My Genealogy Hound

EBENEZER HARRIS is one of the prominent and successful business men of Galien and is the senior member of the well-known firm of E. Harris & Son, dealers in dry-goods, groceries, boots and shoes, furnishing goods and hats and caps. The superior reputation held by the members of the firm, and the promptness and accuracy with which the business is conducted, have contributed largely to the success now enjoyed by the enterprise. The stock is unsurpassed in quality and includes a complete and varied assortment. This managed with perfect system, and a reputation surpassed by none, the firm has achieved a position of distinction among the leading and most prosperous of the great industries of Berrien County.

The Harris family is of English origin, and its first representative in the United States was a Mr. Harris, who emigrated from England many years ago and settled in Rhode Island. His son James was born and reared in that State, and there married a Miss Aldridge. Somewhat later he removed to Vermont, where he settled in Bennington County and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, Eseck being the youngest. He was born in Bennington County, Vt., where he gained a common-school education and grew to a stalwart, vigorous manhood amid the difficulties and privations of pioneer life. Upon forming domestic ties, he was united in marriage with Miss Prudence, the daughter of Ebenezer Pratt, who had removed to Vermont from Rhode Island.

Locating after his marriage upon a farm in Bennington Township, Bennington County, Vt., Eseck Harris passed his life in an uneventful manner, amid the scenes endeared to him by all the associations of childhood and maturer years. He followed farming pursuits uninterruptedly and was quite successful as a tiller of the soil, being a man of excellent judgment and sound common sense. He and his wife had a family of eight children, of whom six attained maturity and are now living. Of this number, the readers’ attention is invited to the seventh in order of birth, the subject of this sketch, who was born in Bennington County, Vt., on the 12th of March, 1839. Passing his youthful days in the Green Mountain State, he there availed himself of such educational advantages as were offered, and through study and observation became a well-informed man.

At the age of eighteen, Mr. Harris came to Michigan and located in Galien Township, Berrien County, where he embarked in farming pursuits. About the same time he was married to Miss Lois, daughter of Pardon Yaw, a native of Vermont. Nothing occurred to interrupt the peaceful tenor of his life until the war cloud darkened the Nation and the first shot fired on Ft. Sumter echoed around the world. His patriotic spirit aroused, Mr. Harris offered his services in his country’s defense, and on the 22d of October, 1861, his name was enrolled as a member of Company E, Twelfth Michigan Infantry. He participated in the fierce engagement at Shiloh, after which he was assigned to hospital duty, and later went to Detroit. Upon again being ordered to the front, he took part in the battle of Hatchee Bridge and was then detailed to the Ambulance Corps. After an honorable military career, covering a period of four years or more, he was honorably discharged at Camden, Ark.

Upon returning to Galien, Mr. Harris shortly afterward embarked in the general mercantile business, forming a partnership with George Partridge, and continuing in this connection for about three yearns. After dissolving that partnership, he conducted the business alone until 1892, when his son, Clyde H., entered the firm. They now conduct a flourishing trade, not only with the people of Galien, but also with the farmers of the surrounding country. In addition to his business interests, Mr. Harris devotes considerable attention to the management of his two farms, located in Galien Township, one in Galien Centre and the other one and one-half miles west, and comprising eighty and forty acres, respectively. This land is under excellent cultivation, and special attention is also given to stock-raising.

After the death of his first wife, Mr. Harris married Miss Clara, daughter of George Parrish, their union being celebrated in 1886. Of the first marriage six children were born, four of whom died in childhood. The others are: Lillie May, wife of Frank Prince, a resident of Berlamont, Van Buren County, Mich.; and Clyde H. In his political affiliations Mr. Harris adheres to the principles of the Republican party, and has been the recipient of numerous official honors at the hands of his fellow-citizens. For about four years he served as Township Treasurer and Clerk, and for two years he has been a member of the Village Board. Socially, he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic.