My Genealogy Hound

Wilborn B. Harris, the capable manager of the extensive farming interests of James Cooper, the owner of the Cooper farm of 345 acres in section 24, Bloomfield township, Oakland County, was born in 1862 in Canada, which country he left at the age of 12 years, his parents removing at that time to Michigan, and locating at Birmingham, Oakland County. He is a son of Joseph and Mary Harris, both of whom were born in England. The former was a farmer, and before his death, in 1897, at the age of 78 years, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States, and politically supported the Democratic party. The death of our subject’s mother was caused in 1892 by a runaway horse. Her parents emigrated from England to Canada, and her father lost his life through a railway accident. Both parents were members of the Protestant Episcopal Church. They had a family of 12 children, the survivors being: Emma, widow of George Williams, residing in New Jersey; Mary Ann, wife of William Cobb, of Bloomfield township, Oakland County; Elizabeth, wife of William Hamilton, of Cheboygan, Michigan, and Wilborn B., our subject.

Wilborn B. Harris has spent the greater part of his life in Michigan, attending school in boyhood and growing to manhood acquainted with the work on the farm. In 1882 he came first to the Cooper farm in Bloomfield township, and where for 13 years he was employed by the year by Mr. Cooper. During this time he proved so invaluable to Mr. Cooper, who was extensively engaged in the raising of thoroughbred horses, in addition to farming, that in 1892 he was made foreman of this large estate. Mr. Harris still acts in that capacity, and his faithfulness and ability are recognized and appreciated. Mr. Cooper has turned his attention in late years to the extensive feeding of cattle, a business thoroughly understood by Mr. Harris, and which under his management is satisfactorily as well as economically done. This farm, which is located a mile and a half north of Birmingham, is considered one of the finest in the State, and is owned by James Cooper, the manager of the Quincy copper mine, at Hancock, Houghton County, Michigan.

In 1886 Mr. Harris was married to Lena Schrader, who is a daughter of George and Mary Schrader, who were born in Germany, where the father died. The mother still lives, being with our subject at the present. Four children have been born to this union, namely: Ethel, Thomas, Clarence and Ellen. In politics Mr. Harris is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees.