John Harrison, farmer and stock-raiser, was born July 24, 1834 in Noble Co., Ohio, and is the fifth of thirteen children born to James and Elizabeth (MIDKIFF) Harrison, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Maryland, and of Irish extraction. John, in company with his parents, came to Jackson township in 1855; here his father's death occurred in 1859 and his mother's in 1881. John was reared upon a farm, working during the summer and attending school during the winter and received an ordinary education. He never received any help in the way of a start in life, but has at present a nice farm of 300 acres and most of the modern improvements and all made by his own shrewd business management. He was united in marriage to Miss Amanda COCHRAN, a native of Owen County, IN, April 10, 1859, she being a daughter of Campbell and Jane (WILEY) COCHRAN, both natives of North Carolina, and of English and Irish extraction. Four children have crowned this union - John E. born December 6, 1862; Luella F. July 12, 1868; Dora M. April 4, 1870; Mary R. March 8, 1874. His lady is an active member of the Christian Church. Mr. Harrison enlisted July 1862 in company B, Ninety-Seventh Indiana volunteer Infantry, under Col. R.F. CATTERSON and Capt. James WATTS. He was engaged in several hard fought battles, was with Gen. SHERMAN on his march to the sea, returned home without an injury and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis. He is a Republican and has voted for that party ever since he became a voter. His son John, John E. is achieving a reputation as a successful educator.
William H. HARRISON, farmer and stock-raiser, was born May 24, 1842 in Noble County, Ohio and is the tenth child born to James and Elizabeth (Midkiff) Harrison. He mace with his parents to this township [Owen Co., IN] in the fall of 1855; was reared on a farm and attended the public and subscription schools; acquired a very fair education. September 17, 1861, he enlisted while on a visit to Ohio, in company D Forty-Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Col., James A. GARFIELD and Capt. James RIGGS and was in a number of hard-fought battles. His regiment was once surrounded at Cumberland Gap and had to cut its way through and march eighteen days without rations, except such as could be gathered up as it passed along. He was in the first attack on Vicksburg, under Gen. Sherman and was with Grant in several severe engagements before reaching the siege of that city. After its surrender the regiment was under fire for seventeen days or until capture of Jackson, Mississippi. Although never wounded, Mr. H. had several rifle shots through his clothing. He was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio in September 1864. On April 20, 1865 he married Miss Eliza J. COFFMAN who has borne him twelve children, of whom five lived to receive names - Della R. now deceased; Minnie F. born May 26, 1867; Gilberta (Gilbertsie) September 18, 1872; William C. March 5, 1877; Dennis R. June 15, 1879. Mr and Mrs. H. are members of the Christian Church and he is an active member of the Masonic order and the I.O.O.F. Formerly Mr. H was a Republican and cast his Presidential vote for Lincoln, but since has been identified with the Democratic party. In the spring of 1880, he was elected Township Trustee and reelected in 1882. He is a skillful farmer and is owner of 180 acres of good land.
