William Harrison.
Intelligence arrives to us to-day that the veteran William Harrison, of Charleston died at his home on Tuesday, 26th, aged 97 years. He is one of the first pioneers of this county, having come to this county in 1839 a year after his father, Judge Bazil Harrison and family came, the first white settlers in Prairie Ronde.
Deceased was born in Frederick county Va., Jan. 17,1790. He was the oldest son of Judge Harrison above mentioned and was a relative of President William Henry Harrison. Benj. Harrison, a signer of the declaration of independence, was his great-great uncle. When William left his home in Ohio and came here, he found all this section a trackless wilderness, and there was not a city in the state or a town of more than the population of a village, while only the traders occupied cabins throughout all the western and northern portions of this territory. Mr. Harrison has been a hardy, bold, helpful pioneer, carrying through all his long life, the same character of frankness readiness to assist others, fearlessness in all the peculiarities which marked the true pioneer, the advance guard, those who prepared the pathway and the country for the great numbers of people who came to be permanent settlers and who made the wild wood and the home of civilization. Mr. Harrison has lived the life of a farmer and had never cared for the honor and emoluments of high office, content with what he could gather from his favorite occupation. He has lived in Charleston since 1836, and in 1839 his assessment in that town showed up well for an early settler. He has been well thought of by his neighbors. The funeral takes place to-morrow. Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph April 26, 1887 page 6