Henry Albert HARRISON was born August 3, 1865, in Saratoga township, within the borders of which he still makes his home, being numbered among the practical, progressive and respected agriculturists of Marshall county. His father, Robert HARRISON, was born near Winchester, Virginia, September 20, 1820, and came to Illinois from the Old Dominion in 1849. For several years he was employed at farm labor in Bureau county, after which he removed to Saratoga township, Marshall county, and took up a farm of eighty acres, which is now a part of the old home place that today covers a quarter section. He acted in various official capacities, to which he was called by his fellow townsmen, who recognized his worth and ability, and his political support was given to the republican party, having firm faith in its principles. He came of an old Virginian family and was a representative of the best type of southern citizenship. His death occurred June 7, 1906, and the community mourned the loss of one of its leading men. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth KLINE, was a native of Pennsylvania, and they were married in Saratoga township. She passed away October 28, 1905, and they were laid to rest in Saratoga cemetery. In the family were five children: John Robert, who is now engaged in the real-estate business in Spencer, Iowa; Ellen, who is keeping house for her brother Henry Albert; George, who is living at Castleton, Stark county, Illinois; Elizabeth, also on the home place; and Henry A., of this review.
In taking up the personal history of Mr. HARRISON, whose name introduces this record, we present to our readers an account of one who is widely known in Saratoga township, where he has spent his entire life, never leaving the old homestead farm. He was educated in the district schools, and when not occupied with his text-books his time and energies were largely devoted to the tilling of the soil. After completing his education he concentrated his efforts upon the work of developing the home place, and is regarded as one of the practical and progressive agriculturists of this community. His fields return to him golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon them, and he has made many modern improvements on the place.
Politically a republican, he is without aspiration for office. Socially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to Bradford camp. His neighbors and friends speak of him in terms of praise and friendship and he is justly regarded as a man of strong character and high principles. The family was established in this part of Illinois at an early epoch in its history, and the name of HARRISON has since been synonymous here with agricultural progress and with honesty in business life.
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from
Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties
Bureau | Putnam | |
Stark | La Salle | |
Peoria | Woodford |