Thomas Harrison

As printed in 1887

THOMAS HARRISON, one of the substantial farmers of Linn County, formerly a lumberman in Pennsylvania, and now residing on section 21, Monroe Township, was born in Portage County, Ohio, Aug. 24, 1824. At an early period in Thomas' life, his father, Joseph, removed to Cambria County, Pa., where he remained until his death, May 1, 18G8, at the age of seventy-four years, eleven months and nine days. Joseph Harrison married Miss Mary Snyder, a native of Pennsylvania, and they had seven children, as follows: George, Thomas, Christopher, John, David, Samuel and Elizabeth.

Thomas Harrison, our subject, married, Dec. 28, 1854, Miss Sarah Waters, a native of Pennsylvania, born Oct. 20, 1834, by whom he had five children, three of whom are now living. Mrs. Harrison is the daughter of Jacob and Anna (Leidy) Waters, natives of Pennsylvania. Her father was of Irish descent and her mother a German. They had ten children, of whom seven are now living, as follows: Samuel,.Mary, Daniel, David, Sarah (wife of our Subject), Matilda and Elizabeth Jane. The names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are as follows: Stephen J., born Sept. 24, 1855; Ophelia, Nov. 31, 1857; Charlotte J., July 3, 1862; James L., born Nov. 7, 1869, now deceased, and William H., born May 6, 1873.

Mr. Harrison came to Iowa in 18G8. He is now the owner of 1024; acres of land, on which is a fair surrounding's its — """

dwelling-house. His farm and its show evidence of thrift and care in its management, and do credit to the head and hand of the owner. Mr. H. is, and was reared a Dunkard or German Baptist. His parents before him belonged to the same denomination. His school privileges in his early days were very limited, but for any deficiencies in this direction he makes up by native shrewdness, which has given him a leading place among the farmers of his township. He is a Republican in politics, although he was brought up a Democrat. He carries his conscience into politics as well as into his daily transactions, and his energy, probity and shrewdness, have won him the respect and esteem of all his neighbors.

Mr. Harrison is legal heir to a large estate in England, consisting of money on deposit in the Bank of England. This was left by the great-grandfather to John James Harrison, grandfather of our subject, the amount being £140,000 sterling, but, owing to lack of proper evidence, none of the family have ever been able to obtain it.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Linn County, Iowa (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.