Biography of JOHN A. HARRIS

                                                                       (transcribed by: L. Johnson)

 

     Among the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of Mt. Pleasant, none has been granted a greater need of respect and admiration than the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch.  For many years actively and successfully engaged in commercial enterprises of importance, he was an efficient and widely recognized factor in the growth and advancement of the business interests of the community, in which he has never lost interest, though now practically retired from active participation therein.

     John A. Harris was born in London, England, September 23, 1842.  His father was William Harris, born in Cornwall, England, who came of an ancient Cornish family.  His mother, Sarah (Heath) Harris, was born in London, England, descended from a Scotch family.  William Harris was a produce merchant in London, and emigrated to the United States in 1852, bringing his wife and family, consisting of five children.  He died in New York city in 1854.

     In August, 1862, John A. Harris enlisted in the Union army and joined Company F, Twenty-first Michigan Infantry, August 8^th that year.  The regiment formed part of the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Harris was discharged from service of the army July 5, 1865.  He then returned to the family farm in Montcalm county, where he remained engaged in farming and lumbering until 1872, when he came to Mount Pleasant, where he has since resided.  On coming to Mount Pleasant, Mr. Harris and his brother William, who came with him, built the Mount Pleasant flouring mills, which have always been and are now operated by the Harris family.  Mr. Harris continued active in the flour milling business until about four years ago, when he retired from business.

     Mr. Harris has always taken a keen interest in the affairs affecting the progress of the city, but has not been a seeker of office.  He served as one of the trustees of the village board for several years, one term as a president of the village, and since Mount Pleasant has grown to be a city he has served a term as alderman.  He has always taken great interest in Grand Army affairs, and was the first commander of the local post, Wabuno No. 250, an honor which his comrades conferred on him for several years afterwards.  Mr. Harris has taken an interest in the educational affairs of the city and served on the school board for some years.

     Mr. Harris has been twice married.  On May 31, 1872, he married Catherine Holmden, at Greenville, Montcalm county.  She was a native of Michigan, born in Grand Rapids, the daughter of George and Hester Holmden.  Seven children were born of that marriage:  Cassius A., born August 12, 1873, has lived in New York city for several years;  Hester Lottie, born July 9, 1875,lives in Mount Pleasant, the wife of  J.F. McNutt;  Edward Owen, born August 15, 1877, lives in Mount Pleasant;  John Glenn, born February 28, 1882, died November 16, 1887;  Ralph Garbutt, Born January 27, 1884, lives in Mount Pleasant;  Elizabeth B., born August 21, 1889, is a teacher In the schools in Pontiac;  Sate, born November 20, 1890, lives at home.  Mrs. Catherine (Holmden) Harris died October 25, 1894, and on December 6, 1897, Mr. Harris married Helen F. Rogers.  Her father was Jacob Ferris, descended from an old family of New York.  He was captain of Company D, Twenty-first Michigan, the regiment in which Mr. Harris served.  After the war he was an attorney in Grand Rapids for several years.