My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM HARRIS, a native of Clermont County, Ohio, was born March 19, 1826, being the youngest but one in a family of twelve children, born to Henry and Hannah (Hendrickson) Harris, both of whom were natives of New Jersey. His early education was obtained in the country schools of his boyhood days, and at fifteen years of age he started out in life for himself as a farm hand. August 20, 1849, Sarah Jane Perry became his wife, and by him the mother of ten children, as follows: Perry W., Lydia Ann, Maria Catharine, Sarah Jane, Henry Andrew, Hannah Elizabeth, Stephen Douglass, Nancy Melvina, Cornelius H. and Clarence Sherman. Of those the first, second, fifth, sixth and eighth are dead. At the time he started out in life for himself Mr. Harris was a poor boy. He came to Spencer County, Ind., in 1853, and settled one mile north of the present site of Chrisney. He has here identified himself with all the charitable and benevolent institutions of the day and by industry and integrity has secured a valuable tract of land, comprising 320 acres. He has served his township in the capacity of Trustee with credit, is a member of the I. O. O. F. and F. & A. M., and Mrs. Harris belongs to the Baptist Church. Mr. Harris is well posted on the general topics of the day. He is a close student of the Bible, believing in the benefit of churches as great moral institutions, but does not fully accept the Bible as a Divine revelation.