Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
JOSEPH M. HARRIS is a farmer
residing three miles southeast of Miles postoffice, Lincoln county, Washington.
He was born July 23, 1864, in Madison county, Indiana, the son of Andrew
and Margaret (Dwiggins) Harris, both of whom are still living in the county
of our subject's birth, in which both were born. Mr. Harris, senior,
has spent his entire life in this county, of which he was at one time the
sheriff.
The brother and sisters of Mr. Harris are:
Thomas, Mrs. Maggie Shell, Mrs. Mrytle Reeder, and Mrs. Bertha Young, all
of Madison county, Indiana.
Joseph M. Harris grew to manhood on a farm
in his native county, receiving a good common school education, and in
March, 1886, went to Columbus, Ohio, and enlisted in the regular army.
His company was sent to Fort Sherman, Idaho, and soon afterward to Fort
Spokane. To the latter fort the company came in July, 1886, remained
there three years when it was again sent to Fort Sherman. After three
months here Mr. Harris was transferred from Company B to Company G, Fourth
Regular Infantry, then stationed at Fort Spokane, and was honorably discharged
March 28, 1891. During his term of enlistment he was engaged in many
skirmishes with the Indians, of which especial mention might be made of
a fight in the Kalispell valley.
Soon after leaving the army he engaged in
work on a farm, and after several years he located a homestead where he
still lives. He also owns a quarter section of land near his homestead.
His land is for the greater part suitable to agriculture, and what is not
Mr. Harris uses for pasture for a small herd of cattle which he owns.
He has his farm well equipped as to buildings, with machinery and horses
sufficient to successfully carry on his business.
On August 13, 1892, occurred the marriage
of Joseph M. Harris and Anna Bockemuehl, the adopted daughter of Barnard
and Anna Bockemuehl, and to this union have been born four children: Margaret,
Bertha, Ellen and Harold.
In fraternity circles Mr. Harris is known
as a member of the Woodmen of the World society.
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