Crawfordsville Weekly Review, Feb 19, 1881 -- Life of T.A. Harris
T.A. HARRIS
The grand old county of Montgomery with its
27,000 inhabitants, its schools, its colleges, its churches and its broad acres of
improved and fertile land, presents a different scene to the aged veteran of today from
what it did when he first settled in its borders 50 or 75 years ago. The magnificent oak,
the stalwart poplar, the wide spreading walnut and the shaggy beech, have alike shared the
woodman's ax and are no more. The rude hut has given place to the comfortable, cozy
dwelling and gaudy and attractive palaces. But also how few -- how very few -- have lived
to look upon the beauty and grandeur of the work in the fullness of its glory, to which
their own hands had contributed so beautifully. The history of the honored few who are now
living within our borders can be studies with profit by those who are now enjoying the
fruits of their early labor. Among the aged veterans who have contributed to the
upbuilding of our country, both in public and private life, none perhaps stand higher in
the confidence and esteem of those by whom best known than the subject of this sketch,
Thomas A. Harris, born in Buckingham County, Virginia, 76 years ago. His
father was of Portuguese and his mother of English descent (sic). His father was a planter
and slave holder, and owned on an average from 18 to 20 slaves, in whom he took great
pride. He always treated them with great consideration and kindness; fed and clothed them
well. While he viewed them as a species of constitutional property, he never forgot that
they had feelings and sympathies which the master was morally bound to respect. Had he
lived in a different age and different country, he would doubtless have been opposed to
the institution of slavery. While he never belonged to any visible church, he was a kind
and generous father. He took upon his honor and regarded his wo? as sacred as his oath.
Thomas, the second of six children and the subject of these lines, entered upon life's
arena to do for himself at the age of 20, having been liberated by his father at his own
request before his majority. A single man, with no one to care for but himself, he went
forth with the world to seek his fortune, with the highest confidence in himself, looking
upon the gaudy side of the picture of life. He went into an adjoining county and took a
lease for four years on the lands of Hon. James McDowell, afterwards Gov. of Virginia; a
man dear to the hearts of that honored old State. His object was to enter into the
cultivation of tobacco to a grand scale. He employed a number of negro hands and a negro
cook and went to work in earnest. The first year he raised a find crop, but his expenses
were too great and he fell into debt. It was customary in those days for the person who
employed slaves to feed and clothe them. About this time, he was married to Rebecca Powers,
an estimable young lady of the vicinity, but who like himself contributed no
capital to the partnership stock, except a stout heart and willing mind, which are oftimes
more valuable auxiliaries to success than gold and diamonds. The next year proved more
disastrous than ever. His crop failed and he kept sinking deeper and deeper in debt. He
now began to realize that a fortune was not to be found like a lost bonanza, but only to
be acquired by close applications, active, industry and the strictest economy. He now
discovers that his paved road to fortune is a failure, that his mode of life must be
changed; the points of his compass altered, his vessel rerigged, the sails lowered and a
new course pursued. He informs his wife, the companion of his toils (an act worthy
imitation of our modern sires) who readily acquiesces in whatever will contribute to their
mutual good. He accordingly dispensed with all his negroes, except one, and took, in a
partner. They raised a fine little crop of tobacco, which matured in excellent condition
and was looked upon by the young firm and by Thomas especially with great pride and
satisfaction. His happiest thought was that he would soon be able to pay his debts. The
early principles of honestly and integrity instilled by the early teaching of his father,
caused him to look upon debt as being as a sacred obligation, the discharge of which could
only be excused on the ground of utter impossibility. Their little crop was carefully
gathered and after the custom of the day, stored away in a tobacco barn for the purpose of
being cured a process which was perfected by fires, and required several days. One morning
when he arose he found that his entire crop had been swept away by the cruel flames. His
first thought was of his debts. His only prospect for payment gone, this he says was the
most gloomy time of his life, but he never thought for a moment of trying to escape the
debt. His creditors came on him. He delivered over to them all his effects, goods, and
chattles, household and kitchen furniture. Everything that both he and his wife possessed,
not even retaining a bed upon which to rest at night, reserving nothing except their
wearing apparel. This done, he was still indebted. he concluded to borrow a few of the
necessaries of life from his neighbors and commenced anew. His object now was to lease a
small piece of ground and dig it up with his hoe, and raise a small crop, but upon his
sole responsibility. He goes again to the Hon. James McDowell, who listens to hi story of
his misfortunes with the deepest interest. He tells McDowell the object of his visit, viz:
to get released from his former obligation and to lease a smaller amount of ground; that
he desires to move on it and take his hoe and dig it up and cultivate it with his own
hands. McDowell expresses his surprise, tells him it is impossible, such a thing cannot be
done, that he will starve himself and family in the effort and advises him to pull up
stakes and go west, but as to the lease, he could have it for any period of time and upon
any terms he might ask, if he thought it would be of any benefit. The lease was made,
banding McDowell to everything and harris to nothing. He moves on his lease, erects a rude
log cabin, borrows a few articles of bedclothing and furniture, an old skillet and a pot
or two and he again launched his boat and starts out on life's journey anew. He has no
horse, he goes to work with his hoe and digs up his ground. The hoe used was a large heavy
implement, somewhat like the mattock of the present day. Bareheaded and without bootsday
after day, he plies his hoe until his crop is in. The first year he raises a small crop
which by the strictest economy and the utmost privation enables him to live and pay a
small among upon his outstanding indebtedness which is distributed pro rata among his
creditors. The next year he reports the same thing and further reduces his indebtedness.
He is now solicited to teach a school, he accepts and with the consent of his leaser,
throws up his lease. He teaches a term of 3 months, collects the money, counts up the
interest on each debt that he owes, and starts on the rounds to hunt up his creditors,
each of whom is paid the full amount of his claim, both principal and interest. This done,
he says, "I have no doubt but that I felt prouder than General Jackson did, when he
had won the noted battle of New Orleans. I regard it as the crowning act of my life and
never think of it without a feeling of pride. He taught 4 terms in the same district at
low wages, but succeeded in saving a little money, when hist thoughts turned westward. He
was now the head of a family and had passed his majority several years, but never had been
permitted to vote, not having possessed the property qualification requisite in that
State. No person was allowed a vote except he possessed in his own right, some article of
personal property upon which he payed tax. In the year 1832, just before the election of
Gen. Jackson, he bought a little mare, the honored beast, that gave him his first vote. He
had voted for every Democratic Pres. since that time, but he says the hardest pill to
take, in the line of Presidential medicine, was Horace Greeley. In the fall of 1834, with
two small ponies and a little wagon and $R57, 12 1/2 in his pocket, he started west. He
stopped in Ohio where he remained two years teaching school 15 months of the time. In the
fall of 1836, he removed to Indiana and settled down on the farm where he now lives, one
half mile west of New Ross in Walnut Township. He bought 80- acres and paid all down
except $89 upon which he had two years time. It was then covered with one dense forest of
living green. When he arrived and paid off his teamsters, he had $14.37 1/2 left. No
house, no supplies, a weakly wife and six helpless children. He went to work and built him
a rude cabin. His family once secure from the wintry blasts his means of support was
ebbing low, and something must be done. He secures a school at $50 for three months. This
enables him by strict economy to support his family. He teaches by day, and clears ground
by night. He taught one more school, and then devoted himself exclusively to this farm. He
is now the owner of 381 acres of land, and has given each of his two sons who are married
a fine start. He is now, worth in his own name about $20,000. He regards the credit
system, is being ruinous to both debtor and creditor. He rarely buys anything except land,
without paying the cash for it at the time it is purchased. He thinks the system of going
securing ought to be abolished by law. He has paid a few hundred dollars as security, but
has resolved of late years, never to ask credit, nor to go on any man's paper. He is now
76 years old and has lived in Montgomery County 48 (?) years. He has filled the following
positions of public trust: Justice of the Peace in 1838 and received his commission from
Gov. WALLACE, father of the distinguished Governor of New Mexico, served five years, was
elected Twp. Trustee and served two terms. Was elected Co. Commissioner and served one
term. Samuel GILLILAND and WATSON were the other members of the Board. The bridge across
Sugar Creek at Yountsville was built during his term of office. A t the end of one term,
he refused the nomination or the second. In the year 1850, he was selected to the State
Legislature. RB McMAKIN was the other member from this county and Joseph ALLEN was
Senator. Gov. WILLARD was then a young member of the House. Ex-Senator PRATT was then a
member of the house, and was considered a strong man and a leader. LANE was Pres. of the
Senate. A Dem. Quaker is a rare curiosity but the Senate contained one of that kind. While
he felt it a great honor to represent his county in that popular body, he had no desire to
return. His dearest interests were with his family at home. He is a member of the regular
Predestinarian Baptist church with which body he committed himself in 1833. He was raised
in the old Tobacco State and has used it in some of its forms for 56 years. He regards it
as a useless and expensive habit, and one that never should be contracted. Truthfulness,
honestly and integrity he regards as absolutely essential to the happiness and well being
of everyone; and peace and tranquility of mind, cannot be enjoyed unless human conduct is
characterized by those vitures. MRC.
Submitted by: Karen Zach
County Coordinator: Suzy
Sprague suzyq.wa@worldnet.att.net