Henry Clay Harris

As printed in 1902

CAPTAIN HENRY CLAY HARRIS.

The well known farmer of Miller township, Knox county, Ohio, whose name is above has an enviable record as a soldier and as a judicial officer, and his standing as a citizen is deservedly high. Therefore some account of his creditable career is absolutely necessary to the completeness of this work.

Henry Clay Harris, son of Emor and Sarah (Sweet) Harris, was born in the house in which he now lives, one of the oldest brick residences in the county, September 29, 1832, and it may be said that he practically has had no business except farming during all his active years. His father, Emor Hart4i ris, was born in Rhode Island, in 1792, and early connected himself with the minute men of his day and locality, who were ever ready to act instantly in defense of our then young nation. The fact that there is no record that he was ever called into active service does not dim the luster of his patriotic intentions. He emigrated to Ohio in 18 16 and located on land now owned by H. Grant Harris, which he secured as military land. He was a man of influence in the community. He married, in 1813 Miss Sarah Sweet, who bore him eight children: Caroline born in Rhode Island; and Emor B.; Sarah, May, Bessie, Lydia, Emily and Henry Clay, born in Ohio.. Of this family of children only Emor B., of Red Oak, Iowa, Caroline of Galena, Delaware county, Ohio, and Henry Clay are living. Sarah (Sweet) Harris was a daughter of Philip and Anfillis (Brown) Sweet, natives of Rhode Island, and her father was a soldier in the war for independence.

The subject of this sketch is a charter member of Syramore Valley Lodge, No. 553, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and, having passed all its chairs, is one of its honored past noble grand. He has been once elected treasurer of Miller township and has by successive re-election filled the office of justice of the peace for four successive terms. His military career began early in 1864, when he recruited a company for the United States' service in Pleasant and Miller townships, which became Company C, One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry and of which he was elected captain at its organization, May 13, 1864. The organization was mustered into the service at Camp Chase, Columbus, and at once left for Fort Lvon and was under fire almost daily in Grant's line advancing on Richmond until it was mustered out at Camp Chase in September, 1864. He is a member of Fry Post, No.

When twenty-four years of age Captain Harris married Miss Dorcas Gates, who has borne him four children: Mary W., Cyrus G., Carrie A. and Grant. Mary W. married A. E. Lockwood and died in 1891. Carrie A. died in 1893, tinmarried. Cyrus G. is a teacher of Brandon. Grant Harris was born April 21, 1867, and was married December 7, 1892, to Miss Ella Barker, a daughter of George W. and Rachal (Moody) Barker, of Brandon. Five years ago he bought his father's old homestead, which was secured by his grandfather in 18 16. It comprises sixty-seven acres and devoted to general farming. Is a Republican in his political views. On his twenty-first birthday he was made an Odd Fellow, and has passed the chairs of Sycamore Lodge, and Lyman lodge of Rebeccas was organized under his jurisdiction as Noble Grand.

As printed in The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.