My Genealogy Hound

JAMES HARBISON. A beautiful and well-improved farm comprising one hundred and fifty-six acres in Cedarville and Miami Townships, Greene County, is the home of the gentleman above named, who has since his thirteenth year been a resident of this State. He was born in Chester District, S. C., near the Catawba River, and with his parents left his native State October 9, 1826, for a home north of the Ohio River. Their journey was made in a covered wagon and six weeks were consumed on the road, their arrival at their destination being on November 26. Settlement was made on Clark’s Run in Miami Township, where Robert B. Harbison now lives, and where the parents of our subject spent the remainder of their lives.

The paternal grandparents of our subject were James and Elizabeth (McElroy) Harbison, the latter of whom was a native of Virginia and the former of Ireland, and of Scotch descent. After their marriage they made their home in South Carolina, where both died. There their son John was born during the Revolution, February 27, 1782, his death taking place just after the opening of the Civil War, in April, 1861. His wife was Jane, daughter of James Bigham, who emigrated from Ireland to the United States and died in North Carolina. Mrs. John Harbison survived her husband’s death two years. The subject of this sketch now has a Bible in which the family record is kept, the volume being one hundred and thirty-two years old, printed in Old English and having been brought from Ireland by his grandfather.

The youth and early manhood of James Harbison were passed at the parental home in Miami Township. He was married to Miss Sarah Miller, who died leaving one child, who died a few days later. He subsequently, in 1852, became the husband of Miss Margaret, daughter of John and Helen (Aird) King, her father being a son of Mark King of Jedbury, Scotland. When our subject and his wife began housekeeping they occupied his brother’s house, and they then built a log cabin in the woods a short distance north of where they now live. In 1876, Mr. Harbison bought the piece of land adjoining his place of residence and erected a fine large frame house, facing the Clifton and Xenia Pike. Here he has since made his home, thoroughly cultivating the fine land which he owns, securing a comfortable maintenance for his family, and living an upright and useful life in the midstof his fellowmen. The farm is now carried on by his only child, John A. Harbison, and the parents are enjoying the rest which should follow industrious aud well-spent lives.

Mr. and Mrs. Harbison having but one child, have reared an orphan whom they took to their home when she was five years of age. Miss Maud Harbison, whose surname by birthright was Imboden, is now a young lady and is greatly loved by the family and respected by all who know her. The son of our subject married Miss Ella Reid, who died December 8, 1887, and after her death he returned to his father’s home. His wife was daughter of John and Hannah Reid and a cousin of Whitelaw Reid, whose name is so well known throughout our country, and whose fame as a journalist has extended to other lands. Her father lost his life during the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Harbison are members of Dr. Morton’s church, the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Although he was brought up to believe in the principles of Democracy, Mr. Harbison has been a Republican for the past thirty years.