Sept. 4, 1910
 

The Harrison Reunion

    "Judge Bazel Harrison and family settled in Prairie Ronde Nov. 5, 1828, being the first white family to settle in the area now known as Kalamazoo County, his nearest neighbors at that time on White Pigeon Prairie were three or four families who had located there.  A little more than a year later three cousins of the Judge came to Michigan and settled on the prairie, but they remained only a short time and made final location near the northern part of Wakeshma township.  The names of these cousins were Alec Harrison, Joseph Harrison and Betsy Harrison Soule.  The Harrisons came of sturdy and patriotic ancestors.

    Judge Bazel Harrison was of a family of 23 children, six of whom fought in the Revolutionary War under General Washington.  His uncle was the father of William Henry Harrison, and was one of the signers of The Declaration of Independence.

    The Judge himself was the father of 17 children ____ ____ ____ mentioned.  ____ above were parents of large families.  Those descendants living in the east part of the county met in reunion on Labor Day 1910, at which time 57 members of the family were present.  They had an enjoyable time and resolved to meet again in another year and invite the members of the family living in the west part of the county to join them.  A short notice of the meeting was printed in the Schoolcraft Express in early August and the results show the wonderful advertising power of the paper.  On Labor Day Sept. 4 ____ there met in reunion at Indian Lake no less than 206 persons.  All were descendants of the 5 families mentioned at the head of this article, unless we except those of the family of Joseph Harrison Jr. a nephew of Judge Harrison and who settled in south Climax in 1837.  Your Correspondent has no record of his descendants other than Mrs. Wm. Longman whose name appears on the list that follows.

    The day was perfect and most came on the early trains and remained until night and yet they found the time all too short in which to get acquainted with each other, in fact it will require several of these reunions to get this great family familiar enough with each other that they can call all by name and locate them.

    Never such a jolly and happy crowd collected and where there was more questioning as to name, pedigree, and location than here.

    Little groups could be seen here and there and the whole topic of their conversation was to learn the name of each one and to what branch of the Harrison family they belonged, for many had met for the first time and some had not known even of  the existence of the other.  By the time one group had gotten themselves "straight" another would get together where the same process would be repeated and long before one had made the rounds of the big crowd he had forgotten all that had been told him at the first and the process of getting "straightened" would all have to be gone over again.  It was a day for visiting surely and was surpassed only by one event of the day, and that was the bountiful spread  on the tables at noon.  Mr. Editor, it would have made you happy and "full" to have been there and in appreciation of your kindness in printing this article, you and your wife are hereby invited to attend our next reunion and see for yourself just how good the cooks are that belong to the Harrison family.

    There was some disappointment that that more of the family were not present, but efforts were made to organize the reunion that due notice would be given all another year.  It was decided to make the reunion a regular annual event and to meet each time at Indian Lake on Labor Day.

    The following set of officers were elected, Geo. G. Crose, Schoolcraft, President; Jerry Roe, Climax, Vice President; Eli Harrison, Fulton, Treasurer; Table Committee: Ida Lawrence, Climax; Grace Harrison, Fulton; Mrs. W. Soule, Addie Harrison, Marcia Harrison, and Lucinda Harrison, all from Scotts.

    Money was provided for the proper advertising of the next meeting and the slogan for next Labor Day is to have a meeting 500 strong.  An effort was made to secure a list of all present at the reunion and to list them under each of the 5 original settlers named above.  The following is the list of those present, with excuses for errors that would certainly creep in when so many strangers got together for the first time.

Descendants of Judge Bazel Harrison:
Owen Harrison, wife and boy [Ida (Shirley) Harrison and son Clare S. Harrison, compiler's grandfather], Mr. and Mrs. Hebert Nesbitt and two children, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Rosen and child, Mrs. Hattie Kline, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. G. Crose, Mr. and Mrs. Parker Purcel, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Harrison and son Mack, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Crose, Mrs. Emma Longwell, all of Schoolcraft.  Mrs. Alma Gill of White Pigeon, Owen Longwell of Battle Creek, Mr. and Mrs. Orla Weaver, Galesburg, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Harrison of Charlotte, and Mr. and Mrs. John Harrison, Ella Harrison, Minnie Reece and Vivian Reece of Climax-3

Descendants of Betsy Harrison-Soule:
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Soule, Grace Soule, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Simmons all of Scotts, Lizzie Snyder and Charles Snyder of Climax, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Soule of Vicksburg-9

Descendants of Joseph Harrison:
Mrs. Jack Harrison, Lorenzo Harrison, and wife, Wayne Harrison, Chart Harrison and wife, Eugene Butler and wife, Deo Roe and wife, Zenas Johnson and wife,  Forest Roe, Jack Harrison, Robert Harrison, Joseph and Lura Hendrickson all of Scotts.  Mrs. Lois Reams, Frank Reams, 267 Manchester Ave. Battle Creek, Geo. Harrison and wife, Cleo Harrison 22 Newark Ave. Battle Creek, ____ Rogers and wife, Vide Harrison and wife, Martin Harrison and wife, Dorothy Harrison, A. M. and Pearl Osborn, Millie and Roy Davis all of Climax.  Daniel Chamberlain, East Leroy. J. F. Harrison and wife, Burmaid [sic, should be Brunella/Burnella, wife of Joseph Cassius Harrison, Uncle Billy's grandson.] Harrison, M. V. Roe, Chas. Roe and wife, Geo. W. Roe and wife, Mrs. and Mrs. Warren Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bailey, Bertha Adams, Mary Goldie, Sylvia and Solomon Bastian of Vicksburg, Jason Harrison and wife and son Aaron of Fulton.

Descendants of Aleck Harrison:
Melvin Selby and wife, Leah Selby, Eli Harrison and wife, Orlin Harrison and wife, Ivan Harrison of Fulton, Viola Harrison, Pearl Collins, Carl Collins, "Jute" Harrison and wife, Dennis Harrison and wife, Dallas Harrison and wife, Denver Harrison and wife, Nettie, Roy and Wesley Middaugh, Hiram, Wilbur, Howard and Alex Roe and wives, Mr. and Mrs. Art Gould, Mr. and Mrs. Perry Harrison, Harold and Scott Harrison, Carrie, John and Merle Fenwick, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Snyder, Mrs. Margaret Van D'Bogart, Fred, Iola and Miss Margaret D' Bogart, C, H. Roe and wife, Maude Geddings, Ernest, Lorine,, William, Ruth, Eva, Grace, Sherm, Harry, Neva, Fred, Francis, and Wesley Roe, Clarence Piece, Willis Lawrence and wife, Otis Selby [sic; Selbee] and wife, all of Climax, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Cummings, Moville, Ia., Henry Selby [sic; Selbee] and wife, Wayne and Meda Selby [sic; Selbee], Barney and Neva Blair, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Roe all of Scotts; Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Titus 1306 Buchanan St.  Ft. Wayne, In., Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Selby [sic; Selbee] and Arthur Selby [sic; Selbee] of 155 Battle Creek Ave., Battle Creek, also Lottie, Claude and Ivian Wheeler and Dorothy and Oakley Howe of Battle Creek, but no street number given.-87

    The following came at noon from the east Wm. Longman and wife, Hiram and Margaret Bailey, M. H. and Mary Arnold, Ernie and Francis Roe, Grace and Florence Roe, Mrs. Maude Giddings and children, all of Climax.  Wm. Bonnie, Scotts, and the following no post office given; Mr. Sumner, Mrs. Ellens, Mort Harrison, Donna Harrison and Neva Blair.-20

                                                                                        Total 206
 
 

Newspaper Report ____ by Scott Harrison"

Harrison-Selby-Roe Family Reunion

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    Yourself and family are cordially invited  and urged to attend this annual function, that occurs at Indian Lake on Labor Day, September 2, 1912.  Indian Lake is located on the Chicago & Grand Trunk Ry., three miles east of Vicksburg, Mich., and all local trains stop at Lemon Park.  The table committee have arranged for a picnic dinner, tables to be furnished by the Park.  Each family is requested to furnish eatables for their own party (and just a little for the other fellow.)  Those coming  by team should drive direct to Lemon's landing.  Those coming from a distance should arrive the Saturday preceding at Climax or Schoolcraft; if such will notify one of the Committee, we will meet them at train and arrange for accommodations over Sunday.  If you cannot possibly attend this year, write and so advise us, addressing the Secretary.  Please come and make this the happiest day of the year.

        GEO. G. CROSE, President, Schoolcraft, Mich.
                        JERRY ROE, Vice President, Climax, Mich.
                                   W. L. LAWRENCE, Secretary, Climax, Mich."

Newspaper clipping (date 1912 handwritten above the clipping) from the Vicksburg Commercial:

    "Labor day was the date and lemon park, Indian lake was the place where assembled the largest number of relatives that probably ever got together in this state at one time.  The occasion was the second annual reunion of the Harrison family.  Indian lake is ideally located  for a meting of this kind as the morning trains bring the people together a little after 8 in the morning and carry them to their homes about 6 p.m.

    But the longest day is altogether too short for the visiting and getting acquainted with relatives one never saw before and in renewing acquaintances that had been broken for years.  The writer recalls meeting one old gentleman if asked if he had met his wife and on being told that he had not, he hurried off and brought back his wife, who proved to have been a pupil of the writer more than forty years before.  This was only one of the similar renewals of Auld Lang Syne, that were constantly occurring.

    Too much praise cannot be given Mr. Lemon for his efforts to care for the crowd.  he had been advised to expect more than last year and when the tables were set there were more still needed and many more were improvised, and when all sat down it was a sight worth seeing, 352 sat at the table at one time; all relatives.  What other family can equal it?  And when the afternoon trains came in there were enough belated relatives to make 402 entitled to be termed members of the reunion.  While at the tables the announcement was made that the late Judge Bazel Harrison was laid to rest in the Harrison cemetery on Sept. 1 1874 and this was the 38th anniversary of his burial.  Let us cherish the hope that his shade was permitted to look down on that assembled party of descendants and as his followers are proud of him, why should he not glory in the hearty men, lovely women and beautiful children?  Pardon us if we boast a little for we are proud of our relatives and are glad to make that fact known.  And what cooks those Harrison women are, the heart of an epicure would have swelled with joy not only at the quality but the quantity with which the tables were loaded and it was none too much for the Harrison clan are hearty people though it must be confessed that it took a supper to finally clear the food away.

    Six states were represented at the gathering.  The largest single parties were a party of 7 from Sioux City, Ia.; a party of 11 from Wisconsin; and 2 from northern Illinois, the last two parties being descendants of nathan Harrison, a son of Judge Bazel Harrison.  Mrs. Ceola Kelley of Milwaukee brought a reminder of olden times in the way of a sampler, the linen for which was spun by the wife of the late Judge Bazel Harrison when they were young married people and lived in the state of Pennsylvania.  The work was executed by a young lady friend, Mary Ann Wilson.  It is a beautiful work of art and bears the makers name and the date 1808.  Mr. Theodore Titus, of Fort Wayne, was there with his wife and he claims the honor of having started the notion of a family reunion by getting a few of his immediate family together each year for an annual dinner.  He is a member of the Harrison family of course and we gladly accord him all honor for his inspiration.

    The oldest relative present was Mrs. America Chipman of Galesburg, Mich., she being past 85 years of age.  The oldest from a distance was Mr. Charles Harrison, 78 years old, a son of Nathan Harrison.  "Uncle Doc," as everybody calls him is coming to the next reunion if alive.  George M. Harrison and family of 7 motored from Paw Paw; Mr. Harrison is the youngest and 13th of the children of Benjamin Harrison who lived in Kalamazoo in its earliest days and run a ferry across the river of Kalamazoo.  Benjamin was a brother of Judge Bazel Harrison, both being nephews of Benjamin Harrison one of the signers of the Declaration of independence and cousins of the first President Harrison [this should be George M. Harrison son of Benjamin A. Harrison, Benjamin A. Harrison the son of Joseph and Bathsheba Harrison; it was Nathan Harrison, Bazel Harrison's son who ran a ferry across the Kalamazoo River].  The relatives from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois wore red badges  with white letters indicating the state  from which they came and were so attractive that a vote was taken and the money raised to provide each relative who attends next year with a button with the name Harrison on it.  It was decided to hold the next reunion at Indian lake on Labor day 1913.

    The officers elected for the coming year are George G. Crose, Schoolcraft, president; Jerry Roe, Climax, vice-president; Perry Harrison, Fulton, treasurer; Willis Lawrence, Climax, secretary.

    The following ladies were elected as table committee: Ida Lawrence, Climax; Grace Harrison, Fulton; Mrs. W. Soule, Addie Harrison, Marcia Harrison and Lucinda Roe, all of Scotts.

    At near 6 o'clock the great party of relatives broke ranks, all voting a glorious time, the day too short and with the slogan to make the next reunion fully 500 strong."

THIS LARGE FAMILY HELD THEIR
FIFTH BIG ANNUAL REUNION AT LEMON PARK, INDIAN
LAKE, LAST MONDAY,
SEPTEMBER 7TH

    "The Fifth Annual Reunion of the Harrison-Selbee-Roe family took place at Lemon Park, Indian lake, on Labor day, September 7th, 1914.  Arrangements were made with the Grand Trunk Railway to run a special train in the morning, returning in the evening to accommodate those from Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Climax, Scotts and other points.  The day was fair and attendance good, although not as large as last year.

    The first thing on the program was a ball game among the relatives.  Although some of the players were past their best days as ball players, much interest was manifested and the excitement ran high during the game.  The game was to be five innings, but was tied in the fifth inning, causing an extra inning.

    After the game a picnic dinner was served the tables being furnished by the ground owner for the occasion.  It is estimated that over 300 people sat at this one long table besides other tables at different places on the grounds.

    President Jesse M. Crose called for order and the minutes were read by the secretary, Willis L. Lawrence.  The election of officers for the ensuing year then took place, with the following results:--

    Jesse M. Crose, president; Joseph Harrison, vice-president; Willis L. Lawrence, secretary; Perry Harrison, treasurer.

    The music was furnished by the Schoolcraft band which gave excellent satisfaction.

    Owing to the ball game between Sco-Max and Vicksburg in the afternoon some of the scheduled sports for the day were eliminated, but next year the grounds have been secured for this purpose alone and will be devoted to the reunion sports only.  A good program will be arranged.

    During the afternoon over 280 placed their names on the register book, over 400 registered last year, but this was owing to the fact that last year the secretary tried to see that as many as possible registered, while this year it was left to their convenience.

    One of the most interesting and enjoyable instances of the reunion was to have in their midst, Mrs. Joel Roe, (better known as Aunt Polly).  This grand old lady, who has passed her 101st birthday and the oldest living of the Harrison-Roe-Selbee family  ___  on the grounds the biggest part of the day, greeting her old relatives whom she had known for so many years.  Aunt Polly was born in Randolf county, Ind., March 5, 1813.  Her intellect is excellent and last winter her eyesight was good enough so that she sewed carpet rags for a carpet and threaded her own needle without the aid of glasses.  She is in good health, her memory is good and is very active for a person along in years.

    Following is a list of the names of the ones who registered, coming here from a distance, many others being there who did not register:

    P.E. Sager and wife, Chas. Harrison, Gladys Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Harrison, Bertha Anderson and   Chas. Anderson of Union City, Mich.

    Mrs. M.A. Grosskurze, Three Rivers, Mich.
    Mr. and Mrs. Harlie Rice, Kent City, Mich.
    Herbert Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Ducas and Mr. Chas. Sharp, of Athens, Mich.
    Myron Sharp, Grand Rapids, Mich.
    Mr. and Mrs. W.N. Tupper, of Niles, Mich.
    Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Titus, of Fort Wayne, Ind.
    Mr. and Mrs. Edward Elwell, of Detroit, Mich.
    Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Harrison, of Waukegan, Ill.
    Mr. Fred Harrison, Leeds, Iowa.
    Mr. Russell Harrison, Hinton, Iowa.
    Mrs. Isabel Winans, Mr. Raymond Winans, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Archie, Mr. Ike Archie, Mr. Floren Archie,
    Miss Mary Hendricks and Mrs. Rolla Appockoff, of Decatur, Ind.

    Mr. and Mrs. Fred Roe, Monroe, Ind.
    Mr. and Mrs. Fred Burgett, Genoa Junction, Wis.
    Mr. and Mrs. Wm. D. Roe, Miss Helen Arker and Zenas Johnson of Decatur, Ill.

    The committee hopes that next year more interest will be taken in registering."

Photographs and previous articles were contributed by Marie Mackey, Jan Getz, Justin Herbst and Julie Akin.