SAMUEL LOUDEN HARRIS, born December 28, 1815, was well trained in all the many kinds of work on the farm in pioneer days. After learning all the subscription schools of the period offered he was sent a year, 1833-34, to Princeton University. From the texts used, now in the possession of the writer, it seems that the Freshman college year then carried about the same studies now taught in the second and third years of our high schools.
The next two years Samuel taught the winter terms of the subscription schools and also clerked in the general store of “Uncle George Morrow” at Clarksville, in which he then became a partner. This venture was not a financial success, owing largely to the repeal soon after of the law providing imprisonment for debt. No doubt its repeal was right; but under that law every one was trusted, and so all firms did largely a credit business. But as was the case everywhere, many of their customers having no property took advantage of the repeal, and so the firm was left with thousands of dollars of incollectible accounts.
On October 20, 1838, Samuel married Phebe Kibbey and they began housekeeping in Clarksville. On March 1, 1840, they moved to the farm on Springhill (then known as the Ridge) given the husband by his father. The season was so far advanced that there was abundant pasture and forage for all their livestock. In addition to the original 200 acres given, Samuel bought another 100–of which he later sold the northern 50. The first farm home of the couple was the usual one room log cabin of the pioneers. This was near a spring some 40 rods north of the present farm dwelling, and here the next fall was born their first child, Henry Clay, November 17, 1840, died February 18, 1842.
Pioneer Housekeeping
As a little boy the writer loved to hear his mother tell of her housekeeping experience of those early days. The cooking was all done at the fire place, which had a long swinging “crane” an iron bar hinged into one side and half way back. On this were hung half a dozen small bars of different lengths, hooked at each end, from these were suspended the pots and kettles for cooking. Some foods were baked in iron (Dutch) ovens holding from a half to 2 or 3 gallons each, and covered with a close fitting iron lid. The oven was set in a bed of live coals and hot ashes and coals heaped on top of the lid.
Even in our own boyhood days and long after the advent of the iron cook stove, mother often cooked part of the meal on the fireplace crane and baked corn bread, sweet potatoes, etc., in the Dutch oven. My! how good they did taste. Biscuits were baked in a bright tin “reflector,” set before the fire in such a way as to reflect the heat upon the biscuits.
Only 40 or 50 acres of the land was under cultivation and clearing the remainder was almost worth the land. This was often done by “tenants,” who cleared a field for from one to five crops, owing to the labor required. Great walnut trees were abundant and many were made into rails. The siding for the large barn and dwelling, and other buildings was entirely of walnut. That timber was at the time worth no more than oak and so was largely destroyed in clearing the land. At later prices the walnut timber thus destroyed would probably have been worth almost as much as the farm itself.
With all their hard work the young couple accomplished much, prospered, and lived very happily. Counting the “tenants” there were in all 15 or 20 such couples living in that section and there were all kinds of social gatherings, besides the usual log-rollings and house-raisings. Their first real sorrow, and the only one for many years, came when they lost their first born, February 18, 1842. But a second came to take his place the next June.
Soon a more commodious hewed log house 20 x 30 feet, and a story and a half high was built, south of the spring. Below this spring, with the roof projecting over it, a hewed log milkhouse was constructed. This was used long after the present frame dwelling was erected and we well remember the stone floor with the shallow trough along the side and one end in which the cold water flowed three inches deep. In this the milk and other foods kept cool in the hottest weather.
There was also a large log stable and log corncrib. Later a log stable with a frame attachment was erected east of the present barn. In 1852 this barn was built, 56 x 42, with later a stable and cowshed added. The entrance to the farm buildings was by a lane along the west side of the farm, and known as “Sam Harris’ Lane.” Some years later this was made part of a county road leading to Waynesville, but for a long time retained its early name.
In 1854, south of the new barn, and on the highest elevation, Samuel erected the present dwelling, a story and a half, seven room house, with an attic the full length on
either side. These attics certainly had a lot of waste space, but what wonderful places to play, especially in rainy weather. They were used to hang the washing on bad days, store hickorynuts, popcorn, all sorts of discarded articles, etc.In the writer’s youth the land had all been cleared but 20 acres, the “Upper Woods,” extending across the farm from west to east about one third from the south end, and the same amount, the “Lower Woods,” at the north end. A wide lane ran back through the center of the farm, but not fenced through the Upper Woods, and connected with all the fields and Lower Woods. This was the “Inside Lane,” while the county road was the “Outside Lane.” Both were used in reaching the various fields, and the Lower Place, as the north 150 acres came to be called. This was in the Muhlenburg Survey and the lines ran north and south, so it was always easy to tell when it was noon, in clear weather. The Upper Place was in the Virginia Military Survey and the lines bent east, making an angle of about 30 degrees with those of the Lower Place. The hewed log dwelling was re-erected on the Lower Place on the county road, just north of the angle between the two surveys.
A Boy’s Paradise
What a place that farm was to spend a boyhood! Along the “Lanes” we rode to and from work; went galloping after the cows in the Lower Woods a mile away, often, we suspect unduly chasing the poor creatures, in our pure joy of living. And often this ride would be made “just for fun.” There was an apple orchard of a hundred trees near the barn, and a fine peach orchard east of the house. The garden had a row of currants along one whole side, and next to them a wide patch of strawberries! On either side of a walk through the middle were gooseberries; oh that gooseberry pie! Rhubarb and sage. Next the gate the walk was lined with all kinds of flowers, pinks, peonies, tulips, lilies, and other hardy, old fashioned varieties. At the further end was a grape arbor, with half a dozen damson plum trees for good measure. A row of other kinds of plums was at the end of the orchard.
But the crowning glory of all in the fruit line was a row of six sweet cherry trees across the yard: a White Sweet, Governor Wood, two Black Tartarians, and two Yellow Spanish! They grew to be wonderful trees, over two feet in diameter and so tall finally that it was impossible to get all the fine fruit in their tops. There was never a complete failure and when mature the trees yielded cherries by the bushel. Enough to supply the families of all
the children after they were married and had families of their own, and with cherries left to sell usually. Besides these there were several trees of sour cherries down at the original home which were usually given to whoever would pick them.The Upper Woods formed quite a source of revenue for it abounded in ginseng, the roots of which we gathered and sold. It also produced the finest of pawpaws unmolested by any animals except man and opossums. How fine the sweet, rich, yellow fruit on a frosty October morning. Then there was always the patch of watermelons and muskmelons, planted if possible in “new ground.” Trees bearing the finest of mulberries grew along the fences or edge of the woods, to say nothing of “sugar” haws, while walnuts and hickorynuts could be had for the gathering. Our hands were usually stained black from the former in their season; and what fun to go horseback riding down into the swamps for hickorynuts after a heavy frost in the fall.
Work! Oh yes, work a plenty! Following a cloddy furrow and dropping corn by hand, often with a horse hitched to a dadkin to cover the corn, coming uncomfortably close behind. And how awfully long those May forenoons! By 10 o’clock we were so hungry we felt sure it must be noon and wondered why on earth the men did not stop for dinner! Then in the long, hot days of harvest we had to gather sheaves–how very, very heavy they seemed sometimes, and later we had to “turn” those same sheaves while our oldest brother built them into great tall ricks ready for threshing. And “mowing” away the hay in the great barn lofts; how fast they sent it up and how awfully hot it was up in the hay-mows!
The cold frosty mornings of early fall when we were still barefoot and had to go bring in the cows to be milked, often standing a while where a cow had lain all night, to warm our feet! The colder, frosty mornings still later when we had to “keep up the down row,” always a boy’s job in husking time, bare-handed with the corn husks white with frost! B-r-r-r-r r. But the dinner after all those long forenoons largely offset the dreary hours of labor or cold–always something extra good for extra hard work! Mother surely understood boys!
But many of the farm tasks–most of them–were just fun. Caring for the hundred or more sheep in early spring; for turkey buzzards were quite fond of fresh lamb, and if very hungry did not always wait for one to die. Watching the 50 or 60 lambs line up on one side of the pasture, race each other to the further side, and gathering there race back again. And sheep washing time! Driving the flock to the creek three miles away and catching them for
the men who stood waist deep and squeezed the dirt out of the wool into the running water. Hay stacking! When we proudly rode haycocks to the stack, hitching a horse to each by means of a long chain deftly fastened around and partly under the haycock, occasionally one would overturn forward and then if the rider were not spry enough to jump in time it would be dragged over him! And threshing time! How we looked forward to it–even with all the extra odd jobs it made–and were lonesome for days after. And the restful after harvest days, when we might be sent to find “roasting ears for dinner,” and maybe to catch a couple of likely young roosters to fry for the same dinner! And apple picking! Especially when we were allowed to “stay out of school to help!” Hunting! Squirrels in June, when the young ones were about grown, and again in September and October when they were after all kinds of nuts. And late fall–quail and rabbits! How proudly we marched home with our first mess of young squirrels–three of them! Later we learned to kill quails “on the wing and rabbits running”–so that quail pie became a common and delightful article of diet. What a life that boyhood on the farm! And it was lived more or less by every boy on a farm in those days.* * *
More than usually well educated, Samuel from the first took an active interest in church and community affairs. By heading all his letters and papers “Springhill,” and using the name at all times he soon changed the name Ridge–by which the section had been known, to Springhill. He led the singing schools so common in those early days. Music notes were then designated partly by shape, square, triangular, etc., as well as by their position on the staff. With the advent of round notes Samuel dropped out of such work. He particularly loved the Scotch airs Bonnie Doon, Annie Laurie, Auld Lang Syne, etc.
For years Samuel was an active and influential member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge and the Methodist Church at Clarksville. Every Sunday morning he took the family to church in the carriage drawn by the match team of dun horses, Tom and Fox. Every farmer in the neighborhood had such a carriage. He was captain of the militia in the township a while– for every so often each able bodied man between certain ages had to attend drill practice. He served several years as Justice of the Peace, compromising most of the cases that came before him, much to the disgust of the lawyers concerned. He served as one of the three commissioners on the pike built to Clarksville, 1871-1877.
He took great interest in education, probably had more books in his home than in all the remainder of the neighborhood, and sent each of his children two or more terms to the Holbrook Normal. All of these but Charles became teachers. Like his older brother he greatly enjoyed the possession of his land and though crippled from various accidents not a day of good weather passed that he did not walk over parts of it. He was intensely patriotic and all through the Civil War the stars and stripes were kept flying from a tall pole in the front yard, the flag lowered to half mast in bad Union defeats.
He was very democratic, resembling his father in this, and as long as he lived his home was a center for callers of all kinds, who liked to visit a while with “Uncle Sammy.” He had a fine sense of humor, a great memory in which was stored a fund of good stories, and retained all his faculties to the last.
Phebe, the wife and mother, was a most capable helpmate to her husband, devoted and sympathetic to her children, a typical, energetic, efficient farmer’s wife. She too had a fine sense of humor and the home became noted for its open hospitality and good times; for years it was the center of young peoples’ gatherings, always gladly welcomed, and “Aunt Phebe” well knew how to entertain. She never seemed happier than when arranging a good dinner for the frequent visitors–friends and relatives–but any one there at meal time was always invited to eat. On October 20, 1888, the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, over fifty invited guests being present for the dinner. It was a beautiful day and in the afternoon nearly a hundred more, nearly all old time acquaintances called to congratulate them on their half century of wedded life.
One by one the children married and set up homes of their own. In 1892 the youngest son decided to devote his entire time to school work and so left the farm and the couple became very lonely by themselves at the old homestead. In January, 1894, the farm had to be sold to satisfy a mortgage indebtedness growing out of security notes dating back to the close of the Civil War. The younger son was able to purchase the old homestead with 75 acres of land and so keep the parents in the home where they had lived 54 years. Carey Bogan, who had formerly worked much for Samuel, moved into a part of the house and he and his wife looked well after the aged couple. Probably this last year of their lives was the most peaceful and contented they had had for some time.
Some months before her death the mother became a semi-invalid. The husband, though much crippled by rheumatism, retained good health otherwise and took the best of care of
his wife. In March, 1895, he suffered a severe attack of Grippe; he said from the first that he would not recover and passed away March 22nd. The wife never rallied from the shock and she too passed peacefully away only five days later. The couple had played well their part in life, their family, their country, and the community in which they had lived so long. People from everywhere, many who had not seen them for years, came to pay their last tribute of respect and regard. Following are their descendants:I Henry Clay, November 17, 1840, died February 18, 1842.
II Charles Albert, June, 1842. After completing the country school he attended the Holbrook Normal, and when the Civil War came on volunteered in Company D, 79th Regiment, O. V. I., for 3 years. It was first thought he would be made Lieutenant, but that honor went elsewhere. He left for service in April, 1861; the next March he was discharged for physical disability.
On January 24, 1865, he married Martha Wilkerson, daughter of James Wilkerson, and his second wife, Mahala McDonald. He had clerked for Ben Lowenthal in a general store at Clarksville and after marrying conducted as a partner a branch store with him at Blanchester. After a year or two he returned to farming, either on the home place or that of his Uncle George Harris, till the spring of 1878 when the couple moved to the farm inherited by the wife. Here on May 17, 1879 she died of typhoid pneumonia, leaving five children, the oldest but 13 years of age.
In November, 1882, Charles married Ruth Harvey, who proved a second mother to his children. For some years they lived on the farm at Springhill then moved to Ruth’s farm in Clinton county, and later to Wilmington. He served as Clerk of the 79th Regiment Reunion till his death and was for many years Justice of the Peace both in Warren county and at Wilmington. The couple were living very happily when the husband was taken seriously ill and died, December, 1913. The widow lived at Wilmington a while, then with her brother, Wilson, and then at Harveysburg till her death. No children were born to the second marriage. Charles and Martha’s children were:
1 Edna Flora, April 1, 1866. For three years after her mother’s death she took care of the two younger children, staying with her Grandfather Harris. After her father’s second marriage she prepared for teaching in which she was quite successful. On September 3, 1890, she married Albert Preston Harvey, son of Micajah and Mary Barnett Harvey. The couple located in Muncie, Ind., but seven years later went to Stillwater, Okla., on account
of Edna’s health. There they operated a general store till 1923 when they went to Ft. Collins, Col. The higher altitude helped but could not restore the wife’s health and she passed away March 5, 1932. The following children were born to the couple:a Carl Foster, September 19, 1891. In 1911 he graduated in Architecture from the Oklahoma State Agricultural and Mechanical College. He served in the World War from July 22, 1918, to December 30, 1919. He is unmarried and lives at Ft. Collins, Col.
b Ruth Harris, November 29, 1897. She also graduated from the State College, Class of 1922. On June 30, 1924, she married Charles Harold Janeway, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. F. Janeway, of Stillwater, Okla. The couple live at Shawnee, Okla, and have the following children: 1’ Patti Ruth, December 28, 1925. 2’ Harriet Lucille, December 19, 1929.
c Arthur Macy, February 20, 1901. He graduated from the Oklahoma State College Class of 1923. On April 28, 1928, he married Florence, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Swartz, of Denver, Col. They live at Helena, Montana, and have a son, Harold Walter, August 1, 1930.
2 Emma Tamson, January 27, 1868. She taught school some years then married Edward M. Lukens. They located near the husband’s home and finally on the Lukens Homestead, just east of Harveysburg, Ohio. Here the wife passed away, December 18, 1918. To the union were born:
a William Arthur, September 19, 1895. He graduated from O. S. U. in Agriculture Class of 1916. In January, 1920, he married Helen Genevieve, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis H. Hartsock. To this union was born: 1’ Mary Caroline, June 30, 1921. The wife died September 20, 1925. Some years after her death William married Edith Mary Greene, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Greene. To this marriage have been born: 2’ Esther Emma, September 6, 1929. 3’ Donald Edgar, February 11, 1931. 4’ Martha Jean, February 29, 1932. 5’ Lois Ruth, April 25, 1933.
William entered the World War, May 18, 1918, training first at Louisville then at West Point, Ky. He sailed for France in September, 1918, and after further training at Bordeaux his division was scheduled for Verdun, November 15, when the war was stopped by the Armistice on the 11th. After returning home he became the leader of the first 4H Club, served as Master of the Masonic Lodge, as Master of both the local and the County Pomona Grange, and from 1926 till he became a rural mail carrier in 1928, was Republican Central Committeeman of his township. Both he and his wife are active and valued
members of their community, maintaining a hospitable home at the Old Lukens Homestead, just east of Harveysburg.
b Levi Harris, January 6, 1901. He graduated from Wilmington College, A. B. degree in 1923, and from O. S. U. with B. S. in Agriculture in 1924. After two years teaching in the high schools of Clinton county he became that county’s agricultural agent, but after two years returned to teaching at Waldo, Ohio. On June 6, 1924, he married Thelma, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Davis. To this union were born: 1’ John Alfred, September 10, 1930, died August 7, 1931. 2’ Richard Vaughn, September 6, 1932.
3 Ernest Dalton, November 14, 1870. After the death of his mother he spent some time with his uncle, Uriah Compton, in Iowa, returning November, 1881. After teaching and farming some years he graduated from O. S. U. with the Doctor of Veterinary degree. He served some time as U. S. Veterinary Inspector at Chicago, then became assistant professor at the Agricultural College, N. D. He gave this up to establish a private practice at Casselton, N. D., but the northern climate proved too severe and he went to Tallahassee, Fla., as Assistant State Veterinarian. He volunteered in the World War, was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Officers Reserve Corps, Vet. Division, and assigned to Camp McClellan, Anniston, Ala.
Later he located at Fort Pierce, Fla., and then at Okeechobee, where he has since been interested in various business enterprises. On March 14, 1894, he married Carrie E. Carroll. To this union were born:
a Mary Edna, April 8, 1895. She graduated from the State Normal, N. D., in 1918. She married Carl Hewitt, an ex-service man, who for several years has been connected with the large milling companies at St. Paul, where they live. They have the following family: 1’ Merrill, November 29, 1923. 2’ Donald, February 13, 1925. 3 Dolly, June 7, 1927.
b Charles Arthur, September 28, 1898. He graduated from a business college at Fargo, N. D., specializing in auditing and accounting. He was with the Challenge Produce Co., of Los Angeles for seven years but is now at Okeechobee, Fla. He married Isabel Humphreys, a native of Hampshire, Eng. They have one child, Estre Eldora, April 18, 1931.
c Earl Joseph, April 8, 1901. He graduated from N. D. State University, 1925, M. A. degree. Since then he has been purchasing agent for the Jewell Tea Co. He married Lydia Koch and lives at Barrington, Ill. They have two children: 1’ John Gilbert, May 30, 1928. 2’ Patricia Ann, August 17, 1931.
4 Arthur, May 9, 1877. He developed into an unusually steady and reliable youth and had prepared for teaching in which he was getting a fine start, well liked by all, when he contracted typhoid fever and died May 4, 1898.
5 Letitia, October 10, 1878. After teaching some years in Wilmington, she graduated from the Normal School of Gymnastics, New Haven, Conn. She married Lincoln W. Barnes, Instructor in Manual Arts, New Haven Public Schools. Later the couple went to Colorado where the wife obtained a B. Ph. degree in Western State College and the husband a B. S. degree in Colorado Agricultural College, which accepted his credits from Yale. Lincoln was in the Army Educational Corps in the World War, winning a decoration, “Chevalier de Merit Agricol.” They now live at Amherst, Mass., where he teaches Manual Arts. They have one son, Harris Lincoln, November 19, 1911, who finished Hopkins Preparatory School in 1930, and graduated from Amherst, B. A. degree, Class of 1934.
III Mary Nancy, January 1, 1845, and named after her two grandmothers. She was among the earlier students at the Holbrook Normal at Lebanon and for several years a most successful teacher, besides taking an active part in social and community affairs, especially during the Civil War. On January 27, 1870, she married Geo. H. Wilkerson. He had served in the 79th Regiment O. V. I. from July, 1862 till discharged for sickness in January, 1863. He reenlisted May, 1864, in the 146th Regiment and served as lieutenant in Co. H., of which his older brother, William, was captain.
The couple began housekeeping in a home built for them near Springhill Schoolhouse, on the farm of the husband’s father. With the exception of some years when the husband had charge of other farms they lived here till they “retired” and moved to Clarksville in 1916. Here the husband passed away March 8, 1917, the wife May 25, 1922. Though the wife was an invalid for several years both took an active part in public affairs and were efficient and valued members of the community, the husband serving many years as Master of the local Masonic Lodge. To them were born:
1 Thaddeus, June 1, 1871. After completing all the work offered at the Normal University, Lebanon, he taught some years, conducting for some time a private academy at La Grange, Ky. He then became a salesman for the Burroughs Adding Machine Company in Chicago, Ill. Later he was transferred to Pittsburgh, Pa., but on account of ill health was compelled to seek outdoor employment for some years. When able to resume work he was located by the firm in New York City, where he has ever since resided. Several years later
he gave up work with the Burroughs people and became Sales Manager for another firm. In business Thad was efficient and energetic–a most successful salesman and noted for square dealing.
On January 11, 1902, he married Gertrude Weller, born August 11, 1872. To this union one child was born, Douglas, April 18, 1903, but lived only a day. Both husband and wife have always taken an active part in church and social affairs, the wife prominent in various club circles.
2 Robert, February 20, 1874. While never robust, suffering from a weak heart from the first, Robert “did well his part,” obtaining largely by his own exertions a thorough education in the Normal at Lebanon. But he grew less strong as he became older and passed away April 11, 1899.
IV James Ephraim, May 18, 1847, and named after his two grandfathers. He attended the Holbrook Normal and then taught some years, usually farming at the same time. On August 14, 1876, he married Eva Kirkpatrick, who had been one of his teachers at New Burlington, Ohio. They lived on the farm of the husband’s parents till December, 1882, when they moved to a farm they had bought near Quenemo, Kansas. He sold this farm in 1900 (?) and went to Emporia, Kansas, where he lived till his death, March 10, 1931. At Emporia he took an active part in politics and served as County Commissioner from 1918 to 1924. To him is largely due the well planned and well constructed highways of the county. As a public official he was noted for his square dealing and had the confidence and esteem of all. Following is part of a high tribute paid him by William A. White, well known editor of the Emporia Gazette in an editorial on his death:
”The passing of J. E. Harris removes from our community another of the more prominent pioneers. He served his neighbors faithfully and well for a long time as a township officer. He was county commissioner for several terms a dozen years ago and under him many improvements were initiated and worked out. He was a quiet, unassuming gentleman, hard working, kind-hearted, and instinctively honest. He closed his life in the eighties, a long, useful, happy career and will be missed by scores of friends.”
Two children were born to his marriage:
1 Inez, June 3, 1878. On March 15, 1899, she married R. H. Jaquith, an attorney, now Assistant Cashier of the Citizens National Bank of Emporia. The widow makes her home with them. There were no children.
2 Fred, November 21, 1880. He graduated from the Teachers College at Emporia and on August 17, 1914, married Helen Greever. Fred is manager of the John Deere Plow Co.,
at Omaha, Nebraska, where they live. To the couple have been born: a Winifred, April 29, 1916. b Charles, November 10, 1918. Twins, c and d John and Jean, February 9, 1923.V Angeline, April 26, 1849. After attending the Holbrook Normal she was a successful teacher for several years. On July 7, 1870, she married Thomas Newton Wilkerson, son of James Wilkerson, a neighbor. They lived on the farm of the husband’s father till it was divided among the younger children, then in the spring of 1878 erected a dwelling on his share. Here they lived most happily over half a century, and in 1920 observed their Golden Wedding, which was attended by a host of relatives and friends. And here, June 3, 1930, the wife passed away, only a month before the date of their Diamond Wedding. The husband never became reconciled to the loss of his companion and followed her April 5, 1931. The husband served in several offices of public trust and was the main support of the local Regular Baptist Church. The couple took an active part in all local and church affairs and were valued members of the community. Their home was noted for its open hospitality and the scene of frequent social gatherings. To them were born:
1 An infant daughter, March 10, 1874, died March 31, 1874.
2 Mabel, May 23, 1875, died April 1, 1881.
3 Mary, March 10, 1879. She attended Ohio Wesleyan University and after teaching some years married Charles Isaac Huffman. Later they bought what had been the homestead of the wife’s grandfather, where they have since lived, well known and highly esteemed throughout that section, taking an active part in its affairs. They had the following family: a Newton Isaac, March 4, 1909. He graduated from O. W. U. with the B. A. degree, Class of 1931. On February 14, 1933, he married Lorena Stephenson and took charge of the two farms. But he developed pneumonia and passed away, July 3, 1933. b Charles Harris, June 14, 1912. He graduated from O. S. U., Class of 1933, B. S. degree. On August 2, 1933 he married Iva Charlotte Millard, after one year teaching at Carlisle, Ohio, he became high school principal at Wharton, Ohio, where they now reside, Aug. 1935. Both the sons were fond of athletics, and excelled in all forms of sports.
VI Samantha, July 28, 1852. She too attended the Normal at Lebanon and then taught successfully some years. On December 23, 1875, she married Uriah Compton, son of Jesse Compton, near New Burlington, Ohio. For a time the couple lived in that town, then moved to a farm belonging to the husband’s father near Earlham, Iowa. Later they bought a farm near Ashton, Iowa. This they sold but lived in that section till the death of the
husband, March 10, 1896, near Primghar. His people belonged to the Friends (Quaker) Church, and Uriah was for many years a minister of that church.With all manner of effort and the efficient help of the older children the widow managed to rear the family and trained them to become valuable and highly esteemed young people who later made their way well in the world. She was well educated and had a fine sense of humor which often helped greatly in her years of hardship. She spent her last years at Valley Junction, Iowa, well cared for by her children, and passed away April 1, 1932. To the couple were born the following:
1 Bertha Ann, December 17, 1877. She married Robert L. Cook, October 20, 1897. There were no children. Later Mrs. Cook took the required training and for many years has been a very busy and highly esteemed registered nurse at Van Meter, Iowa.
2 Jesse Samuel, born April 30, 1879. After the death of his father he became the main support of his mother and the family. On January 5, 1909, he married Nettie Belle Colgan. There were no children. For many years Jesse has been a successful farmer and land owner, but gives most of his attention to a livestock commission agency which is well known all over northwestern Iowa. He maintains offices in Valley Junction, where he lives.
3 Homer Clifton, January 10, 1883, died, April 15, 1903.
4 Ellis Hartley, December 13, 1884. He developed into a prosperous merchant and dairy farmer at Valley Junction and continued as such till his death, January 1, 1929. On October 25, 1905, he married Pearl Malitna Nicholson. To the union were born: a Clara Esther, August 14, 1908, who is now an instructor in Domestic Science, Manville, Iowa. b Adella Naomi, July 18, 1918.
5 Earl Raymond, May 2, 1887. He is a retail merchant in Webster City, Iowa. On September 25, 1911, he married Hilda Evalina Baldwain. They have a daughter, Beverly Eugenia, April 30, 1917.
6 Albert Maynard, January 25, 1895. He is a banker of Valley Junction Savings Bank, Iowa. On September 2, 1916, he married Addie Mae Hubbard. They have children, a Robert Douglas, September 13, 1923. b Bonnie Grace, August 15, 1925. c Barbara Marie, July 10, 1932.
VII Fielder Bowie, October 14, 1856. His early life is described under “A Boy’s Paradise,” in the first of this chapter. The following condensed and abridged from the sources indicated tells of his later life.
History Of The Miami Valley, Published 1919
For forty-two years Fielder B. Harris has been connected with educational work, mostly in the Miami Valley. Few men here have had a greater influence for good in the elevation of educational standards and the advancement of high ideals in the teacher’s work, and his recent appointment to the superintendency of the schools of Warren county came as a well merited recognition of work capably and faithfully done, and splendid results achieved.
His elementary education was obtained in the district schools at Springhill, this county, and when but fifteen years old he entered the Scientific Class of the Holbrook Normal University at Lebanon. Though the youngest member by some years his record compared well with that of the older classmates. He was not able to remain all year but took later at various times nearly all the work offered by the institution. He began teaching in 1876, the winter term of a rural school enrolling fifty pupils most of whom were almost grown and several over 21 years of age!
For several years he taught in his own or an adjoining district, and at the same time had charge of either his father’s or his uncle’s farm, for he had not planned to continue teaching. In 1889 he decided to devote his entire time to school work and accepted the principalship of the Fifth District Schools at Chattanooga, Tenn., then embracing the suburbs of Ridgedale and Highland Park. After three years he returned to Ohio as superintendent of the schools at West Milton, where he established an excellent record for constructive and progressive work. During the sixteen years there he developed what had been simply an advanced grammar grade into a First Grade, four-year course high school of over 100 students whose work was accepted by all higher institutions in the state.
In 1894 he had planned to take a year off, complete a college course, and so obtain the degree he foresaw would soon be required for all engaged in high school work. But his father’s finances had become so involved from security debts that he took the money intended for his college degree and bought in that part of the farm containing the homestead; for only in this way could his parents be kept from having to leave the home where they had lived for over fifty years. With a heavily mortgaged farm and four children
it was ten years before he was able to resume his college work. In 1904 he entered the University of Chicago and studied there every summer quarter for several years, taking eventually both a bachelor and a master degree from that institution.In 1908 he was placed in charge of the schools at Franklin, Ohio, where he found a ready response to the influence of his high standards and enthusiasm in education. In the ten years that followed he greatly improved the school system, more than doubled the high school enrollment, largely by keeping the boys in school, and won the hearty approval and indorsement of the people. While a strict disciplinarian Mr. Harris controlled by his own personality and common sense, never sending a pupil before the board. He built up a corps of teachers greatly superior to the average, mostly home girls, who under his influence developed a capacity for capable, enthusiastic work that was a great factor in the development of high ideals and an efficient school system. The Franklin High School was placed on the “preferred list” by the University of Cincinnati and other leading higher institutions.”
Western Star, Lebanon, Ohio, September 1, 1932. “Fielder B. Harris, for the past 14 years Supt. of the Warren County Schools, retires today after 56 years service in the public schools, all but three in Ohio.
”In 1918 Prof. Harris was tendered by unanimous vote the superintendency of the county schools, and while he greatly regretted leaving Franklin felt the change would give him opportunity for wider service; he entered upon the work with the same enthusiasm, vim, and tireless energy that have always characterized his school career. The results have been excellent and few counties have their schools as well organized, or show finer team work by the local superintendents. In the first general high school scholarship test, held in 1930, Warren county took fifth place among the 88 counties of the state. In retiring Mr. Harris gives up one year of his last contract, feeling the need of getting away from the constant and at times arduous strain of the office. Besides he wishes to complete a family history and attend to some other personal matters for which the county work left him no time.”
Western Star, September 8, 1932. (Under the heading, “A Long and Successful Career”) The retirement of Fielder B. Harris brings to an end a long and successful career in the teaching profession. For the past fourteen years he has served as head of the schools in Warren county, and the high rating given them each year by the State Department attests the high ideals he has effected in the county system. . .
Mr. Harris has ever had the cooperation of the school patrons, evidence of the appreciation and esteem of the entire community. For the people of the county we wish to say that we all wish him many years of happiness and success in the work he chooses to do in retirement.”
On October 12, 1882, Mr. Harris married Addie Warwick, educated in Lebanon, and only child of Albert C. Warwick and his first wife, Mary Sherwood. Mr. Warwick was the son of Josiah and Clarissa (Wood) Warwick. Josiah was the son of Jeremiah and Genesee (Short) Warwick. The maiden name of Clarissa Wood’s mother was Rhoda Crane; the first name of her father not known. The ancestry came to Ohio from near Lexington, Kentucky. Mary Sherwood was the daughter of Henry and Hester A. (Jeffery) Sherwood. Henry, born July 13, 1807 (died 1898) was the son of Thomas Sherwood, born September 18, 1776. His wife was Dorcas, daughter of John and Abigail Bradway. The father of Thomas was Henry Sherwood, whose wife was Elizabeth Williams, of Talbot county, Md. Thomas emigrated to Columbia, now a part of Cincinnati; in 1806 he moved to a farm four miles east of Lebanon, Ohio, where he lived till his death.
Addie developed into a most capable and devoted wife and mother. The “Harris Home” became noted for its hospitality, and as the children grew older for its gatherings of young people. But besides being the homemaker the wife was prominent in church and social affairs and quite a factor in her husband’s success. The first real sorrow to a long happy home came when she was taken suddenly ill with heart trouble in October, 1911. The two younger children were summoned home from college and for weeks she hovered between life and death. She partly recovered but remained a semi-invalid till she passed away, January 16, 1914.
On Aug. 15, 1916, Mr. Harris married a widow, Mrs. Daisy Moore Cropper, of Mexico, Mo. She proved a real home-maker and maintained the former well known hospitality of the house, besides taking an active part in church and social affairs and at times helping with her husband’s work.
As a school man Mr. Harris was a member of the Southwestern Ohio School Superintendents Round Table, the Miami Valley and the Cincinnati Schoolmasters’ Clubs, and County, State, and National Educational Associations, as well as the American Historical and Geographic Societies. Socially he became identified with the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, and Masons, and held the highest offices in each in the West Milton, Ohio, Lodges.
At the age of nineteen he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and ever afterward took an active part in church affairs, serving twenty years as Sunday School teacher and Superintendent. Since his retirement from school work he has been busily engaged on this Family History, in other literary work and in looking after his farm and other business interests.
Since 1922 he has taken his wife and daughter, Edith, on a long auto tour nearly every summer, visiting in that time every state in the union, some of them several times, and great parts of Canada. One of these in 1931 extended 6,000 miles; northwest through the Black Hills to Yellowstone Park, thence to Salt Lake City, and east to Denver, then southeast and home. The longest of all was of 8,000 miles in 1935; southwest to Texas, north to Oklahoma, then westward to San Diego, Southern California–stopping at all points of interest on the way; down into Old Mexico, then northward the full length of our Pacific Coast with many side trips, to Vancouver, British Columbia, then homeward across the northern United States. In his 14 years of county supervision Mr. Harris traveled over 112,000 miles; in all he has driven over 200,000 miles, a distance eight times around the earth.
To Mr. Harris’ first marriage four children were born, all graduating from the West Milton High School while their father was in charge.
1 Clarence Eugene, May 16, 1884. He attended the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, taking there both the B. S. and B. A. Degrees–meantime teaching three years in rural schools. Later he took a bachelor degree from Ohio State University, and work for a master’s degree at the University of Chicago. Beginning in 1900 he taught three years in the high school at Wilmington, Ohio, then went to Plymouth, Indiana, where he became principal of the high school, serving till 1916, when he was chosen principal of the high school at La Porte, Md. In 1919, he accepted a position as Science Teacher in Austin H. S., Chicago, where he has since remained. For several years he has been Laboratory Chairman there in the Sciences and has formulated the questions in science for the examinations of the city teachers. He resides near Napierville, a suburb of Chicago.
In August, 1906, he married Winnie Lillian Brown, only daughter of Harvey Warren Brown, a Methodist minister. To the union were born: a Gilbert Eugene, July 22, 1908. After finishing Wheaton, Ill., H. S. he spent nearly two years at Wheaton College, and then entered the U. S. Army, serving 4 years. After completing the second year in the College of Mines, El Paso, Texas, he became a salesman for the Wilson & Company,
Packers, of that city. On Aug. 2, 1932, he married Gabrielle Menke; lives at El Paso. b Martha Winifred, Sept. 29, 1911. After graduating from Wheaton H. S. she completed the course at Wheaton College, and then decided to take up nursing at the West Suburban Hospital, Oak Park, Ill., completing her training there in 1935. c Elizabeth Sherwood, July 13, 1915. d Oct. 31, 1917. d Richard Warwick, Jan. 22, 1919. e John Warren, March 5, 1921. f Mary Jeanne, Aug. 1, 1923.2 Edith, June 23, 1886. She began teaching in 1904, attended the Wesleyan College at Delaware, Ohio, a year and then taught in the Springboro, Ohio, H. S. two years, meantime taking training in public school music in the summer school at the University of Pittsburgh, Pa. After 1909 she taught in the Middletown, Ohio, schools, having also part charge of the music. For eight years, beginning in 1919, she taught in the Lebanon, Ohio, H. S., directing in part the music. She then spent two full years in the University of Chicago, taking the B. A. Degree, with much work on that of Master. Since then she has been Director of English, South High School, Akron, Ohio.
3 Samuel Albert, April 6, 1888, named after his two grandfathers. He completed the Scientific Course at the Lebanon, Ohio, Normal in 1906, taught rural schools three years, a year in the H. S. at Ft. Scott, Kansas, and one at Carlisle, Ohio, studying meantime during the summers at the University of Chicago. In 1911 he transferred his credits to Yale, entering the Senior Year, and though twice called home by the serious illness of his mother, completed the work for a B. S. Degree, winning a scholarship. He taught a year in Ashtabula, Ohio, H. S., four in that at Mobile, Ala., and when the World War came on served as government chemist at Pittsburgh, Pa. After two years each in the high schools at Duluth, Minn., and Peoria, Ill., he transferred in 1921 to the Lane Technical High School in Chicago, where he has since remained. He lives in Elmhurst, a suburb of Chicago.
On Dec. 29, 1912, he married Amelia Kessler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lorin Kessler, of Greenville, Ohio. To this union were born: a Albert, Jr., 1914. He graduated with honor from Elmhurst H. S. in 1931. He was a great student of nature and an enthusiastic Boy Scout, winning nearly all the medals offered and became an Eagle Scout, serving as instructor in Nature Study at the scouts summer camps. On Oct. 22, while riding a bicycle he was hit by an auto and thrown to the pavement, fracturing his skull. He died Nov. 10, at the Cook County Hospital, Chicago. b A daughter, stillborn, Aug. 21, 1917. c Robert, Aug. 21, 1919.
In Oct., 1922, Amelia passed away. Albert managed to take good care of the motherless boys, some way. On Nov. 12, 1927, he married Marguerite Stromingher. To this union have been born: Twins, d Samuel William, and e James Joseph, Jan. 27, 1930. f Dorothy Louise, Jan. 7, 1932. g Mary Ann, Feb. 12, 1934.
4 Ada Mary, March 23, 1890. She remained at home some years after completing high school, but in 1911 entered the Sargent School of Physical Culture, at Cambridge, Mass., to prepare for playground supervision in public schools. She was soon summoned home by the dangerous illness of her mother, and became her devoted nurse and caretaker till her death. In Dec., 1915, she married William J. J. Miles. The couple remained at her father’s till the next June, when they moved into their own home in Middletown. They had just become nicely settled when the wife was taken suddenly ill, July 4, 1916, and lived but a few hours. She was buried by the side of her mother in Riverside Cemetery, Franklin.
In the fall of 1918 Mr. Miles married Minnie Schultz, whose mother was Emma Snook Schultz, a great grand daughter of Captain Ephraim Kibbey, Pioneer at Columbia, now a part of Cincinnati. (Vol. II). The couple live at Middletown and have four daughters.
