Second Generation

8. Richard HARRIS was born in May 1832 in Black Torrington, Devon, England. He was christened on 24 Feb 1833 in Black Torrington, Devon, England.³⁶ He appeared in the census in Jun 1841 in Black Torrington, Devon, England, age 7. He served in the military in 1865 in Co I 51st Wisconsin Infantry. He appeared in the census in 1880 in Warren, St. Croix County, Wisconsin.³⁷ He appeared in the census in 1890 in Veterans Schedule, St. Croix County.³⁸ He appeared in the census on 14 Jun 1900 in Warren, St. Croix County, Wisconsin.³⁹ He died Old Age on 7 Sep 1905 in Roberts, St. Croix County, Wisconsin.⁴⁰ He was buried on 8 Sep 1905 in Warren Cemetery, St. Croix County, Wisconsin.⁴¹ He was a Carpenter in St. Croix County, Wisconsin. He is reference number 76. Richard Harris chose to move to St. Croix County, Wisconsin, when the family moved west. As with many of the Harris family, his birthdate isn't consistent. His death certificate reflects 1831. However, his tombstone shows 1832 and the 1900 census for St. Croix County shows May 1832. He was christened 24 February 1833, so the May 1832 date seems to make the most sense. According to the 1870 census Richard was able to read and write, unlike his older siblings, John and Mary.

Richard married Polly, last name unknown, around the mid 1850s. The marriage may have taken place in New York or it may have taken place in Wisconsin, although there is no record of this marriage in St. Croix County records. Richard and Polly had at least 3 children: Julia, Jennie & Henry. In the 1880 census Richard shows as divorced. The St. Croix registrar only keeps records for 50 years; there are no copies of the divorce papers to be found.

On 10 December 1884 Richard married Martha Griffin. They lived together until Richard passed away on 7 September, 1905.

Early research did not immediately lead to Richard Harris. He was finally located because his brother, Samuel, married Laura Gorsuch, who was from Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin. It became apparent that the Richard Harris in St. Croix matched the criteria for Richard Harris, son of John and Mary Harris.

Roberts Centennial Book - St. Croix WI, pg. 61, 71

p. 61 - "Company "I" of the 51st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, of which Richard Harris was a member, was not organized until the spring of 1865; and, consequently, did not leave Wisconsin."
p. 71 - "Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Waunattee Lodge No. 319 of Roberts was instituted on November 26, 1883, and was chartered by the Grand Lodge Jurisdiction of Wisconsin at Madison on June 5, 1884 by Van S. Bennett, Grand Master, and S. B. Hill, Grand Secretary. The charter members were: W. T. Simon, F. P. Lewis, S. G. Kibbe, J. H. Bowen, H. C. Bright, I.E. Goodnoe, A. J. Hotchkiss, R. Harris and C. H. Wright."

Richard HARRIS and Polly ?? appeared in the census on 5 Jul 1860 in Hudson, Saint Croix County, Wisconsin.⁴² They appeared in the census on 25 Jun 1870 in Hudson, Saint Croix County, Wisconsin.⁴³ They were divorced before 1880. Polly ?? was born about 1840 in New York. She is reference number 3635. Richard HARRIS and Polly ?? had the following children:

35	i.	Julia HARRIS was born about 1857 in Wisconsin. She is reference number 3633.
36	ii.	Jennie HARRIS was born estimated 1863 in Wisconsin.
37	iii.	Henry HARRIS was born in 1866 in Wisconsin. He died in 1946. He was buried in Warren Cemetery, St. Croix County, Wisconsin.44 He is reference number 3634.

Richard HARRIS and Martha GRIFFIN were married on 10 Dec 1884 in St. Croix, Wisconsin.⁴⁵ Martha GRIFFIN was born in Nov 1844 in New York. She died in 1913 in St. Croix, Wisconsin. She was buried in 1913 in Warren Cemetery, St. Croix County, Wisconsin. She is reference number 4783.