George M. Harris, Huntsville, Madison Co., Alabama
 
Source: Dictionary Of Alabama Biography (p. 752)

GEORGE M. HARRIS. Physician, planter and cotton manufacturer, was
born July 11, 1820, in Madison County; son of Frank E. and Mahala
(Isbell) Harris, natives of Virginia, the latter born in Appomattox
County in 1800, and came to Alabama when nine years of age, his
parents settling four miles north of Huntsville, removing later to
Jackson County; grandson of Richard Harris, a captain in the
Continental Army, who served with General Washington during the
Revolutionary struggles, removed to Alabama and died in Huntsville,
aged ninety-four.  Dr. Harris was brought up on his father's farm and
received the exceptionally good educational advantages afforded at
Huntsville at that time.  He read medicine under his uncle, dr.
George R. Wharton, and graduated from the Louisville medical college,
Louisville, Ky., in 1842.  He located in Bellefonte, Jackson County,
where he entered upon the practice of his profession.  Having a
liking for agricultural life he began to acquire land, and soon owned
extensive planting interests, both in Alabama and Arkansas, together
with slaves and equipment to properly conduct the business. He
established a tannery, opened a mercantile business and manufactured
leather goods for local consumption.  In 1857 he returned to Madison
County, and assisted in the industrial affairs of Huntsville.  He was
president of the first cotton factories established there after the
war, and was organizeer and director in the electric light company of
that city.  His last commercial activity was the hardware business.
Last residence: Huntsville.

Ira L. Harris III
Evansville, Indiana