This is the Jeremiah "Wig" Harrison homestead, in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. The photo was taken July 7th, 1899, and pictures Lyman with his grandmother, Mary Jane (Titus) Harrison. This farm remained in the family with Harrison living in this same home up until 1996, when Mrs. Walter (Bondalyn Parlin) Harrison, passed away.
Photo courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst.
Eli Harrison and his uncle, Sam Harrison, taken 1874, while at the circus.
The family performed with traveling circuses. This photo was thought to be
taken while in Climax, Michigan. Eli was the oldest son of Jeremiah and Mary
Jane (Titus) Harrison. Eli was only a year older than his uncle, Sam.
Eli Harrison with his wife, Mary Jane Conrad, daughter, Nellie Jane and son,
Lyman Harrison, taken in Vicksburg, Michigan in 1885. Eli's family lived in
the vicinity of his grandparents, Alex and Bett, and his children remember
helping their great grandparents in the garden and maintaining the family
cemetery.
Photos courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst.
(15.8.2.1) Eli Harrison,
was born on 3 February 1857, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan
and died on 5 April 1912 in Fulton, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He
is buried North Fulton Cemetery, in Fulton, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.
Eli married Mary Jane Conrad on 1 July 1876, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo
County, Michigan. mary Jane was born on 24 September 1857, in Troy,
Geauga County, New York and died on 16 May 1914, in Wakeshma Township,
Kalamazoo County, Michigan. She is also buried in North Fulton Cemetery.
Mary Jane was the daughter of George and Jane Conrad. Eli was named
in honor of his father's best friend and cousin, Eli Sager. He was
reared on the family farm, and he took over the operation, never moving
off the land accept for a few explorations. As a young lad he enjoyed
hunting and exploring, especially with his uncle, Sam Harrison (Sam was
a year younger than his nephew.) As young men, the two traveled with
the family entertainment act, and Eli loved to sing and fiddle. Eli's
dad kept a close eye on him as he did not want him to be a wanderer, and
got him involved in threshing so that he did not have time for the "foolishness."
Eli was of a smaller build, and stood under 5'10", and as he grew older
became rather stocky. He had brown hair, blue eyes, and an olive
skin tone. Eli was a hard worker, and thanks to his father's guidance
very serious about his faith. He would speak on Sundays or at the
revivals, and was an expert on the "gospel," as the family would go to
him for advice or to conduct ceremonies. Eli married Mary Jane Conrad,
whom had moved to Wakeshma in the spring of 1863, with her parents and
brother, Charles. The young couple settled into farming. Eli
went with the men in the family on hunting trips into Canada, and around
Iowa and Montana. They were the parents of two children; Lyman Clinton
and Nellie Jane. The family lived east of Hinton, Iowa, for a short
period of time with his uncle, Keg and aunt Celia. They returned
a short time after. Eli was even tempered, and Mary was a patient
companion. Even though he never moved to Montana, this is where his
heart resided, he called it "God's country." His daughter, Nellie,
settled here, not far from where Eli had lived awhile and where his brother,
Ell lived. After Mary's mother died, they took in her widowed father
at Eli's insistence. The grandchildren who could remember Eli said
he was a devoted family man, he had a lot of faith, and he spoke gently
and lovingly to them. Eli had a heart condition for years.
He died April 5th, 1912, at his homestead. Mary continued to live
with her son and family, and they took great care of her. She was
a small build, and had frail health her entire life. Her obituary
mentioned the following, " From childhood she was frail, suffering all
her life more physical ills than any mortal could withstand without the
help from above to endure, yet always cheery through the most severe pains,
looking on the sunny side of life. Her affections and thoughtfulness
for her children and grandchildren can not be overestimated. Even
in her illness the little darlings received glances of welcome whenever
near her bedside. The last five weeks of suffering were borne by
her great courage and bravery in the old home with her son, Lyman's folks
ever most thoughtful of the loving hands who so tenderly cared for her."
Mary died May 16th, 1914, and the funeral was held in the Reformed Church
at 2 pm, Tuesday , May 19th, 1914. Their two children were:
Mary Jane Conrad Harrison with Lyman holding Lola, George held by his mother, Sarah Young Harrison, Ruth standing. Seated on the bottom step, Walter, Unah and Nina Harrison, at the farm, 1912.
Photo courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst.
(15.8.2.1.1) Lyman Clinton Harrison, was born on 12 March 1879, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and died on 23 August 1930, in Fulton, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He is buried North Fulton Cemetery, Fulton, Michigan. Lyman married Sarah Mabel Young on 12 March 1899, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Sarah was born on 16 August 1881, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and died on 25 July 1947, in Fulton, Michigan. She is also buried North Fulton Cemetery. Fulton, Michigan. Sarah was the daughter of Joseph Young and Mary Ellen Shook. Their children were:(15.8.2.1.1.1) Ruth Lillian Harrison married Forrest Reimer Snyder (her obituary).
(15.8.2.1.1.2) Unah Mabel Harrison married (1st) Verne Riggles and (2nd) Frank Hayward.
(15.8.2.1.1.3) Walter Eli Harrison married Bondalyn Parlin.
(15.8.2.1.1.4) Nina May Harrison married Charles Edward Jenkins.
(15.8.2.1.1.5) Lola Irene Harrison married Leslie Roland Gould.
(15.8.2.1.1.6) George Lowell Harrison married Marjorie Woodworth.
(15.8.2.1.1.7) Leah Ellen Harrison married Carleton Lyle Chichester.
(15.8.2.1.1.8) Julia Helen Harrison married (1st) Russell Hollister and (2nd) Max Catherman.
(15.8.2.1.1.9) Dorothy Ann Harrison married Merle Lyle Hammond.Nellie Harrison Copley, her brother, Lyman, and their parents, Eli and Mary taken in 1906.
Photo courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst.
(15.8.2.1.2) Nellie Jane Harrison, was born on 30 August 1880, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and died on 23 January 1947, in Conrad, Montana. Nellie married Earl Copley. They had four children.(15.8.2.2) Edgar Allen Harrison, was born on 3 August 1862, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and died on 20 May 1865, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He is buried at his grandfather's cemetery, Harrison cemetery, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Edgar Allen died as a young child. His name, birth and death record were proudly remembered and recorded in all of his siblings family bibles. He supposedly died from smallpox. His parents always carried a small leather case, and when opened the contents included a photo of Edgar and a lock of his hair.
Miran Alexander Harrison, taken in Vicksburg, Michigan in 1886. Always known as "Ell," he traveled around all of the family settlements and loved exploring the west.
Ell Harrison, taken circa 1910, while visiting his cousin, Ben Van De Bogart
in Aylesbury, Saskatchewan, Canada. Ell lived in Montana, and the last years
of his life went from settlement to settlement, and went on constant fishing
and hunting trips.
Photos courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst.
(15.8.2.3) Miran Alexander
Harrison, was born on 28 August 1864, in Wakeshma Township,
Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Always known as "Ell Harrison," and occasionally
referred to as "Lec," he was cut from the true Harrison spirit, he was
constantly rambling. Ell had a fair complexion, sandy blonde hair,
light gray eyes, and the distinctive Harrison nose with a bump on the ridge.
He worked on his uncles Ben and Keg's farms in Harrisonville, Iowa.
He was devilish, and a great athlete winning many wrestling matches.
From Iowa, he went to Great Bend and Dodge City, Kansas. He hung
out with an interesting element here, and the relatives recall visiting
him and remembered he was wearing guns on his belt. Uncle Sam along
with his nephews, Cilbert, Oscar Harrison, Ben and Fred VanDeBogart, and
Hart Selbee, got into quite a bit of trouble when visiting Ell. On
one visit, Alexander II along with J.A. Wright (husband of Henrietta Sager
Wright) were called to help get some of the family to safety in Gordon,
Nebraska, and no one in the family would comment on the situation, and
no one frequented the area again. Ell moved back to Michigan,
and assisted on the family farm, living there and caring for his mother's
financial needs until 1901, when he removed to some land his father had
claimed in Montana. Ell could be found at all of the settlements,
usually ranching or working in the timber industry. He supposedly
even went to Idaho, and worked a few seasons with sons of John Strange
Harrison, but from there went back to Montana, and lived seasons with family
in Aylesbury, Saskatchewan area. A great nephew recalled asking Ell
about his life, and he loved to tell the tales. He said, "Why didn't
you ever marry, settle down and have a family?" Ell responded, "Never
had the time," and winked and said, "who said I didn't have any kids?"
He indeed was a true character.
This photo of Effie May and Perry Harrison was taken in April 1917, at a party in honor of Frances (Barnes) and Alexander Roe's 50th wedding anniversary.
Photo courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst.
(15.8.2.4) Perry Harrison,
was born on 5 January 1867, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan
and died in 1930, in Fulton, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Perry is buried
in North Fulton Cemetery in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Perry married
Effie May Cramer in 1903, she was born in 1870 and died in 1952, in Fulton,
Michigan and is also buried in North Fulton Cemetery. Perry Harrison,
was born minutes before his twin sister, Carrie. The two were extremely
pampered, and because of this had extremely different outlooks on life
compared to the rest of their siblings. Perry was named in honor
of a brother of his grandmother, Bett Roe Harrison's, Perry Roe.
Perry lived at Harrisonville, working on his uncle Keg's farm as a laborer
for many years. Perry was short and stocky, had dark hair and complexion.
He was usually easy going, but when upset his temper was short. He
married in his 36th year of life, and he and Effie raised their 3 sons,
in the LeRoy area. Perry favored the Roe side of the family, and
spent a lot of time with this branch of the family. He helped organize
the great Harrison-Selbee-Roe reunions holding offices, and preserving
the family history. Their children were:
(15.8.2.4.1) Harold Harrison married Dorothy Barnabee.
(15.8.2.4.2) Scott Harrison married Alice Martens.
(15.8.2.4.3) William Henry Harrison married Ruth Martens.
This photo of Carrie (Harrison) Fenwick, was taken in 1888, in Vicksburg,
Michigan. Carrie was the only daughter born to Jeremiah and Mary Jane Titus Harrison.
(15.8.2.5) Carrie Harrison, was born on 5 January 1867, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and died on 12 February 1938, in Fulton, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. She is buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Carrie married John Henry Fenwick on 30 December 1890, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. John was born on 10 October 1860 and died on 17 January 1935, in Climax Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, he is also buried in Prairie Home Cemetery. Carrie, was referred to as a "Black Roe," which meant her characteristics favored their coloring of dark hair, dark eyes and an olive complexion. Carrie was a bright lady, who loved to read and learn. She was always interested in the family history. As a girl she spent a lot of time listening to the tales of her grandparents, Alex and Bett. Carrie took it a step further and recorded all family history, and treasured all of the family photos and memorabilia she acquired, not just from her branch but other branches of the Roe and Harrison family. Carrie had traveled to the Harrisonville, Iowa settlement, but always lived in the Kalamazoo County area. Her husband, John's family, came to America from England. Many in his family assembled into the Harrison family. Carrie's first cousin, Betty VanDeBogart married Ira Fenwick, and Carrie's first cousin, Charlotte VanDeBogart Roe's daughter, Lottie married another Fenwick. Upon Carrie's uncle, Keg Harrison's passing in Iowa in 1925, Keg's wife, Celia, sent large trunks with the family history and photographs Keg had assembled together to produce a large leather bound family history that was embossed in leather with "The Harrison's" on the cover in 1912. Few books were produced, only 10 or 12, and this book had been published by Perkins Brothers in Sioux City, Iowa. Carrie gave Russell Fenwick a large scrapbook filled with hundreds of family clippings dating from 1880 up until her death. This was truly a treasure. Her family has been contacted but no one knew the whereabouts of her vast collection. Their children were:Photo courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst.
(15.8.2.5.1) Lee Fenwick
married Margurite Garms Billeck.
(15.8.2.5.2) Guy Fenwick
married Anna Gilson.
(15.8.2.5.3) Gunther Fenwick.
(15.8.2.5.4) Jeremiah Merle
"Jack" Fenwick married Mildred Scott.
This photo is of Orlie Harrison with his wife, Grace Stock, and their only
child, Ivan. Pictured with them is Orlie's favorite uncle, Keg and his wife,
Celia Harrison in 1912. Orlie thought of Keg as a father figure after the
death of his dad, Jeremiah, and had spent several years living on Keg's
Hinton, Iowa farm.
Photo of Orlie Harrison, taken circa 1935, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Photos courtesy of "The Harrisons...A Bridge Over Time", by Justin Herbst.
(14.8.2.6) Orlin Miner Harrison,
was born on 16 March 1875, in Wakeshma Township, Fulton, Kalamazoo County,
Michigan and died on 5 November 1936, in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County,
Michigan. He was buried on 8 November 1936 in North Fulton Cemetery,
Fulton, Michigan. Orlin married Grace I. Stock in 1901, the daughter
of Richard Stock. Grace was born in 1880 and died in 1956, she is
also buried in North Fulton Cemetery. Orlin Minor was the baby, and
lovingly referred to as "Orla" or "Orlie." He was very outgoing in
nature, and had brownish, reddish hair, and very distinctive thick eyelids.
He went and worked in Harrisonville, Iowa, working on his uncle Keg's farm,
as well as aunt Lillie Harrison and uncle Alec II's farms. He and
Keg, had a special bond and Keg took the role of father, as Orla's dad
had died when he was in his early 20's. Orlin and his wife, Grace,
settled into farming northwest of Fulton Michigan, and they had one son,
Ivan Stock Harrison. Ivan's wife passed away, and he and his two
sons ended up living with Orlie and Grace. Orlin's obituary states
the following, " Orlie was an honest man in his dealings, a kind husband
and loving father and a respected neighbor." Orlin died on 5 November
1936, after an illness of three days. The funeral was held at his
home at 2 pm on November 8th, with the pastor of the Fulton Reformed church
conducting the service.
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