The Harris Families of Allamakee County, Iowa

GEORGE W. HARRIS.

The agricultural development of Allamakee county has been greatly stimulated by the activities of George W. Harris, who owns a valuable farm of two hundred and thirty acres in Postville township, on which he still lives, although he has now retired from active labor, leaving the most arduous duties of operating his land to his son-in-law. As evidence of his success, it may be cited that he is also president of the Farmers Cooperative Company of Postville and of the Cooperative Creamery Company of this city. Moreover, he has other interests and is a stockholder in numerous prosperous enterprises.

George W. Harris was born in McConnelsville, Morgan county, Ohio, December 22, 185 1, and is a son of Elisha and Margaret (Patterson) Harris, both natives of the same county. The father, who always followed agricultural pursuits, came in 1854 to Iowa, locating at Lybrand, Post township, where he continued successful in the operation of his farm until his demise in 1898. The

PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAA/fAKEE COUNTY 361 mother had passed away about five years previous to that time. In their family were fourteen children.

George W. Harris was brought by his parents to Iowa when but a child and received his educational advantages in the district schools of Post township, the first school which he attended being conducted in an old-fashioned log schoolhouse located near what is now known as the Minert cemetery, so named for Mrs. Minert, who was the first to be buried there. Mr. Harris early began to assist his father with the work of the farm and acquired detailed information regarding agricultural operations. After laying aside his text-books he remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he was married, continuing, however, after that event, to operate his father's land for one year, at the end of which time he purchased part of the farm he now owns. When he acquired title to this property it was but a wilderness improved with a little log house and a small hatched stable. Courageous and persevering, however, he set to work breaking acre by acre until his land brought him gratifying returns. He began with eighty acres and, as his financial resources increased gradually, added thereto until he now owns a farm of two hundred and thirty acres highly improved and well under cultivation. His barns, outbuildings and sheds are modern and suitably equipped, his residence is comfortable and all modern conveniences can be found therein, while he has installed the latest type of farm machinery in order to facilitate the labor and improve the productivity of the soil. Although Mr. Harris has retired from the more strenuous duties of the farm, leaving that part of the work to his son-in-law, he still supervises in a general way his farming interests. The land is largely devoted to mixed farming, raising the grain suitable to soil and climate, but his live-stock interests are also important, he having given a number of years to the improvement of his strain of high bred Poland China hogs. As is but natural for a man of the business ability, enterprise and alertness such as Mr. Harris possesses, he has become connected with allied and other interests and at present serves as president of the Farmers Cooperative Company of Postville and in the same position in the Postville Creamery Company, being not only a large stockholder in these institutions, but also having done valuable work as an executive officer in promoting their growth and eft'active operation. Mr. Harris is also a stockholder in the Clay Products Company, the canning factory of Postville. and is interested in the Piano International Machinery Company of Piano. Illinois. It is a cooperative concern formed by farmers in order to furnish them with machinery of the best grade at the lowest cost. Moreover. Mr. Harris is a factor in financial circles of Postville. being a stockholder in the Citizens Piank.

The marriage of Mr. Harris to Miss Ella Laughlin occurred May 4. 1872. Mrs. Harris was born in Post township in 1853. on the farm which adjoins her present home. She is a daughter of John and Jane Laughlin. natives of Scotland, who became early settlers in this county, where the father attained prosperity as the result of a long, useful and active life as a farmer. Roth he and his wife passed away on the farm located next to Mr. Harris' and which is now occupied by their son. J. R. Laughlin, Mr. and Mrs. Harris became the parents of six children: Warner, who married Miss Rachel Folsom and is now engaged in farming in Post township: Nina, the wife of.Arthur \Y. Swenson, an agriculturist of Franklin township: Hazel, who married Alonzo Folsom, who now has charge of the actual operation of Mr. Harris' farm; Mabel, the wife of Richard Folsom, a farmer of Franklin township; Gerald, at home; and Roger, deceased. He was the youngest of the family and a promising young boy of ten years, who lost his life by being accidentally shot.

Although Mr. Harris has withdrawn from the most arduous labors in connection with farm work, he remains an important factor in the agricultural advancement of Allamakee county, to the development of which he has contributed in a considerable degree, while at the same time promoting his private interests. He is honored and respected in his vicinity as one who, by his own efforts, attained to a substantial place and one who always was as considerate of the interests of others as of his own.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WARNER McCLARY HARRIS.

A well cultivated and highly improved farm of one hundred and sixty-seven acres near Postville gives evidence of the successful pursuits of Warner McClary Harris as an agriculturist in Allamakee county. He is a native of Post township, having been born August 3, 1874, and is a son of George W. and Ella (Laughlin) Harris, the former a farmer of the Postville district, of whom more extended mention is made in another portion of this work.

Warner M. Harris, in the acquirement of his education, attended school in Post township and also the Postville high school. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, although he had rented land and engaged in farming five years before that event. When he married he bought the farm upon which he now resides, locating thereon the next day. His property comprises one hundred and sixty-seven fertile acres which he has improved with modern buildings and brought to a high state of productivity. He engaged in general farming and also has extensive stock-raising interests. Mr. Harris is also a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Store and in the Canning Factory at Postville.

On February 23, 1898, Mr. Harris married Miss Rachel Folsom, who was born just across the border in Winneshiek county, September 4, 1879, "" ' a daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Ewing) Folsom, both parents being natives of Indiana. The father during his active life followed farming and at an early date settled in Allamakee county, where he operated the Myren mill and also cultivated rented land for some time. Later he removed across the county line to Winneshiek county, but again returned to Allamakee county, acquiring title to a farm in Post township, where he still resides. This property is one mile southwest of the Harris farm and there he is still actively engaged in its operation. The wife of our subject is the second in order of birth in a family of ten children. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are the parents of three children: Lloyd, born May 6, 1900; Robert Ray, born July 18, 1905; and Roger, born April 20. 1909.

Mr. Harris holds membership in the United Brethren church, and in his political views is independent, although he inclines toward the republican party.

Fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen lodge of Postville. One of the younger generation of successful farmers, he has done much toward promoting the agricultural growth of Allamakee county and is considered a serviceable factor in his locality, where he has gained many friends whose good-will and confidence he enjoys.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SAMSON A. HARRIS.

Among the prosperous agriculturists of Allamakee county is Samson A. Harris, who has extensive holdings near Postville, owning a farm of three hundred and thirty acres. He is also interested in a number of important enterprises. He was born at Caldwell, Ohio, March 24, 1862, and is a son of David McGary and Rosanna (Floyd) Harris. Both parents were also natives of Ohio, the father being born in Noble county. He always followed agricultural pursuits in his native state and there passed away in 1892. The mother still makes her home in Ohio. David Harris made a distinguished military record in the war of the Rebellion, serving with valor and devotion for nine months and his death resulting from the effects of an affliction which he had contracted during the service. In his family were nine children, of whom our subject is the third in order of birth.

Samson A. Harris, in the acquirement of his education, attended public school in Noble county, Ohio, which state he left in 1881 in order to come to Iowa, where he accepted employment with his uncle, Elisha Harris, there remaining for four years. By thrift and energy he acquired the means which enabled him to purchase the farm upon which he now lives, the nucleus of his holdings consisting of sixty-seven acres, to which he has since added at various times until his property now comprises three hundred and thirty acres. He devotes his attention to general farming and also gives a good deal of his time to stock-raising. His buildings are modern and up-to-date and his equipment and machinery of the latest type. The appearance of his place speaks well for the methods he employs and stands as evidence of his prosperity. Mr. Harris has become interested in other enterprises and is a stockholder in the Postville Canning Factory and in the Clay Products Company. He also holds stock in the Farmers Implement Company of Piano, Illinois, and the Citizens Bank of Postville.

On September 22, 1885, occurred the marriage of Mr. Harris and Miss Ida Smith. She was born in Post township in 1864 and is a daughter of John N. and Susan (Lee) Smith, both natives of New York. They came to Iowa before their marriage and the father resided a short time in Decorah before removing to Post township. Here he acciiiired land, to the cultivation of which he devoted the remainder of his Hfe, passing away in 1895. Plis wife still survives, residing in Post township. In their family were eight children, of whom but two are now living, including Mrs. Harris. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have two daughters: Lila, who is teaching school at Waukon and resides at home; and Leone, who pursues her education in Toledo, Iowa.

Mrs. Harris and daughters are members of the United Brethren church, to which Mr. Harris gives his helpful support. His political faith is that of the republican party and, although he keeps intelligently informed upon all issues involved, he has never aspired to public office. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. Starting out in life with no particular advantages, Mr. Harris has again proven the fact that success is but ambition's answer and that industry and honesty will win the day. While he has become one of the most prosperous agriculturists of his section, he has been a factor in the general advancement, and is recognized as a forceful element in the community, where he is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.