My Genealogy Hound

JORDAN HARRISS, who for many years was one of the prominent agriculturists of township 5, range 2, Perry County, entered into rest in April, 1874, mourned by a host of old-time friends. His name will live for years in the memory of his associates and the affection of his descendants. Mr. Harriss was born in South Carolina in 1800, and his parents soon afterward removing to Tennessee, he accompanied them thither and lived many years in Bedford County. In his youth he was given a fair education.

Accompanied by his wife, whose maiden name was Lucinda Casey, Mr. Harriss came to Perry County in 1829, and located on Holt’s Prairie, where they reared a family of eight children. Jane, who married Robert Teague, died leaving one son, Marion, who is a Baptist minister at Du Quoin; Johnson C. was also for many years a minister in that church, but is now deceased; Nancy, who married Edmund Dry, resides in this county, and has a family of eight children; John H., the next in order of birth, will be mentioned further on in this sketch; Hiram M. is a merchant at Du Quoin; Marion is also a resident of that place, where he is one of the leading business men; Julia A. is deceased; J. Carroll, a missionary for the Nine Mile Missionary Baptist Church, makes his home in Du Quoin.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Johnson Harriss, was a resident of Virginia prior to his emigration to the Prairie State in 1829. He accompanied the father of our subject hither, and died in this county at the age of ninety-eight years. John H. Harriss, the fourth child of our subject, was born in this county in 1830, and has resided here for sixty-four years. He was given a common-school education, and later aided his father in the care of his farm. Energetically performing his share of the work, he gained a thoroughly practical knowledge of the pursuit of agriculture, and was well fitted at an early age to begin the battle of life.

In 1850 Mr. Harris married Miss Adeline Wilks, who died in 1867. To them were born three children who grew to mature years, as follows: Julia, now Mrs. John D. Strait, who makes her home in Pinckneyville; William W., a farmer of township 5, range 2; and Jennie, now Mrs. W. B. King, also of the above township. In 1868 Mr. Harriss was united in marriage with Miss Luacine, daughter of Carroll Turner, one of the early residents of Perry County. Mr. Harriss and his family are conscientious members of the Baptist Church. Although he pays little attention to politics, he always votes the straight Republican ticket.