In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1898) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1826
From History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881), A portrait and biographical record of Portage and Summit counties, Ohio (1898)
V. G. HARRIS, farmer; P. 0. Copley Center; was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Feb. 7, 1826;
is one in the following family born to Aaron and Eleanor (White) Harris; Francis M., Elizabeth M., Hamilton, Vincent G., William W., Cordelia, Ellen and Caroline. The subject of this biography remained with his parents until he was 23 years of age. In September, 1849, he was united in marriage with Martha Long, daughter of Jacob Long, and to this union was born a family of nine children, as follows: Rebecca B., born June 20, 1850; Mary, Sept. 28, 1851; Joseph J., Feb. 18, 1853; John, Feb. 15, 1855, died in infancy; Elizabeth, born Feb. 10, 1856; Eliza, May 28, 1857; Charles F., June 12, 1859; Sarah, Dec. 26, 1852, and Andrew J., Feb. 24, 1865. Mr. Harris started in life with little to depend on but his own exertions. He came to Copley Township in 1850, purchasing 50 acres of land. He advanced on his farm first $450, with a balance of 1750 to pay. Since that time he has added by degrees, until he now owns a fine farm of 200 acres of well-improved land, besides other property. Mr. Harris is one of the leading men of his township, and is well respected by all his acquaintances.
As printed in History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
VINCENT G. HARRIS was born in Wayne county, Ohio, February 7, 1826, the fourth in a family of ten children, four sons and si.\ daughters, born to Aaron and Eleanor (White) Harris. There are only three of the ten living: Elizabeth, wife of Nicholas H. Long, of Wadsworth, Ohio, and an agriculturist; Vincent G., our subject, and Eleanor, wife of Joseph Shoemaker, a farmer in Bath township.
Mr. Harris, the father, was born either in Virginia or Maryland, was reared to the life of a farmer and educated in the common schools, and he and wife were members of the oldschool Presbyterian church. The mother was a native of Ohio and her parents were born in Ireland. Mr. Harris received a rudimentary training in the pioneer log-cabin school-house, and when he commenced life the battle was fought empty handed as regards financial support, but, with the aid of his estimable wife, he has accumulated a competency which places them both in such circumstances that their remaining days may be happily spent in ease and comfort.
Mr. Harris those for his companion in life Miss Magdelana Long, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Creese) Long. She was born March i, 1829, in Medina county, Ohio, and received her education in the common schools. They were married September 13, 1849, and by this union have been born nine children, viz: Rebecca Belle, wife of Moses Huger, of Midland county, Mich., a farmer with five children; Mary, wife of John M. Hoertz, of Loyal Oak, Summit county, a farmer with two children; Joseph, a minister in the church of Christ, who has been a worker in the vineyards of the Lord in Illinois and Ohio, and is at present in Michigan; he married Miss Augusta Van Vorhis, a native of Ohio, is a student of Bethany college, in Virginia, and has one child living; John died in infancy; Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Shook, a stonemason by trade, resides in Akron, Ohio, and is the mother of five children; Eliza J., who resides with her parents at Copley Center, was educated in the Copley high school and was a successful teacher in Summit county; Charles
F., of Loyal Oak, married Miss Rosa Wertman, a native of Ohio, and has one child; Alice S. is the wife of Alvin Freid, a mechanic in Blake, Medina county, Ohio; and Andrew J., the youngest, is a farmer in Copley township, and is married to Metta Robinson, a native of Ohio.
Mrs. Vincent Harris' parents were natives of the Keystone state, and died in Wadsworth, Ohio. Father Long was a miller by trade, but devoted much of his later life to farming. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian society. Their family comprised fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters, only four of whom are living — two in Nebraska and two in Ohio. The first presidential vote our subject cast was for Gen. Winfield Scott, but since the organization of the republican party has advocated its principles. He served many years as school director, and was township trustee for sixteen to eighteen years. He is a true respected of all religious teachings, and his wife is a member of the Reformed church. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have a beautiful estate of 146 acres within one mile of Copley and a comfortable home in the village, where they are surrounded by many friends, who esteem them highly for their sterling integrity.
As printed in A portrait and biographical record of Portage and Summit counties, Ohio (1898). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.