James W. Harris
James W. Harris, who has devoted his attention to general
agricultural persuits throughout his entire business career, is
the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of two hundred and
eighty acres on section 10, Post township. His birth occurred in
Noble county, Ohio on the 24th of March, 1860, his parents being
David M. and Rosanna (Floyd) Harris, likewise natives of the
Buckeye state. The father spent his entire life in Ohio and
followed farming during his active business career. At the time
of the Civil war he valiantly defended the Union as a member of
an Ohio regiment. His widow still resides in that state.
James W. Harris, who was the second in order of birth in a family
of nine children, obtained his education in the schools of his
native state and remained under the parental roof until he had
attained his majority. Subsequently he worked as a farm hand for
about five years and then purchased a tract of land in Post
township, Allamakee county, Iowa, continuing its cultivation for
about ten years. On the expiratio of that period he disposed of
the property and bought the farm on which he has resided
continuously since and which comprises two hundred and eighty
acres of rich and productive land on section 10 in Post township.
He operates the place as a general stock farm and has won a
gratifyiing measure of success in his undertakings. It is a model
and modern farming property, and all of the improvements thereon
stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. Mr. Harris is a
stockholder in the farmers' store and the Postville creamery and
is widely recognized as a substantial and representative citizen
of the community.
On the 17th of February, 1887, Mr. Harris was united in marriage
to Miss Carrie L. Segrist, a daughter of Louis and Mary Ann
(Joyce) Segrist. The father's birth occurred in Ohio in 1832,
while the mother was born in Indiana on the 29th of September,
1842. Louis Segrist, whose father died before he was born, came
to Iowa in boyhood. He followed agricultural pursuits during his
entire business career, being first employed as a farm hand and
later becoming a landowner in Post township, where his demise
occurred on the 22nd of January, 1902. His widow now makes her
home with her children. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are the parents of
nine children, as follows: Martin E., who was born on the 14th of
May, 1888, and resides at home; Mae Rose, born February 6, 1890,
who is the wife of Joseph Evans, of Postville; Ethel M., whose
birth occurred on the 6th of June, 1891, and who gave her hand in
marriage to William Fast, of Zanesville, Ohio; Obert, born
January 13, 1893, who wedded Miss Clara Klein and follows farming
in Post township; Ella Caroline, who was born on the 3rd of
April, 1894, and is the wife of Fred Lawson, a farmer of Post
township; Dora Irene, who was born March 19, 1899, and is
attending school; John Frederick, whose birth occurred on the
22nd of January, 1901, and who is likewise attending school;
Florence, whose natal day was December 21, 1903; and Marie
Lucile, whose birth occurred June 13, 1911.
In politics Mr. Harris is a republican, but the honors and
emoluments of office have never had any attraction for him. His
fraternal relations are in the community which has been his home
for more than a quarter of a century, and wll merits the regard
and esteem which are uniformly accorded him.
-source: Past & Present in Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall
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