Hannah (Harrison) Sager taken from an album that was owned by her granddaughter Hettie (Roberts) Soule. Photo contributed by Bob Keldgord.
15.1 Hannah
Rachel Harrison, born on 25 January 1796 in Ninevah, Frederick
County, Virginia and died on 6 May 1875 at the home of her son, Ferd Sager
in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. She is buried in Gilson Cemetery,
Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. She was married on 8
November 1814, in Jefferson
County, Ohio to Frederick
John Sager. He was born on 29 Mar 1774, in Lancaster
County, Pennsylvania and died 31 August 1852, in Kalamazoo County,
Michigan, and is also buried in Gilson Cemetery. His parents were
Dr.
John George "George" Sager and Elizabeth Sheets.
The Sager's were a prominent family and helped to lead Joseph's family and other branches into successful businesses and settlements. Fred purchased land in Survey 3,686 located in Jerome Township, on the east bank of Big Darby Creek. He built the first gristmill in the territory comprising of Union County. He was unable to find a stone suitable for the buhrs, after finding one it took months of hard, tedious work to shape it. Word went out and settlers and Native Indians alike brought their grain to be ground. Later a sawmill was added to his power and manufacturing lumber which was in great demand by the settlers. Brother-in-law's and cousins of his wife (Judge Bazel's children) requested they make the move to Kalamazoo and in 1835, they moved their family and other Harrison kin. He built another mill and operated this successfully until his death in 1852. The Sager's appear on the 1837 Michigan State Census in Comstock Township, and in 1840 show in Prairie Ronde Township. Hannah had auburn hair and raised several of her grandchildren as her own after the deaths of their mothers and fathers. In 1860, she is listed as head of household in Climax Township, and her daughter, Louisa and family are living with her. She and her daughter operated a tailoring and seamstress shop. In 1870, Hannah continues to reside in Climax Township, living with her son, Ferd and family. A sawmill worker, E.H. Reed also is residing with the family. Large oval portraits were mentioned in 1912, during the time Hannah's nephew (15.8.12) Keg Harrison was putting together a family history, these portraits were reproduced and added to Keg's book. The originals were with grandchildren of Hannah's living in Harrison, Montana (a settlement started by a Henry Harrison of Ohio, and many of the Sager's, Soule's, Harrison's, and Roe's moved here as early as 1850 to seek their fortune in mining). There are many notations and statements eluding to a connection to the James River Harrisons in family archives. The following is the strongest claim identified by this branch of the family; (in a journal in the possession of Clyde Sager of Oregon) Eli's journal recounted his mother telling of an event of her childhood when the family went to a plantation in Virginia for a family gathering. He hinted that the James River shirt tales were included. He stated his mother said, "William Henry Harrison was a second cousin of hers."
Hannah Rachel Harrison and Frederick John Sager family data compiled by Justin Herbst, Clyde Sager, Kathleen Sones, Irene Townsend, and Loraine Washburn.
15.2 Benjamin Aion Harrison, was born on 21 January 1799 in Frederick County, Virginia, and died on 13 December 1847 in the village of Bronson now Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He married Jane Stilwell on 21 February 1822 in Champaign County (now Logan County), Ohio (reference Alice Stillwell Newsletter Issue #9, Ohio Marriages); Jane was born on 12 May 1804 possibly in Maryland, and also died on 13 December 1847 in the village of Bronson.
Benjamin Aion Harrison and his wife Jane (Stilwell) Harrison are both buried in the South West Street Cemetery. The following is from “Kalamazoo’s First Cemetery 1833-1862”, Research by Robert N. Brewer, published by the Kalamazoo Genealogical Society, 1987:
“Harrison, Benjamin* d 12 Dec 1847, 48y of congestive disorder; b 21 Jan 1799; h/o Jane; came to Bronson in 1835. The Harrison’s owned a farm extending from the present Harrison St. to the Kalamazoo River.Benjamin Aion Harrison moved with his family to Union County, Ohio in 1817. He worked as a millwright and was employed by his sister, Hannah Harrison Sager and husband, Fred. Ben had some military training and was said to be a fantastic writer and architect. He moved his family to Prairie Ronde Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan in 1830. He does appear as the head of household in the 1830 Federal Census of Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio. In 1834, the family moved to the village of Bronson, (which later became the city of Kalamazoo) Michigan. His land dealings were the following: W1/2-SW1/4 80 acres Sec 13 5 August 1831; NW1/4-NE1/4 40 acres Sec 34 7 Dec 1836; W1/2 of SW1/2 Sec 13 Twp 3 Range 9W 1 May 1839. Ben and Jane both died 13 Dec 1847, in Bronson as a result of an epidemic of spinal meningitis. Their youngest, George Milton, was immediately taken by his sister, Sally Bailey to be reared until further accommodations could be met. Notes from the compiling of Keg Harrison's book: "the family had located two portraits and were obtaining reproductions of Benjamin and Jane, also some letters that Benjamin had written to his mother, Bathsheba Harrison. These items were in the possession of Arvilla Archer's family. (this information dates from about 1912)".
Sources: KG 12/17/1847 and SW Cem 17.Harrison, Jane* d 13 Dec 1847 of congestive disorder; b May 12 1804; w/o Benjamin.
Sources: SW Cem 17 and KG 12/17/1847.* Denotes his/her stone contained a readable inscription in 1882, when cemetery was converted into a park."
Benjamin A. and Jane Stilwell family data compiled by Justin Herbst, Irene Townsend, Loraine Washburn, Mary Triplett Ayers and Jean Richardson.
15.3 Moses Isaiah Harrison, was born about 15 October 1801 in either Virginia or Pennsylvania and died on 24 July 1834, in Delaware County, Ohio. He is buried in Old Mill Creek Cemetery, in Concord Township, Ohio. He married Mary "Polly" Lookingbill on 23 September 1824, in Union County, Ohio. She was born on 25 October 1803 and died on 30 May 1870. She is buried in Harrison Cemetery, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Her parents were John and Margaret Lookingbill. "Polly" married (2nd) Nathan Soule, (the brother of Aaron Soule, the husband of (15.9) Elizabeth Roxena Harrison Soule). The information of Moses is pretty scant. He is listed as head of household in Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio on the 1830 Federal Census. Little is known about Moses. He may have had other children; the following info was found:
From Union Co., Ohio Common Pleas Court Records Abstract
"John Harrison, 18 on 11-18-1844, Margaret Harrison, 14 on 11-20-1844Moses is noted as being wiped out by an epidemic that killed many of the other family members. It is noted in the family history that his widow, Mrs. Nathan Soule and his children settled later in Calhoun County, Michigan.
children of Moses Harrison, deceased, chose Adam Richey as Guardian, Security
William Richey, Joseph Bexton $1000 appt. Adam Richey guardian of Aaron
Harrison, 12 on 1-13-1845, $200. (339)"
Moses Isaiah Harrison and Mary "Polly" Lookingbill family data compiled by Justin Herbst, Irene Townsend, and Lorraine Washburn.
15.4 Joseph William Harrison II, was born on 13 November 1803 in Fallowfield Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania and died on 8 December 1851 in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He is buried in Harrison Cemetery in Climax, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He married Lydia Ann Roe on 5 December 1824, in Mill Creek Township, Union County, Ohio. She was born on 7 October 1805 in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and died on 21 September 1872, and is also buried in Harrison Cemetery. She was the daughter of Jeremiah Roe I and his second wife, Catherine May.
Joseph William II and Lydia Roe family data compiled by Justin Herbst, Irene Townsend, Lorraine Washburn, Gladys Dickerson, Marcella Swan, Celia Schreiber and Joyce Kedziora.
15.5 Aaron Shadrack Harrison, was born on 11 November 1805 in either Washington County, Ohio or Kentucky and died on 19 August 1871, in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He is buried in Harrison Cemetery, Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He married Margaret Lookingbill, the daughter of John and Margaret Lookingbill on 12 February 1827, near Marysville, Union County, Ohio. She was born on 2 January 1809, in Pennsylvania, and died on 28 October 1888, in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and is also buried in Harrison Cemetery.
Aaron is listed as settling with his father, Joseph and brothers in Union County, Ohio in 1818. It appears the family may have been there a tad earlier as the youngest (15.10) Fred, was born there in 1817. Aaron's father-in-law, John Lookingbill is also listed as settling around the same time. Aaron is head of household in the 1830 Federal Census in Mill Creek Township, Union County, Ohio. The family moved to Kalamazoo County, Michigan in 1839, appearing in the 1840 Federal Census in Pavillion Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. In the 1860 Federal Census, Aaron is the head of the household still living in Pavillion Township, however there are two young children; Joseph Elliott, age 1 and Emily Davis, age 7 living with them.. The Harrisons were famous for hosting family, even very distant relatives. The Emily Davis entry is very interesting. On the 1870 census Aaron is listed as a retired farmer, he and Margaret and son, John, as well as John's future wife, Luella Earle are listed in Hiram and Mary Harrison Chipman's household. Aaron died the following year. Margaret is listed as living in the household of Frederick Pierce in the 1880 Federal Census of Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Margaret and Aaron's family were very close with Alexander Harrison I and his family, and 2 months of the year Aaron and Alex's mother, Bathsheba would live with Aaron, the rest of the year was spent at Aleck's. Aaron's grandson, Solomon W. Butler wrote a in a letter dating nearly 100 years ago from Cottonwood, California, "As I have always understood Judge Bazel Harrison of Prairie Ronde was a full cousin (1st or 2nd) of William Henry Harrison (the 9th President) and of course.. I know that old Uncle Billy Harrison of Climax was son of Judge Bazel." He also notes that his "grandpa Aaron and old uncle Eleck (Alex I) would be related to the president the same relationship as Billy" (note--we have photos of Margaret Lookingbill Harrison, and her children, America, Louisa, Galena, Elsa, John and Billy Harrison). It has been mentioned that Aaron and some of his older children or son-in-law's accompanied Alex Harrison I's trip to the California Gold Rush (because so many of Joseph's grandchildren were early settlers of California, there seems to be much substantial evidence to support this statement).
Aaron Shadrack Harrison and Margaret Lookingbill family data compiled by Justin Herbst, Irene Townsend and Ruth McCamen.
15.6 America Diana Harrison, was born on 22 November 1807 in Jefferson County, Ohio and died on 8 November 1873 in Charleston Township (Kalamazoo County) Michigan. She married William “Uncle Billy” Harrison on 20 March 1828 in Union County Ohio. He was born on 17 January 1791 possibly in Frederick County, Maryland, the son of Bazel and Martha (Stillwell) Harrison. America (photo) died on 8 November 1873, and Uncle Billy died on 25 April 1887 in Charleston Township, Kalamazoo County Michigan. They are both buried in Roof Cemetery in Climax, Michigan.
15.7 Columbia Ephraim Harrison, was born in 1809 in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio and died on 28 January 1896 in St. Marys Township, Adams County, Indiana. He is buried in Old Mt. Tabor Cemetery, in Pleasant Mills, Indiana. He married Catherine Mary "Kate" Roe. "Kate" was born on 2 August 1811, in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and died on 29 October 1878, in St. Marys Township, Adams County, Indiana, and is also buried in Old Mt. Tabor Cemetery. She was the daughter of Jeremiah Roe II and Jane Grove, born in 1809, in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio. Columbia known as "Clum" and sometimes referred to as "Clem." He was reared in Jefferson County, Ohio, and from there the family removed to Union County, Ohio. The family moved around quite a bit, but more for exploration purposes. It was well established that Columbia worked on General Harrison (William Henry Harrison, the 9th President's) Millbrook farm for a while as a young man. This was mentioned by several of his adult children while the family history was researched in 1912, one even produced some sort of contract agreement as proof. Columbia was an extremely simple man, his honesty and virtue were extremely important to him. He and Kate kept to themselves and remained in the Adams County, Indiana settlement. This was founded by Kate's father, Jeremiah Roe II and his siblings. Many of the families moved on to Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and began exploring Montana, California, and Iowa (in the late 1840's to early 1850's). Columbia may have done some exploring but it seems he and Kate and family did not travel far from Adams County. Many of the relatives lived in extremely rugged conditions. In 1900s some families were still living in the crude log cabins they built when first settling in the 1830s. Adams County always remained Roe headquarters as Kalamazoo County was home to all Harrison's. Many of Columbia and Kate's nieces and nephews visited them often. The next generation began exploring the family colonies, however not with the wild abandonment of the other branches. (Some of their children got swept up in the adventure.) Columbia and Kate were extremely close to their siblings, Alex and Bett who had also married, and with Joseph II and his wife, Lydia Ann (who was an aunt to Kate and Bett). After Kate's passing, Clum frequented Kalamazoo County, Michigan area, and the last years of his life he and brothers, Alex and Fred and brother-in-law's, Aaron Soule and Billy Harrison summered at cabins near Van Buren County, Michigan and spent about 3 months together fishing. There is a notice in The Decatur Democrat dated 30 Jan 1896, and states: "Columbia Harrison, one of the oldest settlers in Adams county, died Tuesday night. He first located here in 1830, bringing his family two years later, since which time he has always lived here. He is also a second cousin of General Harrison. The funeral services will occur Saturday from Mt. Tabor church."
Compiled by Justin Herbst, Irene Townsend, Loraine Washburn, Anoli Walters Mann, and Sally Richmond.
15.8 Alexander Jordan Harrison I, (photo) was born on 8 November 1811 near Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio and died on 18 August 1887 in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He is buried in (his cemetery) Harrison Cemetery, in Climax, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He married Elizabeth Jane “Betsy” Roe (photo) on 2 January 1830, near Marysville, Union County, Ohio. She was born on 14 February 1813, in Wayne Township, Fayette County, Ohio. "Betsy" died on 18 November 1887, and is also buried in Harrison Cemetery. "Betsy" was the daughter of Jeremiah Roe II and his first wife, Mary Jane "Jane" Grove. Always known as "Alex" or "Eleck," he stood over 6 feet tall and had a very solid, muscular build. He wore his hair very long as a young man, and at the time of his marriage his mother presented his wife, "Bett" with the long locks. Alex and family lived in the Union County, Ohio area the first year of their marriage, and shortly thereafter removed to Bett's families settlement located in Adams County, Indiana. The Roe family settled the Union County settlement about the same time as the Harrisons and the families made strong alliances, traveling, marrying and exploring westward. Bett's father, Jeremiah Roe II (1783-1864) was a veterinarian and farmer.Alexander Jordan Harrison I and Elizabeth Jane Roe in Climax, Michigan in 1855, in honor of their 25th wedding anniversary. Photo courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst
Jeremiah Roe II raised twenty seven children and was married five times. His first wife, "Jane" Grove was Bett's (as well as Kate Roe's mother, the wife of 15.7 Columbia Harrison) mother and was the daughter or granddaughter of an Indian lady named Dancing Sun. Bett was trained by Dancing Sun to be the herbalist for the family, served as a midwife, and also assisted her father as veterinarian. The Harrison's moved to South Climax, Michigan in 1835, and established a homestead. Alex had such a sense of family that he had his own cemetery on his property where many of his family, siblings and cousins were buried.
Alex was an explorer traveling westward with many of the Roe and Harrison families, instigating many of the trips. As a young man, Alex traveled as an entertainer in a traveling show, serving as a banjo player and showing off his strength. He was known as "The Physique". Some of the other Harrison's, Sager's and Power's accompanied Alex on this endeavor (the following generation traveled with the circus).
Alex traveled to California in 1849 to strike it rich in the Gold Rush. They stopped in Montana where some Roe and Sager relatives had previously established a settlement. Alex also visited some Roe's in 1850 in Jones County, Iowa, and reportedly this trip lead to the establishment of what would later become Harrisonville.
The Harrisons treated their family extremely well and seemed to be the hub for all of the other branches. They had strong ties with all branches (the least inter-action was with the families of Benjamin and Moses' ). They also had very close ties with Billy and America Harrison, as well as Elizabeth and Aaron, and due to the close relationships with the Roe's, Columbia and Kate, Joseph II and Lydia, and Fred and Lou they became very clannish branches.
Bett took care of all the family members who became ill including her mother-in-law, Bathsheba (who was blind the last years of her life); Bett's brother, Mize Roe; and they even had some of America's grandchildren living with them for a while. They also raised their grandson, Cilbert. Whomever needed a home found a place with Alex and Bett. In 1854, a stranger took ill and was brought to Bett to heal, he never was well enough to state his name and upon his death Alex buried him in his cemetery marking his grave with a stone and titled "The Stranger."
Alex placed large amounts of money into the Harrisonville settlement located at Hinton, Iowa, and made a few trips to help establish the colony. He kept the vision of family colonies alive and helped to influence explorations into Texas, Montana, and South Dakota (Alex's sons continued into Canada, and Washington). Alex died and months later, Bett passed away, the family stated she died of a broken heart. Both Alex and Bett were extremely proud of their close relationships the with native Indians, and grandchildren have told that there was a time when the Harrison farm served as a safe haven for escaping slaves.
Compiled by Justin Herbst, Irene Townsend, Loraine Washburn, Marie Mackey, Celia Schreiber, Herman Van DeBogart, Clara Stephey, Iona Ward, John Donnell, Marge Green and Hazel Cober.
Alexander and Bett's family have thousands of archived photo's, and histories on all of the family. The third edition (third printing) of the book titled, "The Harrison's A Bridge Over Time.", documents this great family.
15.9 Elizabeth Roxena "Betsey" Harrison was born in 1813, in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio, and died on 20 April 1885, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. She is buried in Harrison Cemetery, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. She married Aaron David Soule I (the son of Aaron Soule and Elizabeth Delano) on 8 September 1833, in Marysville, Union County, Ohio. Aaron was born on 19 July 1811in Jay, New York, and died on 6 April 1891, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and is also buried in Harrison Cemetery in Climax Township. Elizabeth Harrison was always known as "Betsey". She was extremely close to her mother, Bathsheba, and they both were interested in current events, and advancing their intellectual knowledge. Betsey taught many of the family members how to read and write, and her brother Alex, opened up his home and paid her a salary out of his own pocket to teach the family and neighbors during the first years of the Kalamazoo County, Michigan settlement. She continued using his home to teach up until 1850. Aaron Soule, was of Mayflower ancestry, and met Betsey in Ohio. Aaron's brother, Nathan Soule married Betsey's sister-in-law, Polly Lookingbill Harrison (widow of (15.3) Moses Harrison). Aaron assimilated well with the Harrison clan and enjoyed exploring the west with his brother-in-law's. The Soule's made the move to Michigan months after Alex and Bett's arrival and set up at their farm until they settled a location in the neighborhood. The Soule's helped to establish many of the family settlements. They influenced Harrisonville (Hinton), Iowa, and Gordon, Nebraska. They also assisted in Hill City, South Dakota, Texas and Montana. Both Aaron and Betsey had visited the Harrisonville settlement. The population of Lincoln Township increased during the 1870-80s from a German base to the Harrison family. Many of the Harrisons close friends also visited Harrisonville. The Germans called them "The Michigan Crowd". Census or county records can not capture the influx of people because the relatives were so transient. (15.8.9) Ben Harrison could house up to 200 people at his place "Harrisonville headquarters," and his brother, (15.8.12) Keg had the capacity to host 50 folks alone in his cave. The Soule's also assisted in Colorado (Colorado Springs) and Saskatchewan. Betsey and Aaron both spent their final years in Kalamazoo County, Michigan and were buried in her brother, Alexander's cemetery in Climax Township.
Betsey (Harrison) and husband, Aaron Soule I, photo Submitted by Bob Keldgord.
Soule family data compiled by Justin Herbst, Irene Townsend, Loraine Washburn, Florence Keenan, Kathleen Sones, and Celia Schreiber.
15.10 Frederick "Fred" Bethannah Harrison was born on 1 December 1817, in Mill Creek Township, Union County Ohio and died on 5 May 1885, in Van Buren County, Michigan. He is buried in Lincoln Township Cemetery, in Hinton, Plymouth County, Iowa. Frederick married (1st) Ali Abigail Stilwell, they had one son:
(15.10.1) James "Jim" Frederick Harrison born in 1844, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and died in 1917, Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michgan. "Jim" took over his father's Wakeshma Township. farm. He visited the family settlements often, and stayed in Harrisonville for awhile. His children worked as farm laborers in the Harrisonville, Gordon, and Backus settlements. Jim's wife, "Addie" was from the same Knapp family that Jess Knapp (the husband of Lida Mae Soule (daughter of Galen and Sarah Sager Soule)) was from adding a sense of family closeness. Jim ailed for many years and he went to his aunt, Bett Roe Harrison for treatment. Long after her death he corresponded with Bett's son, (15.8.12) Keg Harrison for some of her recipes. Jim died in Wakeshma Township and was reared by several relatives including his uncle Aleck and Bett, as well as living with Betsey and Aaron Soule."Fred" married (2nd) Lucretia C. "Lou" Roe on 4 April 1850, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan (marriage certificate). Lou was born on 9 June 1830, in Root Township, in Adams County, Indiana, and died on 18 August 1913, in Murray County, Minnesota. She is also buried in Lincoln Township Cemetery. "Lou" was the daughter of of Jonathan Roe I and Lucretia Van Valkenburg.
Compiled by Justin Herbst, Irene Townsend, Loraine Washburn, Celia Schreiber, Hank and Sandy Harrison, and Jeff Nash.
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