THOMAS H. HARRIS, MASSENA TOWNSHIP.

The subject above named, who is a well known and highly respected farmer of Massena township, is a native of Iowa, being born in Clarke county, on the 11th of November, 1855. His parents, William and Sarah (McNeal) Harris, were born in Virginia, of Scotch Irish descent, and in that State the father was engaged in farming. About 1848 he came to Mahaska county, Iowa, where, as well as in Clarke county and the State of Missouri, he pursued his old-time calling with fair success. In 1862, while in Atchison county, that State, William Harris enlisted in the Thiry-third Missouri Volunteer Infantry. He was at Helena (Ark.), the siege of Vicksburg, and at other points covering a broad field of operations, and died at Helena in 1865. His death was a singular one, being caused by a wound which he received while drawing a charge from his own gun. The deceased left a widow, six sons and one daughter, the mother of the family still living in Massena. The paternal grandfather, James Harris, was a native of Ireland, a farmer of occupation, and died while the family were living in Mahaska county.

It was in that section of Iowa that Thomas H. Harris grew to manhood as an industrious and intelligent farmer. He remained thus engaged in Mahaska county until 1880, when he removed to Cass county with his brother, Alexander. For the first three years he farmed rented land, and in connection therewith operated a thresher. He then purchased a portion of the 160 acre farm, which, with the continuous improvements he has made, constitutes his present homestead and one of the nicest pieces of property in the township.

On February 18, 1885, Thomas H. Harris was united in marriage to Luella Hemphill, a native of Missouri, and a daughter of James and Mary Hemphill. Her parents came to Cass county when she was a child, and now reside at Fontanelle, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Harris the following six children have been born, all of whom reside upon the homestead: Austin, Nora, Ruby, Earl, Ernest and Lloyd. Mr. Harris is a thoroughly domestic man, and has neither concerned himself with politics nor sought public preferment.

Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, August, 2018, from "Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pg. 357.