My Genealogy Hound

William C. Harris, farmer and miller, Harrisburg, Ark. Worthy reference to the agricultural affairs of Poinsett County would be incomplete without due mention of Mr. Harris, among others engaged in tilling the soil, for he is not only prominent in that respect, but, as a citizen and neighbor, is held in the highest esteem. His birth occurred in Poinsett County, Ark., on the 21st of July, 1843, and he is the eldest of eleven children, eight now living, born to Benjamin and Martha (Thomas) Harris, natives, respectively, of Alabama and Kentucky. Benjamin Harris figured prominently in the affairs of both State and county, first being elected to the office of magistrate, then representative, and afterward filled the position of senator. He came to Arkansas with his parents at an early date, and it was for this family that Harrisburg received its name. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, a Democrat in his political principles, and, with his family, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The eight children now living of the eleven born to his marriage are as follows: Schuyler, died at the age of thirty-three years; Addison, sheriff of Poinsett County; Mrs. Elvira Merchant, at Harrisburg; Mrs. Mary Wrice; Benjamin, present senator of the Twenty-ninth district; Sophia, Fanny, Irvin, farmer and merchant; Lee, died in 1888, at the age of twenty-five years, and Mrs. Melvina Perry, at Paragould, Ark. Early in life William C. Harris was taught the principles of farming, and when it became necessary for him to start out in life for himself, he very naturally and wisely chose the occupation to which he had been reared. From that time to the present his success has been such as only a thorough acquaintance with his calling and years of experience might lead him to achieve. His education was received in the common schools of Poinsett County, and in 1862 he enlisted in the army, Company K, Twenty-third Arkansas Cavalry, Adams’ command, and participated in these battles: Iuka, Corinth, Port Hudson, and others of minor note. At the last mentioned place his command was paroled and came home. After this Mr. Harris performed scout duty until the close of the war, when he was mustered out of service, under Col. Lisle, at Wittsburg, in 1865. After the surrender Mr. Harris returned to his farm, and in September of the same year his marriage with Miss Virginia Hays took place. She is the daughter of Henry and Mary (Stencell) Hays, natives of North Carolina, who came here in 1855. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Harris were born the following family: Walter, who died in 1885, at the age of twenty years; Mittie, died in infancy; Melvira, Grace, Willie, died at the age of five years, and Maggie. In 1870 Mr. Harris began opening a tract of land, and now has 140 acres, with forty under cultivation. In addition to this he is senior member of the firm of W. C. Harris & Co., owners of 440 acres of timber land, and the owners also of a saw-mill, cotton-gin and grist mill, with which they do a good business. The mill was established in 1888.