Biography: "EZEKIEL HARRIS. Among the prominent and successful farmers of Pottawatomie County, the above-named gentleman deserves mention as a man of enterprise, industry and excellent moral character. He is engaged in grain and stock raising, on section 36, Blue Valley Township, where he owns 280 acres of land, which is intelligently cultivated and bears excellent improvements, these including a well-built house, barn, windmill, and other conveniences for the work which is carried on upon the estate, and an excellent orchard and vineyard. The father of our subject is George Harris, who was born in Kent, England, Aug. 24, 1820, and came to Pennsylvania in 1841, following farming in Alleghany County for over thirty years. In 1872 he removed from the Keystone State to Kansas, locating on a farm of 120 acres in the same section where his son Ezekiel lives, on which well-improved farm he now makes his home. His wife was, in her maidenhood, Miss Elizabeth Dodd, and was also born in Kent, coming to America with her father, George Dodd, who farmed in Pennsylvania until his death. The parental family consists of George W., a farmer in Green Township; him of whom we write; Mrs. Sarah A. Springer, of Green Township; Mary, who died in 1881; Albert, living in Washington; Stephen, who is engaged in farming in Blue Valley Township; Mrs. Elizabeth Shaw, of Green Township; Henry, who is still living at home; Emma J., Mrs. Elmer Glunt, living in Green Township; Charles, of Washington; and Cassie B., at home. The paternal grandfather of our subject bore the same name as his father--George--and came to America from England, engaging in farming in Alleghany County, Pa., until his death in 1884, he having reached the age of eighty-two years. Ezekiel Harris was born near Alleghany City, PA., Oct. 9, 1847, and was reared on his father's farm within two miles of the Alleghany River, receiving the educational advantages to be obtained in the common schools as long as he remained under the parental roof. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed at grist milling, and after serving three years ran the mill on shares till the spring of 1870, when he was obliged to abandon that occupation on account of ill health. He then came to Manhattan, Kan., whence he walked to the home of his uncle, William Skinner, seventeen miles north of the city. During the summer he worked for his uncle, and in the fall purchased 120 acres of his present estate, upon which he began making improvements. In 1872 he engaged as engineer at Winkler's Mill, on Fancy Creek, continuing so employed till the spring of 1874, when he returned to his farm. He was just in time to be eaten out by grasshoppers, but persevered in spite of discouragements, and has made the improvements before noted upon his place, purchasing an additional 160 acres on section 31. In Manhattan, April 11, 1873, Mr. Harris was united in marriage with Miss Mary Knipe, a native of Indiana. She departed this life in 1881, having borne her husband four children: Maud, Lucy A., Elmer and Mary E. In Green Township, in April, 1888, Mr. Harris contracted a second matrimonial alliance, the bride being Miss Emily Haworth, who was born in England. Mr. Harris is interested in the development of the physical resources of the county, and its educational and moral elevation, and for his public spirit as well as his personal intelligence nad character, he is held in good repute by his fellow citizens. At present he is filling the position of School Treasurer, in which he has served for six years. He has also been Supervisor of Roads. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Garrison, is now Steward, and has been Trustee and Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday-School, and also served on the Building Commjittee. He is a straight Republican."
[Portrait and Biographical Album, Pub. by Chapman Brothers, 1890, Kansas Genealogical Society, pg. 293]