Biography of Henry Jordan Harrison  
The biography of "Henry Jordan Harrison, Son of Joseph and Margaret Harrison", below,was transcribed from a family manuscript titled "Joseph Harrison: A Brief Sketch of His Ancestors and Descendants".  The manuscript was  written in 1975 by Milton L. Wagy, for his brother-in-law, Jerry Harrison.  Jerry Harrison is a descendant of Bazel and Martha (Stillwell) Harrison, by his son Ephraim (both spellings of Ephraim/Ephriam are found in several documents).

 Henry Jordan Harrison
Son of Joseph and Margaret Harrison


    “Henry Jordan Harrison, son of Joseph and Margaret Harrison, was born on February 26, 1872 in Wisconsin; more than likely it was Pierce County.  He spent his childhood in Pierce County, Wisconsin and Goodhue and Wabasha Counties, Minnesota.  As a young man he moved to Morrison County, Minnesota.  Here he married Mary Ellen Eddin on January 19, 1895 at Green Prairie, Morrison County, Minnesota by Justice of the Peace F. D. Hall.  The marriage was witnessed by Elmer R. Hall and Charles Foster.  Mary Ellen Eddin was the daughter of George and Mary Eddin.  She was born at Little Pine, Minnesota.

    The young family moved quite frequently about the eastern part of the state of Minnesota.  Their first child, a girl, was born on November 27, 1895 in St. Paul, Minnesota.  She was named Eland May, but known as Blanche.  Henry Jordan (George) harrison, Jr. was born in Green Prairie, Morrison County, Minnesota on February 2, 1898.  The Jordan was later changed to George.

    The family of four moved to Aitkin and Crow Wing Counties, Minnesota.  Here twins were born on February 13, 1901 at the Ross Lake homestead.  Unfortunately, both Joseph G. and Maggy M. Harrison died in the spring of 1901.  They were buried on the farm.

    While in Minnesota, Henry farmed and logged.  However, he had the moving urge.  Between the years of 1901 and 1920, the family lived in Minnesota, Saskatchewan, Canada, North Dakota, and Montana.  Another baby, Francis was born on July 13, 1903.  Montana brought the last child to the family.  Cleo was born on August 30, 1905.  They were living in Malta, Montana at the this time.

    Mary Ellen Harrison died in Malta, Montana in September 1905, about ten days after Cleo was born.  Cleo was adopted out to the Red Howerton family.  She lived with the Howertons until she married the nephew of Red Howerton.

    Henry, after Mary's death, traveled back to Aitkin County, Minnesota.  Here he remarried on June 25, 1906.  His new wife was Elda Elenaora Frost.  Elda, often called Nora, had been married before, also, and had one son, Leonard.  Elda was the daughter of Edmond P. Liger and Mary Waters both born in Indiana.  Elda was born on January 22, 1875 in Iowa.

    The state of Washington seemed to offer more opportunities.  In 1920 Henry J. Harrison and family arrived in Leavenworth, Chelan County, Washington.  Henry was a logger in the Leavenworth area and was killed in a logging accident in 1925.  His long obituary follows:

"Leavenworth Echo:  Friday, May 1, 1925.

    H.J. Harrison Injured Saturday, Died Sunday.  Foreman of Pond, Had Volunteered Services in Breaking Rollways.
Man of Excellent Character.

    Henry J. Harrison, pond foreman for the Great Northern Lumber Company died Sunday Morning from injuries received Saturday afternoon at about 1:30 at Ray's Landing on the Chiwawa River, where he had gone as a volunteer to assist during the strike in breaking the rollways.

    Mr. Harrison was an experienced logger and river driver, having taken out drives in Minnesota.  he came here with his family some three years ago and was made pond foreman by the Great Northern Lumber Company when the rivermen struck, he volunteered to work at the landings.  Saturday, a splendid mornings work had been done and nearly all the logs on this particular rollway had been gotten into the river, with a cable across the river attached to a "cat".  The logs were on the west bank about 300 feet above the water and the "cat" on the east side.  A "haul-back" cable had been rigged so that after each "pull" the large cable would be drawn back up the rollway.  The cable ran through a block anchored.  Mr. harrison and Ray Norris happened to be working within the space covered by the main cable and the "haul-back" cable and when the anchored cable broke, Mr. Harrison was caught between the "haul-back" cable and a log and his leg sawed off by the cable.  His arm was also broken.  The cable had hit Mr. Norris on the back of his head, but had then gone over his head.  He was knocked down, receiving no greater injury than a severe welt or bruise.  He jumped up immediately and tried to assist Mr. Harrison, but the injury was done so quickly that avoiding it was impossible.

    Herman Metz was across the river from the rollway at the "donkey" engine and happened to be looking at the men and saw the accident.  He went to Plain at once and phoned Dr. Lessing who went out and did everything possible on the grounds for the injured man who was brought to the Cascade Sanitarium in Mr. Gardner's car.  The injury and shock was so great that Mr. Harrison never rallied, his pulse being so feeble that it could not be felt, and death came as above noted.

    The breaking of the cable was purely accidental and there is no suspicion that it had been tampered with.  Working within "the bite of the line" (ground which may be swept by the cable if the overhead block gave way, as in this instance) when the line is being drawn, is always a mistake or probably would not have occurred but for the fact that this particular rollway was about cleaned up.

    Mr. Harrison was a man of sterling character, a man who could be depended upon at all times to do his duty as he saw it, and his judgment was good.  His standing with the community was of the highest and he will indeed be missed by those who recognized and appreciated worth.

    The deceased was born in Wisconsin, February 26, 1872, where his youthful days were spent.  He worked in the woods of that state and in Minnesota.  His first wife had died and he was married a short time later, June 25, 1906, at Aitkin, Minnesota to Mrs. Elda Elenora Frost, who with the following children surviving:  Mrs. Blanche Witherel, Henry G. harrison, Frank L. Harrison, Mrs. Cleo Howerton and Leonard Frost all residing here.  The Harrison home being west of the crossing to the Cascade orchard Bridge, first district.

    Mr. Harrison is also survived by brothers and sisters as follows: Frank, Ephriam, Gilman and William Harrison living in Minnesota, Joe Harrison in Idaho, Mrs. Myrtle Masters and Mrs. Grace Moore of california, Mrs. Alma Spawn in South Dakota and Mrs. Tom (Alice) Miley of North Dakota.  His (step) mother, Mrs. Jane Harrison, also survives.

    The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 from the Fireman's Hall in Leavenworth.  The hall had been appropriately decorated with apple blossoms and the casket was banked with magnificent wreaths and flowers.

    The services opened with the song "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" by a quartet composed of Alfred Derby, Deryl Motteler, George Hathaway, and Leland Allis, with Mrs. Derby at the piano and was followed by prayer by Rev. A.E. Derby.  Mr. O.F. Garner then read from the Bible and gave a very impressive funeral address concluding with prayer.  Mrs. H.R. Hobson from the Wenatchee Office of the Company sung, "Lead Kindly Light" and Mr. Derby offered prayer.

    Burial was made in the Leavenworth Cemetery.  Mr. Hobson sang and Rev. Derby committed the body to the grave.

    The pallbearers were Z.B. Hoyt, J.T. Aherns, Thomas Fouts, Goe. Hoyt, Henry Karp, and Albert Anderson and those acting as ushers were E.E. Jones and C.L. Erickson.

    Some 300 people were present at the funeral, the mill and factory of the Company being closed down for the afternoon and the business places of the city closing during the funeral hour.  (May 8, 1925, Thank you Notice in the Echo, from Mrs. H.J. Harrison and family.)"

    Henry Jordan Harrison was buried April 28, 1925.  He was 53 years, 2 months old.

    Elda E. Harrison lived until April 25, 1936.  She died in Leavenworth, Washington from Bronchial Pneumonia.  Elda was 61 years, 3 months, 5 days old and was buried in the Old Leavenworth Cemetery on April 28, 1936 beside her husband, Henry Jordan Harrison."

Special thanks to Milton L. Wagy for his assistance with this branch of the Ephraim Harrison family.

This web page is authored by Scott Duncan.  All information listed without a reference should be verified.  Any additions, questions, or comments should be sent to:


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