain warehouse at Columbus Junction, on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, and is still shipping through it. His brother, Garrett L., was the first agent at the Junction for both roads. Mr. Harrison is also largely interested in farming, having two well-improved farms situated in the township of Columbus City, which aggregate 700 acres. He continued to reside at Columbus City until 1878, when he removed to Columbus Junction, his present home.

On the 19th of December, 1859, Mr. Harrison was united in marriage with Miss Louisiana C. Ringer, daughter of Dr. Andrew P. Ringer. Mrs. Harrison was born at Hagerstown, Md., in 1839, and three children were born of their union, of whom only one is now living, Harry M., now aged twenty-six years, who is residing at Hampton, Iowa. Chester died at the age of eight years, and Milton when only one year old. Mr. Harrison is an anti-protection Republican. He was elected to the . . .

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. . . Iowa Legislature in 1870, serving two years, being on several important committees and doing his full duty in behalf of honest and useful legislation. He is an active, energetic and successful business man, upright and honorable in his intercourse with his fellow-citizens, and commands the fullest respect of all with whom he comes in contact.