The Harrison Family

Joseph Harrison in Biographical review of Henry County, Iowa

The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.

JOSEPH HARRISON.

Joseph Harrison, sexton of the ceme- tery in Scott township and owner of a well improved farm of seventy-three acres, was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, on the 4th of May, 1861, and his entire

life has been spent in this state. He is by birth, training and preference a typical citizen of the middle west, belonging to that class whose diligence and enterprise have been the source of the rapid and sub- stantial development of this section of the country. His father, William Harrison was born in Clark county, Ohio, in 18 17 and was a son of Shadrach Harrison, who in the year 1827 removed with his family from Ohio to Cass county, Michigan, which was then a pioneer district in which the work of development and improve- ment had scarcely been begun. There the family remained for seven years, when in 1834 they cast in their lot with the pio- neer residents of Louisa county, Iowa. AVilliam Harrison was at that time a young man of seventeen years and he assisted in the arduous task of developing new land and converting it from a wild state into one of rich fertility. In 1842 he removed from Louisa to Jefferson county, Iowa, where he again settled upon a farm, devoting his entire life to general agricultural pursuits. He was married to Miss Susanna Mace, a native of Tennes- see and for a long period they traveled life's journey together, being separated by the death of Mrs. Harrison in September, 1893. Mr. Harrison survived for almost ten years, passing away in March, 1903.

Joseph Harrison of this review was reared upon the old family homestead in Jefferson county and worked with his father upon the farm, which comprised three hundred and forty acres of very rich and productive land and of which his father retained the ownership until 1890. Joseph Harrison there lived until 1889, when he went to Nebraska, spending a

year in that state. He then returned to Jefferson county, sold his portion of the old home place and afterward went to Wapello, Iowa. Following his marriage he bought a farm of seventy-three acres located on the southern half of section 15, Scott township, and hereon has built a fine residence and also substantial barns and outbuildings ample for the shelter of grain and stock. In fact he has carried forward the work of development and improvement in so progressive a manner that his labors have been attended with a high measure of success. He has drilled a well which is one hundred and thirty feet in depth, has divided his place into fields of convenient size by wire fences, has placed considerable time on the farm and thus enhanced its productiveness and has planted three and a half acres to pears, apples and small fruits. He has an excellent farm and altogether his place is one of the most attractive and best improved in the township. He took up his abode thereon on the 9th of March,

1892, and has wrought a splendid trans- formation in the appearance of the farm since that time. He has also been engaged in dealing in nursery stock since 1899 and N. R. Heath, living west of Win- field, has a five-acre orchard of cherry trees containing eight hundred trees which were secured from Mr. Harrison. The latter has also been agent for Leyda & Company, dealers in tomb stones at Burlington, Iowa, since 1894. In July,

1893, he was appointed sexton of the Scott township cemetery which adjoins his place. Prior to this time the cemetery was overrun w^ith wild grass and weeds but it is now one of the best kept cities of

the dead in this section. Everything is orderly and neat in appearance and flow- ers and trees add greatly to the beauty of the place, showing the careful supervision and labor of Mr. Harrison.

(3n the 17th of August, 1891, was cele- brated the marriage of Joseph Harrison and Miss Isabelle M. Anderson, a daugh ter of Albert and Mary E. (Spangler) Anderson, both of whom are natives of this county. Mrs. Harrison was also born in this county and was educated in the public schools of Wayne township. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children : Edith May, born July 30. 1896; and Joseph Earl, born January 12. 1899, and Arnold, who died in in- fancy, was born in 1895.

Mr. Harrison exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and in November, 1904, he was elected to the office of assessor of Scott township as the successor of Edward Neil, his incumbency to continue until 1906. He is a member of the Fraternal Aid Association of Law- rence, Kansas, and in his religious faith is a Presbyterian. Since starting out in life on his own account he has won a very desirable measure of success and in an analyzation of his life record it will be found that his proseprity is due to his earnest purpose and unremitting diligence.

Source: Biographical review of Henry County, Iowa. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.