In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1905) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1856, Howard county
From Biographical history: Atchison County, Missouri (1905), A biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri; (1901)
IRGIL B. HARRIS.
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Nero Thompson, the material grand fatb.er of our subject, was a native of South Carolina, and on attaining his majority came to Missouri, where he afterward married Miss Elizabeth Williams. She was lion in North Carolina, but in an early day accompanied her parents to Missouri. After their marriage Mr. Thompson entered land near Fayette, Missouri, and successfully carried on farming until his death, which occurred in 1867. He owned a number of slaves, whose labors weve utilized in improving and cultivating his farm. He was loved b)- all who knew him. His devotion to his family was most marked. He counted no personal sacrifice too great that would enhance the happiness and promote the welfare of his wife and children, and it seemed that he could take no pleasure in anything if it was not also enjoyed by them. He was a lifelong Democrat, but never aspired to public office. His sympathy was with the south at the time of the Civil war, but when hostilities were inaugurated lie was [do old to enter the service. He (lid rdl in his power, however. to aid the southern cau.se, permitting his boys to go to the front to battle for what he believed to be right. His wife was a consistent and valued member of the old-school Baptist church, and her religion was not something to be donned on Sund:iy but formed a part of her every-day life. Christian principles permeating her actions and her treatment of all with whom she came in contact. Her death occurred about 1865.
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The Harris and Thompson families were united through the marriage of Thomas B. Harris and Margaret Thompson. The former was born May 2, 181S, near Gettysburg, in Grayson county, Kentucky, and when only two years of age was taken by his parents to Howard county, Missouri, where he was reared. At the age of twenty-six he married Margaret Thompson, who was born December 12, 1828. The wedding was celebrated on the i6th of January, 1845, '"d soon afterward they took up their above upon a farm near Fayette, Missouri, where they continued to reside until the death of the wife and mother, November it,, 1888. She was an earnest Christian woman, holding membership in the Presbyterian church. Mr Harris also belongs to the same church, and for many years has been a faithful followed of its teachings. He served for two years in the Confederate army during the Civil war and in his political adiations has always been a Democrat, but would never accept public office. Long one of the extensive and prosperous farmers of Howard county, he is numbered among its substantial and A\worthy citizens. In his family were fourteen children, ten of whom were married and had families of their own. namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, William T.. Mrs. Olivia Cross, Millard P., Jerome W' X'virgil B., Mrs. Artemisha Staiger, Mrs. Martha Spotts, Mrs. Belle Jacobs and Mrs. Price Markland.
Wirgil Harris was reared and educated in Howard county, Missouri, and afterward removed to Platte county, where he was married in 1885. He had managed the homestead farm for his father until he was twenty-nine years of age, but at the time of his marriage he took up his above upon a farm in Howard county, where he resided for eight years. On the expiration of that period he came to Atchison county, in 1892, and purchased the farm upon which he yet resides. He has erected a commodious residence and has made many substantial improvements, including the planting of orchard and shade trees. His property will now compare favorably with any farm in the township. He is living a contented and happy life uiwn his place, his time being occupied with the care, supervision and iml)movement of his land.
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As printed in A biographical history of Nodaway and Atchison counties, Missouri; (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
IRGIL B. HARRIS, farmer, of Lincoln township, Atchison county, Missouri, was born
V in Howard county, Missouri, Dec. 30th, 1856. He is a son of Thomas B. and Margaret D. Harris and is tenth in a family of fourteen children. He lived on his parents’ farm until in his 29th year, when he began farming for himself. He came to Atchison county in October, 1891, from the county of his birth, and bought 190 acres of fine land in section 30, township 66, range 39, five miles north of Tarkio. This farm is well improved and Mr. Harris has a nice home. In size the house is 32x32 feet and is of 1% stories. There is also on the premises a barn, granary, shed 26x40 feet; cattle shed. 1 6x42 feet; cribs, tank house and smoke house, scales, etc. A complete system supplies water at the house, barn and all parts of the premises. There is also an orchard of three or four acres. Mr. Harris markets about two cars of fat cattle and three cars of hogs each year. His possessions are wholly the result of his own accomplishments, and he certainly deserves much credit.
On. Feb. 8th, 1885, Mr. Harris and Miss May Lott were united in marriage in Platte county, Missouri. Mrs. H harris is a daughter of Fountain P. and Elizabeth Lott and is sixth in a family of ten children. To Mr. and Mrs. Harris were born three children — Thomas Lott, born June 21, 1889; Virgil, born Aug., 1895; Vodrae, born June 12, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are members of the first Baptist church at Tarkio, and Mr. Harris is a director of that organization. He is a neighbor of the Modern Woodmen camp at Tarkio and a member of the I. 0. 0. F. at Westboro. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a director in his school district and Treasurer of the Tarkio Mutual Telephone
Co. No. 3.
As printed in Biographical history: Atchison County, Missouri (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1905. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.