Photo courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst.
Harrison Brothers (1872) taken in Climax, Michigan before heading out for Harrisonville, Iowa. Seated from left to right: Jeremiah "Wig", Alec II, and Ben Harrison. Standing from left to right: Sam, Fred "Keg", Garrett "Jute", and Hiram "Ace" Harrison. Sons of Alexander Jordan Harrison and Elizabeth Jane Roe.
Photo courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst.
(15.8.1) Bershebee Harrison was born on 10 October 1830, in Mill Creek Township, Union County, Ohio, and died on 29 March 1833, in Root Township, Adams County, Indiana. She is buried in Mt. Tabor Cemetery, in Adams County, Indiana.
This photo of Jeremiah and Mary Jane (Titus) Harrison was taken at the time of their wedding in 1854, in Kalamazoo,Michigan. Jane was raised by her husband's grandfather, Jeremiah Roe II, "Wig" was the first son born to Alex I and Bett Roe Harrison.
(15.8.2) Jeremiah "Wig" Harrison, was born on 14 February 1833, in Root Township, Adams County, Indiana, and died on 13 July 1894, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He is buried in Harrison Cemetery, Climax, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He married Mary Jane Titus on 27 July 1854, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Mary Jane was born on 7 May 1834, in Clinton County, Ohio, and died on 5 Dec 1908, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and is buried in Harrison Cemetery, Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Wig remained in Michigan farming. Mary Jane Titus was reared as a daughter by his grandfather, Jeremiah Roe II. Wig went with his father to California, Montana and Iowa. He assisted in the establishment of many of the settlements, and his sons had a Montana and Dodge City settlement.Photo courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst.
(15.8.3) Hannah Harrison was born on 10 November 1834, in Root Township, Adams County, Indiana There is no evidence of Hannah after the 1845 Michigan State Census. A family rumor stated that she was married to a Gage, settled in Indiana and died before 1850.
Elizabeth "Eliffia" and Newton Selbee taken in 1865 in Climax, Michigan.
(15.8.4) Elizabeth "Eliffia" Harrison was born on 27 February 1836, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and died on 22 November 1906, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. She was buried on 25 November 1906, in Harrison Cemetery, Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. On 3 February 1850, she married Newton Titus Selbee in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Newton was born on 29 August 1828, in Clinton Township, Clinton County, Ohio, and died on 14 December 1904, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He was buried on 16 December 1904, in Harrison Cemetery, Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. His parents were Charles Selbee and Martha Farnum. "Eliffia" and Newton Selbee raised their family on their South Climax farm. They reportedly made some of the early westward trips with her father. Newton's older sister, Ursula Jane Selbee was married to Eliffia's grandfather, Jeremiah Roe II, which further complicated relationships. Newton's brother, George W. Selby married Eliffia's aunt and Jeremiah's daughter, Peg. The Selbees were a successful family, and very proud of their Harrison background. Many of Elizabeth's sons were in the Harrisonville settlement, and responsible for pushing the family to create settlements into Saskatchewan, later British Columbia and the final colony in Washington state in 1923 (putting an end to centuries worth of family settlements). The Selbee's youngest son was born disabled and had a series of strokes. Shortly before Eliffia's death she was still carrying her adult son up and down the stairs. Justin Herbst also submitted a photo taken of Elffia and Newton Selbee taken on their 40th wedding anniversary. Eliffia and Newton had 13 children:Photo courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst.
The Selbee family, photo dated 28 August 1904. Standing in the back from right to left are Walter Selbee, DeHart Selbee, Loida "Ida" Selbee Lawrence, Mariam "Mame" Selbee Pierce Cummings, Philip Selbee & Henry Selbee. Front row, from left to right: Newton Selbee, Elizabeth Harrison Selbee and Hiram Selbee (Hiram lived to age 47 and never walked, he died in1924). Photo contributed by Jan Getz. Their children were:
(15.8.4.1)
Alexander Selbee.
(15.8.4.2) Martha Jane Selbee.
(15.8.4.3) Betsey Selbee.
(15.8.4.4) Margaret Maria (Selbee) Buckmaster.
(15.8.4.5) Walter Newell Selbee.
(15.8.4.6) Harrison De Hart Selbee I.
(15.8.4.7) Juliette Judith Selbee.
(15.8.4.8) Metta Ann (Selbee) Selbee.
(15.8.4.9) Phillip Titus Selbee.
(15.8.4.10) Mariam Constance (Selbee) Pierce Cummings.
(15.8.4.11) Henry Newton Selbee.
(15.8.4.12) Loida Mae (Selbee) Lawrence.
(15.8.4.13) Hiram Henry Selbee.
Edna Ann Harrison photo taken in 1899 in Sioux City, Iowa.
(15.8.5) Edna Ann "Ann" Harrison was born on 16 March 1838, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and died on 26 July 1904, in Banner Township, Woodbury County, Iowa. She was buried on 30 July 1904, in Harrison Cemetery, Climax Township, Michigan. On 4 July 1853, she married Eli Orrin Sager (15.1.14), in Kalamazoo County, Michigan (they were divorced in 1876). Eli was born on 21 August 1834, in Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio and died on 14 June 1916, in Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa. He was buried on 16 June 1916, in Graceland Park Cemetery, Sioux City, Iowa. Eli was the son of (15.1) Hannah Rachel Harrison and Frederick John Sager. Edna Ann was a very strong lady. She married her first cousin and this marriage ended in divorce when he married another first cousin. Edna Ann was of the first of the family to move to the Harrisonville settlement. She traveled in 1876, with her younger children, by horse and buggy. Edna Ann fell on hard times after her divorce and her parents left her an extra amount of money. Her siblings were very happy for her, and years later she helped her brother's children, her nieces and nephews financially. Edna Ann's family also helped to settle the Saskatchewan and Colorado settlements. Edna Ann was a very supportive person and able to care for herself, always placing her family first. Edna Ann and Eli had 8 children:Photo courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst
Orrin Mils Sager, taken in Le Mars, Iowa in 1890. Photo courtesy of Justin Herbst.
(15.8.5.1)
Orrin Mils Sager.
(15.8.5.2) Henrietta (Sager) Wright.
(15.8.5.3) Susannah Sager.
(15.8.5.4) Jeremiah Sager.
(15.8.5.5) Celinda Jane (Sager) Dean.
(15.8.5.6) Perry Eli Sager.
(15.8.5.7) Emery Emerson "Doc" Sager.
(15.8.5.8) Irene Jeannette-May (Sager) Harrison.
(15.8.6) Emily Jane Harrison born on 24 November 1839, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and died on 22 February 1844 in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. She is buried in Harrison Cemetery, Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.
This photo was taken in 1872, at the same time Alex and Bett's sons posed for their group portrait. Pictured: Elizabeth "Eliffia" Harrison Selbee, Margaret "Marg" Harrison Van De Bogart (standing), and Edna Ann "Ann" Harrison Sager. These photos were taken to commemorate the expansion of the Harrisonville settlements. This was the last year all of the children lived in Michigan permanently, after this photo several of the sons lived transient lives. Keg and Sam were of the first to move to Iowa, it was their first cousin, Galen Soule, who moved here in 1868. Photo courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst.
(15.8.7) Margaret "Marg" Harrison was born on 27 November 1841, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and died on 5 June 1917, in Fulton, Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. She was buried on 7 June 1917, in Harrison Cemetery, Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. She married James Albert Van De Bogart on 2 July 1859, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. James was born on 25 August 1839, in Liberty, Jackson County, Michigan, and died on 4 March 1911, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He was buried on 8 June 1911, in Harrison Cemetery, Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. James was the son of James John Van De Bogart and Charlotte Williams. Marg and James settled on a farm near her parents' farm. He was a farmer and she followed in her mother's footsteps as a healer and midwife. The Van De Bogart's suffered many hardships, many of their children died of consumption. Marg blamed herself because she was treating so many sick folks. She visited the Harrisonville settlement, and because so many of her family had health problems also assisted in establishing the Colorado settlement, as well as the Backus, Minnesota, Saskatchewan, and Washington State settlements. The Van De Bogart's were noted for their wonderful fur coats they would wear when traveling. Interestingly, Marg's home-made honey and cures were highly sought by the family when they made their trips westward. Marg and James had 11 children:
(15.8.7.1)
Charlotte Elizabeth Van De Bogart Roe.
(15.8.7.2) James Benjamin Van De Bogart.
(15.8.7.3)
Orpha Ann (Van De Bogart) Ford.
(15.8.7.4) Agnes Irene (Van De Bogart) Overholt.
(15.8.7.5)
Betsey Miranda (Van De Bogart) Fenwick.
(15.8.7.6)
Fred United States Van De Bogart.
(15.8.7.7)
John Leonard Van De Bogart.
(15.8.7.8)
Dora Lorain (Van De Bogart) Fenwick.
(15.8.7.9)
Lora Lorette Van De Bogart.
(15.8.7.10)
Herbert Alexander Van De Bogart.
(15.8.7.11)
Harvey Lincoln Van De Bogart.
(15.8.8) Alexander Jordan "Alec" Harrison II was born on 28 June 1843, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and died on 18 May 1922, in Banner Township, Woodbury County, Iowa. He was buried on 20 May 1922, in Lincoln Township Cemetery, Hinton, Plymouth County, Iowa. He married Mary Em "Mary" Roe on 14 February 1864, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Mary Em Roe was born on 18 January 1846, in Root Township, Adams County, Indiana, and died on 12 January 1909, in Banner Township, Woodbury County, Iowa. She is also buried in Lincoln Township Cemetery. Mar Em Roe was the daughter of of Jeremiah "Mize" Roe III and Polly Hill. Alec and Mary Em Roe were first cousins. Mary Em's father, and Alec's mother were brother and sister. Alec can best be described as determined, feisty and loyal. He did everything his way. His wife, Mary Em, was much the same. Alec was so disappointed with his first cousin and brother-in-law, Eli Sager, at the news of Eli and Edna Ann's divorce, that he did not speak to Eli for twenty years. Alec traveled as a young man with his father, brothers and cousins. They would wander for months at a time. Alec moved his wife and sons to the Hinton (Harrisonville), Iowa settlement in 1874. He and his family lived in his brother, Keg's cave until they established a homestead. In 1880, Alec moved a few miles south into Banner Township, Woodbury County, Iowa and expanded the Harrisonville settlement into the next county. The same year, Alec, along with his (with child), and many other relatives explored the Texas settlement. The trip was much of a failure due to drought conditions, and if it had not been for a former slave family who took the Harrisons in as fellow share-croppers, times would have been even more difficult (they could have gotten financial assistance from Alex I, but they liked to push the limits of survival). Mary Em had their third and last child on 23 August 1881, in Big Creek, Kansas enroute to Michigan. The family returned to Harrisonville, and Mary Em said she would never leave the place again. Alec made a trek with sons and other family into Missouri in 1892, and Mary did move, she was true to her word. The men soon returned. In 1903, Alec led his brothers and nephews to Redmond, Oregon to look at creating a settlement, the family traveled to California and Washington at the same time. Mary Em died in 1909, and Alec did not mellow he continued to be a strict patriarch. He provided very well for his family and spent much of his later years between Iowa and Michigan. He helped to push the family into the Saskatchewan settlement in 1909-1910, yet Alec had not gotten the idea of Oregon/Washington out of his mind and made an attempt in 1916. He returned to Iowa, where he died on May 18th, 1922. The children of Alec and Mary Em Roe were:
(15.8.8.1)
Oscar Harrison
(15.8.8.2) Lafayette Harrison
(15.8.8.3) Maggie Roesannah (Harrison) Richardson
(15.8.9) Benjamin Carter Harrison was born 27 June 1846, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and died on 27 July 1892, in Clarenda, Page County, Iowa. He was buried on 30 July 1892, in Lincoln Township Cemetery, Hinton, Plymouth County, Iowa. Ben Harrison was an adventurous fellow. He was brilliant, and held many patents, however he was wild and unpredictable. He bet two of his farms in a wrestling match in the Harrisonville settlement and his brother Keg won the match (Keg was the wrestler) and Ben kept his farms and won the bet. Ben and his first wife, Josie divorced in 1876, and so their son, Cilbert, was raised by his grandparents for many years. Cilbert learned magic tricks and to play the banjo thanks to his grandpa Alex I (Cilbert traveled in the family entertainment act from 1880-1900, known as the Matterhorn). Cilbert adored his grandmother, Bett, and had wonderful tales of her strength and convictions. Ben was a wanderer, and the Harrisons had another family that they feuded with, known as the Greens (from Indiana). One wild night, the Green boys beat Ben so severely that he was rushed home to his mother's care and nearly died. Ben never fully recovered from the headaches and had many other ailments. Ben had gone from one family settlement to another Harrisonville, Iowa; Hill City, South Dakota; and Dodge City, Kansas, but after this he and Cilbert and second wife moved to Hinton, Iowa. Under Ben's care, Harrisonville really began to prosper, and he started the family cemetery (Harrison Cemetery), which later became known as the Lincoln Township Cemetery. He added a general store, bakery, mail service, a patent shop, a huge farming operation with homes for the families to reside in, and finally a horse race track also used for other sporting events. Ben's second wife and daughter died while Ruth was giving birth. Ben married Lillie Dean, and she was also very helpful in contributing to the Harrisonville settlement. They made frequent trips to Michigan, and Ben also went along on the Texas adventure. This was a very bleak experience, and as a thank you to the black share croppers who took the Harrison's in, Ben moved the share croppers to Harrisonville and helped to establish households the following year. Signs of Ben's earlier head trauma began to show up again. He became completely irrational, and desperate. The last years of his life he was blind and unable to function mentally. He died in June 1892, and the family decided to continue to build the family settlements in his honor. He married (1st) Josephine Joan Ainsworth on 12 February 1865, in Kalamazoo County, Michigan (they were divorced in 1876). "Josie" was born in 1848, in New York, and died on 19 June 1880, in Exector, Fillimore County, Nebraska. Ben and Josie had 1 child:Benjamin Carter Harrison pictured on his wedding day in June 1880, with his third wife, Lillian "Lillie" Dean. Photo courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst.
(15.8.9.1) Cilbert Wyman Harrison
Benjamin Carter Harrison married (2nd) Ruth Culvertson
on 31 January 1879, in Athens, Calhoun County, Michigan. Ruth was
born in 1861, in Bristol, Indiana, and died April in 1880, Hinton, Lincoln
Township, Plymouth County, Iowa. Ruth is buried in Lincoln Township
Cemetery, in Hinton, Plymouth County, Iowa.
Ben and Ruth had 1 child:
(15.8.9.2) Ruth Elizabeth Harrison
He married (3rd) Lillian Dean born on 19 June 1880, in Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa She was born on 13 October 1865, in Cedar Rapids, Johnson County, Iowa. Lillian died on 22 April 1902, in Banner Township, Woodbury County, Iowa. She was buried on 24 April 1902, in Lincoln Township Cemetery, in Hinton, Iowa. Lillian was the daughter of Samuel W. Dean and Catherine Jane Roe ("Jane" sister of Lucretia Roe Harrison (wife of 15.10 Fred Harrison), and the niece of Lydia Ann Roe (wife of 15.4. Joseph Harrison II). Ben and Lillie had 2 children:
(15.8.9.3)
Bert Benjamin Harrison I
(15.8.9.4)
Orphelia Jane "Orpha" (Harrison) Rinehart
(15.8.10) Columbus Harrison was born on 20 March 1847 and died on 10 April 1848, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and is buried in Harrison Cemetery, Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.
(15.8.11) Charles M. Harrison was born on 4 March 1849 and died on 20 September 1849, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and is buried in Harrison Cemetery, Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.
Photos courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst
Fred "Keg" Harrison photo taken in 1880, at LeMars, Iowa. "Keg" at age twenty-nine, Harrisonville took further root this year when Keg's brother, Ben, began Harrisonville headquarters in Section 27. On the right, photo of Keg's wife, Celia Elsie (Calkins) Harrison taken in 1880.
(15.8.12) Fred "Keg" Harrison, was born on 4 November 1850, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and died on 12 August 1925, in Leeds, Woodbury County, Iowa. He was buried on 15 August 1925, in Lincoln Township Cemetery, Hinton, Plymouth County, Iowa. He married Celia Elsie Calkin on. 24 December 1878, in Lincoln Township, Plymouth County, Hinton, (Harrisonville) Iowa. Celia was born on 22 July 1857, in Brady Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and died on 8 Dec 1932, Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa. She is also buried in Lincoln Township Cemetery. Ceilia was the daughter of of Ashael Calkins and Rhoda Ann Radford. Fred earned the nickname "Keg" when he lifted beer kegs over his head as a young man. He followed in his father's footsteps and served as the strong man in traveling shows. He was always level headed. He did not gamble, drink, smoke, or swear, however, he accompanied his brothers, cousins and nephews who were prone to the saying if it feels good do it. Keg was the heart of the family, and he kept the family balanced. He served the same role as his parents had to the Harrison family. Keg was very instrumental in founding and settling the Harrisonville settlement. The cave he constructed in Harrisonville housed up to 50 relatives. This cave was constructed in 1874, and still in use into the winter of 1914, when Fred U.S. Van De Bogart stayed there. Keg was a successful farmer. He cared for all of his uncle Fred and Aunt Lou's family, even raising their son, Jeremiah. Uncle Fred had had health problems and this family would not have been able to survive without the help of Alex I and his family. Keg, was especially helpful to them and they never forgot his kindness. Keg and wife, Celia worked well together as a team. They were soul mates. The death of their first child was a terrible tragedy. Joel was born healthy, and the mid-wife's knife slipped during the delivery, piercing the baby's head and killing him. Keg knew that Celia would be tormented, so he forgave the mid-wife, and Celia never told her what happened. This was the only secret he kept from her and it weighed heavy on him, the rest of the family kept their promise of silence. Keg was instrumental in putting the family reunions together and it was his project to record much of the family history and compile a book with photos for the 1912 reunion. Celia sent the trunks of the original documents to Keg's niece, Carrie Harrison Fenwick. Due to Keg's efforts many family treasures have been preserved. Fred and Celia had 3 children:
(15.8.12.1)
Joel Harrison
(15.8.12.2) Victor Olan Harrison
(15.8.12.3) Russell Dunham Harrison
(15.8.13) Garrett "Jute" Harrison was born on 13 May 1853, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and died on 10 June 1918, in Craik, Saskatchewan, Canada. He is buried in Harrison Cemetery, Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He married Martha Jane "Mattie" Roe on 1 June 1873, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. "Mattie" was born on 31 August 1855, in Root Township, Adams County, Indiana. She died on 24 January 1918, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and was buried in Harrison Cemetery, Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Mattie was the daughter of of Joel Roe and Mary "Polly" Odle. Jute and Mattie were cousins. Joel was the uncle of Jute's mother, Bett Roe Harrison. Joel was also the brother of Lydia Roe Harrison (wife of (15.4) Joseph Harrison II). Jute was easy-going, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and exploring America with his father and brothers. Jute and Keg had many similarities, and somehow while along for their ride with their wild brothers he remained himself and did not partake in activities he did not see as himself. Jute remained in Michigan farming in the Wakeshma Township area. He traveled to Iowa, and was also along for the trips to Oregon. Jute and family had some assistance in establishing the Colorado settlement. Jute and Mattie were great partners and spent a lot of time together. They enjoyed traveling through South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and they helped in the establishment of the Saskatchewan settlement. Jute and Mattie were of the first to move to Canada. Jute and Mattie cared for Mattie's mother, Polly Roe, who lived to be 103. Polly was still sewing her carpet rags up until the time of her death. She helped preserve the family history. Jute and Mattie were very involved in the Harrison-Roe-Selbee reunions, and Polly was much the featured star of the family reunions. Jute and Mattie had 5 children:
(15.8.13.1)
Mary Etta Harrison
(15.8.13.2) Dennis Joel Harrison
(15.8.13.3) Willis Denver Harrison
(15.8.13.4) Dallas Austin Harrison
(15.8.13.5) Nettie May (Harrison) Middaugh
(15.8.14) Hiram Abraham "Ace" Harrison was born on 10 September 1855, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and died on 22 Jun 1898, in Franklin Township, Madison, Lake County, South Dakota. He is buried in Franklin Township Cemetery, Lake County, South Dakota. He married Viola "Vie" Belle Sager (15.1.13.1) (her father Ferdinand Sager)/(15.6.3.1/13.1.6.1 her mother Sally Harrison) on 4 October 1874, in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan. "Vie" was born on 28 February 1856, in Charleston Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and died on 23 August 1939, in Lake County, South Dakota. She is also buried in Franklin Township Cemetery. Ace was a very restless spirit. He and brother, Sam were great partners in crime. Ace worked on the high wire act in the traveling show. He traveled to all of the settlements and later moved to Harrisonville, however, he left his young bride, Vie, at home with his parents due to her ailing health. Ace and Vie lived on the second home on Alec and Bett's farm and were the last to live here, they officially moved to Madison, South Dakota in 1891, after selling the home place (where the Harrison Cemetery is located). Ace had had a near death experience, and he changed his ways, he stopped drinking and even donated a large amount to fund the building of a Methodist church on the prairies in South Dakota. He became a devoted father, and also made trips to the Colorado settlement. He died a short time later. Vie, had been sickly her entire life, she walked with a cane, and was always breathing a mixture of herbs for as long as anyone could remember. However, she was feisty and never gave up. Interestingly, Vie was the last of her brother and sister-in-law's to pass away. "Ace" and "Vie" had 4 children:
(15.8.14.1)
Elton Harrison
(15.8.14.2) Myrtle Harrison
(15.8.14.3) Ina Belle Harrison Collins
(15.8.14.4) Ferdinand Alexander Harrison
(15.8.15) Samuel Ulysses Martin Harrison was born on 13 January 1858, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and died on 18 September 1938, in Seattle, King County, Washington. He is buried in Acacia Cemetery, Seattle, Washington. He married (1st) Phoebe C. Kindy on 26 December 1875 in Wakeshma Township, Michigan. Phoebe was born on 20 June 1860, in Ontario, Canada, and died on 2 Jan 1883, in Hinton, Lincoln Township, Plymouth County, Iowa. She was buried on 5 January 1883, in Lincoln Township Cemetery, in Hinton, Iowa. Sam and Phoebe had 2 children:This photo is of Ben Harrison on the left and his youngest brother, Sam. This was taken in 1884, at Hinton, Iowa. This was during the prime of the Harrisonville settlement. At this time Sam worked for his brother and assisted in maintaining the farm and settlement. Photo courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst.
(15.8.15.1) Jessie Harrison Tyler
(15.8.15.2) Ethel Harrison Van De Bogart
Sam married (2nd) Laura Diana Stratton on 10 October 1883, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Laura was born on 8 March 1856, in Climax, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and died on 11 August 1938, in Seattle, King County, Washington. She is also buried in Acacia Cemetery. Laura was the daughter of Holeb Stratton and Calista Heath. Sam and Laura had 8 children:
(15.8.15.3)
Lovina Harrison Smith
(15.8.15.4) Eliffia "Liffie" Harrison
(15.8.15.5) Lula Harrison Smith
(15.8.15.6) Melvin Harrison
(15.8.15.7) Maude Harrison Selbee
(15.8.15.8) Edith Harrison Glenn
(15.8.15.9) Betsey Jane Harrison
(15.8.15.10) Laura Mae Harrison Selber
Sam was a favorite hero of the family. There are many stories and claims of his wild adventures in the west. His claim to fame was knowing and setting up with the "James Gang" from time to time. Every family makes this claim, but Sam even named his first daughter, Jessie, in his honor. Sam roamed his entire life and his grandchildren tell tales of not seeing him for many months, and on his return he would bring out the gifts of all of his travels. Sam was instrumental in establishment of all of the settlements including, Harrisonville, Iowa; Dodge City, Kansas; Gordon, Nebraska; and Hill City, South Dakota. Sam and his family were also key in establishing the Backus, Minnesota settlements, and later they pushed into the Saskatchewan movement Despite Sam's rugged reputation, he was a family man and adored his wife, children and grandchildren, and there was always room at his table and home for anyone that needed help. Sam's (2nd) wife, Laura, was very patient and had to know how to hunt and care for the children, as she was left on the prairies for long periods of time. She was profoundly deaf her entire life, and had a very sweet nature. Two of Laura's sisters married Sam's first cousins the Soule's, creating family closeness. Sam assisted the family in establishing the final settlement between British Columbia, Snohomish and Seattle, Washington. This settlement took place in 1923, but he spent the last years of his life traveling the entire country visiting all of the families. Sam embodied the Harrison spirit, and he lived up to his legend.
This web page is authored by Scott Duncan. All information listed without a reference should be verified. Any additions, questions, or comments should be sent to:
