My Genealogy Hound

William A. M. Harris, ex-merchant, but now a prosperous farmer of Richland Township, Washington Co., Ark., was born in McMinn County, Tenn., May 15, 1836, and is a son of William and Basheba (Fagan) Harris, who were born In South Carolina and Virginia, and died in 1876 and 1860, respectively. They were early residents of Tennessee, and in 1854 came to Arkansas, where they afterward made their home. They were farmers, and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and became the parents of thirteen children, four of whom are living: Minnie J. (widow of J. C. Carigan), Nancy (wife of A. Brown), William A. M. and Wilbur F. William A. M. Harris began life for himself at the age of eighteen years with no capital except a liberal supply of pluck and energy. He engaged in stock trading and farming, and by good management eventually became the owner of 500 acres of land, with over 200 acres under cultivation. December 14, 1854, he was married to Sarah H. Carigan, who was born in McMinn County, Tenn., December 13, 1836, and by her became the father of twelve children, the following four being the only ones now living: Basheba (wife of G. W. Hannah), Mary A. (wife of J. McGuire), Laura C. and Jettie I. Mr. Harris and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a stanch Republican. In 1861 be enlisted in Company B, First Arkansas Cavalry, and served with credit until the close of the war. He was taken prisoner in Washington County, Ark., and taken to Little Rock, but succeeded in making his escape one month later. He was ten days in making his journey home, traveling nights and sleeping in the brush during the daytime. He was in several prominent engagements and numerous skirmishes.