James L. Irwin farmer and stock-raiser, section 34; P.O., Smithfield, was born in Licking Co., Ohio. He came to Fulton County in 1849, and went to the Territories in 1865, and had several encounters with the Indians while there. At one time the red-skins attempted to stampede their teams, but the leaders, a white renegate, was captured. They gave him a "moonlight" trial, and release him on the promise to keep the peace. They employed two men to bring them back to the settlement, who proved to be robbers. Before reaching Fort Kearney, a bare-headed man, with but one boot, met them and talked familiarly with the guides. This arouse a suspicion in Mr. Irwin, and he lay awake all night and heard their plans for murdering the party the next day, which was checked in the morning by dismissing the guides under threats of immediate death. He was married to Samantha Totten, who was borne him 9 children, 7 of whom were living in 1879. Though there is a great similarity in the lives of most people that at a casual glance makes them almost identical, yet each human life possesses its own special point of interest, with which to claim the attention of the community in which they reside. And the life of our subject is peculiarly replete with interesting subject matter. He is the son of Isaac and Margaret J. (Littlejohn) Harris, natives of Ohio, the former born in the year 1813.
Our subject's father came to Illinois in company with his father, John Harris, the first settler in what is now known as Harris Township, a place that when organized was named in his honor. John Harris lived to be nearly a century old. The father was a soldier in the Black Hawk War and a prominent man in his locality. The Littlejohn family were early settlers in Bernadotte Township. The parents of our subject were married in the latter-named place.
Mr. Harris' father, previous to his marriage with our subject's mother had been married before, and to that union were born five children. His second marriage took place about forty-seven years ago and to this union have been born ten children, none of whom are living at the present time.
Our subject's birth occurred February 8, 1850, in Bernadotte Township, and in his native place he received a common-school education at the district school. He has from early childhood devoted his attention to farming, a choice of professions which his great success has proved to be a wise one. He continued to live with his father until his marriage December 22, 1872. The lady with whom he united his destiny being Miss Sarah S. Fayette, daughter of Jesse S. and Sarah (Herbert) Fayette, both of whom are dead.
Mr. and Mrs. Harris, after marriage remained on the home farm until 1876, and at that time removed to their present farm. Mrs. Harris died September 2, 1882, and her remains rest in Totten Cemetery. They were the parents of three children, viz: Nellie May, Sarah M., and Emma L., all of whom are receiving common-school educations.
Our subject was again married, October 7, 1883, to Miss Mary E. Waughtel, daughter of Henry Waughtel, one of the earliest settlers in Cass Township, and the first Supervisor. She was born December 26, 1853, at the old homestead and received a common-school education. To this union have been born three children--Edna, Clarence I., and Florence. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harris are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Smithfield, and he is Steward and Trustee of the same. Their interest in Sunday-school matters is great and their wealth and influence enable them to be of great benefit to all religious and worthy causes. Mr. Harris is a School Director in District No. 5. He is a Republican in politics.
Our subject is the owner of two hundred and seventeen acres here and one hundred and fifty-five acres in Cass Township, and sixty-two acres of valuable land in Bernadotte Township. His residence was built in 1881 at a cost of $800, and his barn in 1887, at a cost of $800, and these sums did not include his own work. His success through life has been marked, and is due entirely to his own exertions. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Fulton County, 1890, pages 406-407)
Our subject's father came to Illinois in company with his father, John Harris, the first settler in what is now known as Harris Township, a place that when organized was named in his honor. John Harris lived to be nearly a century old. The father was a soldier in the Black Hawk War and a prominent man in his locality. The Littlejohn family were early settlers in Bernadotte Township. The parents of our subject were married in the latter-named place.
Mr. Harris' father, previous to his marriage with our subject's mother had been married before, and to that union were born five children. His second marriage took place about forty-seven years ago and to this union have been born ten children, none of whom are living at the present time.
Our subject's birth occurred February 8, 1850, in Bernadotte Township, and in his native place he received a common-school education at the district school. He has from early childhood devoted his attention to farming, a choice of professions which his great success has proved to be a wise one. He continued to live with his father until his marriage December 22, 1872. The lady with whom he united his destiny being Miss Sarah S. Fayette, daughter of Jesse S. and Sarah (Herbert) Fayette, both of whom are dead.
Mr. and Mrs. Harris, after marriage remained on the home farm until 1876, and at that time removed to their present farm. Mrs. Harris died September 2, 1882, and her remains rest in Totten Cemetery. They were the parents of three children, viz: Nellie May, Sarah M., and Emma L., all of whom are receiving common-school educations.
Our subject was again married, October 7, 1883, to Miss Mary E. Waughtel, daughter of Henry Waughtel, one of the earliest settlers in Cass Township, and the first Supervisor. She was born December 26, 1853, at the old homestead and received a common-school education. To this union have been born three children--Edna, Clarence I., and Florence. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harris are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Smithfield, and he is Steward and Trustee of the same. Their interest in Sunday-school matters is great and their wealth and influence enable them to be of great benefit to all religious and worthy causes. Mr. Harris is a School Director in District No. 5. He is a Republican in politics.
Our subject is the owner of two hundred and seventeen acres here and one hundred and fifty-five acres in Cass Township, and sixty-two acres of valuable land in Bernadotte Township. His residence was built in 1881 at a cost of $800, and his barn in 1887, at a cost of $800, and these sums did not include his own work. His success through life has been marked, and is due entirely to his own exertions. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Fulton County, 1890, pages 406-407)
James L. Irwin farmer and stock-raiser, section 34; P.O., Smithfield, was born in Licking Co., Ohio. He came to Fulton County in 1849, and went to the Territories in 1865, and had several encounters with the Indians while there. At one time the red-skins attempted to stampede their teams, but the leaders, a white renegate, was captured. They gave him a "moonlight" trial, and release him on the promise to keep the peace. They employed two men to bring them back to the settlement, who proved to be robbers. Before reaching Fort Kearney, a bare-headed man, with but one boot, met them and talked familiarly with the guides. This arouse a suspicion in Mr. Irwin, and he lay awake all night and heard their plans for murdering the party the next day, which was checked in the morning by dismissing the guides under threats of immediate death. He was married to Samantha Totten, who was borne him 9 children, 7 of whom were living in 1879. Though there is a great similarity in the lives of most people that at a casual glance makes them almost identical, yet each human life possesses its own special point of interest, with which to claim the attention of the community in which they reside. And the life of our subject is peculiarly replete with interesting subject matter. He is the son of Isaac and Margaret J. (Littlejohn) Harris, natives of Ohio, the former born in the year 1813.
Our subject's father came to Illinois in company with his father, John Harris, the first settler in what is now known as Harris Township, a place that when organized was named in his honor. John Harris lived to be nearly a century old. The father was a soldier in the Black Hawk War and a prominent man in his locality. The Littlejohn family were early settlers in Bernadotte Township. The parents of our subject were married in the latter-named place.
Mr. Harris' father, previous to his marriage with our subject's mother had been married before, and to that union were born five children. His second marriage took place about forty-seven years ago and to this union have been born ten children, none of whom are living at the present time.
Our subject's birth occurred February 8, 1850, in Bernadotte Township, and in his native place he received a common-school education at the district school. He has from early childhood devoted his attention to farming, a choice of professions which his great success has proved to be a wise one. He continued to live with his father until his marriage December 22, 1872. The lady with whom he united his destiny being Miss Sarah S. Fayette, daughter of Jesse S. and Sarah (Herbert) Fayette, both of whom are dead.
Mr. and Mrs. Harris, after marriage remained on the home farm until 1876, and at that time removed to their present farm. Mrs. Harris died September 2, 1882, and her remains rest in Totten Cemetery. They were the parents of three children, viz: Nellie May, Sarah M., and Emma L., all of whom are receiving common-school educations.
Our subject was again married, October 7, 1883, to Miss Mary E. Waughtel, daughter of Henry Waughtel, one of the earliest settlers in Cass Township, and the first Supervisor. She was born December 26, 1853, at the old homestead and received a common-school education. To this union have been born three children--Edna, Clarence I., and Florence. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harris are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Smithfield, and he is Steward and Trustee of the same. Their interest in Sunday-school matters is great and their wealth and influence enable them to be of great benefit to all religious and worthy causes. Mr. Harris is a School Director in District No. 5. He is a Republican in politics.
Our subject is the owner of two hundred and seventeen acres here and one hundred and fifty-five acres in Cass Township, and sixty-two acres of valuable land in Bernadotte Township. His residence was built in 1881 at a cost of $800, and his barn in 1887, at a cost of $800, and these sums did not include his own work. His success through life has been marked, and is due entirely to his own exertions. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Fulton County, 1890, pages 406-407)
Our subject's father came to Illinois in company with his father, John Harris, the first settler in what is now known as Harris Township, a place that when organized was named in his honor. John Harris lived to be nearly a century old. The father was a soldier in the Black Hawk War and a prominent man in his locality. The Littlejohn family were early settlers in Bernadotte Township. The parents of our subject were married in the latter-named place.
Mr. Harris' father, previous to his marriage with our subject's mother had been married before, and to that union were born five children. His second marriage took place about forty-seven years ago and to this union have been born ten children, none of whom are living at the present time.
Our subject's birth occurred February 8, 1850, in Bernadotte Township, and in his native place he received a common-school education at the district school. He has from early childhood devoted his attention to farming, a choice of professions which his great success has proved to be a wise one. He continued to live with his father until his marriage December 22, 1872. The lady with whom he united his destiny being Miss Sarah S. Fayette, daughter of Jesse S. and Sarah (Herbert) Fayette, both of whom are dead.
Mr. and Mrs. Harris, after marriage remained on the home farm until 1876, and at that time removed to their present farm. Mrs. Harris died September 2, 1882, and her remains rest in Totten Cemetery. They were the parents of three children, viz: Nellie May, Sarah M., and Emma L., all of whom are receiving common-school educations.
Our subject was again married, October 7, 1883, to Miss Mary E. Waughtel, daughter of Henry Waughtel, one of the earliest settlers in Cass Township, and the first Supervisor. She was born December 26, 1853, at the old homestead and received a common-school education. To this union have been born three children--Edna, Clarence I., and Florence. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harris are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Smithfield, and he is Steward and Trustee of the same. Their interest in Sunday-school matters is great and their wealth and influence enable them to be of great benefit to all religious and worthy causes. Mr. Harris is a School Director in District No. 5. He is a Republican in politics.
Our subject is the owner of two hundred and seventeen acres here and one hundred and fifty-five acres in Cass Township, and sixty-two acres of valuable land in Bernadotte Township. His residence was built in 1881 at a cost of $800, and his barn in 1887, at a cost of $800, and these sums did not include his own work. His success through life has been marked, and is due entirely to his own exertions. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Fulton County, 1890, pages 406-407)
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