| Home Surname List Name Index Sources Email Us | Second Generation11. Thomas HARRIS was born on 23 Jun 1839 in Devonshire, England. He appeared in the census in Jun 1841 in Black Torrington, Devon, England, age 4. He appeared in the census in 1870 in Marshall, Richland County, Wisconsin.54 He died in 1928.55 He was buried in English Ridge Cemetery, Richland County, Wisconsin. He is reference number 79. Miners 1906 History of Richland County, Pg. 463-4 THOMAS HARRIS is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Richland county, and is the owner of one of the valuable farms of the town of Marshall, where he has maintained his home for more than fifty years. He was born in Devonshire, England, June 23, 1839, and is a son of John and Mary (Short) Harris, both of whom were born in that country. In 1841 the father came to America, landing in New York City, where he remained one summer, after which he returned to England and in the following year, brought his family to America, locating in the province of Ontario, Canada. There he remained two years, at the expiration of which he located in Onondaga county, N.Y., where he resided until 1855. At that time the entire family came to Richland county, Wis., and settled in the town of Marshall, where Mr. Harris had purchased in the preceding year 200 acres of heavily timbered land from the government, paying one and one-quarter dollars per acre. The land was in section 28, and as soon as possible he constructed a house of round logs, the domicile being eighteen by twenty-four feet in dimensions. With the aid of his sons he proceeded to reclaim his land to cultivation, eventually developing a good farm and adding to the area of his original purchase. He remained on the old homestead until his death, which occurred in February, 1889, his wife having passed away in March of the preceding year. Both were devoted members of the United Brethren church, having been numbered among the organizers of the church at English Ridge. He was a stanch supporter of the cause of the Republican party, but never sought the honors or emoluments of public office. Of this thirteen children two died in childhood and the others attained to years of maturity: Mary is the wife of James Ward, of Richland Center; John, Elizabeth, Richard, William and Abraham are deceased. Abraham having been a clergyman of the United Brethren church; James resides in Minneapolis, Minn.; Eliza is the wife of William Knox and they reside in Michigan; Thomas is the subject of this sketch; Frank is a resident of Sextonville, this county; Samuel is individually mentioned in this work. The subject of his review received a limited common-school education in Onondaga county, N.Y., and was sixteen years of age at the time of the family removal to Richland county, where he has since continued to reside. He remained at the parental home until his marriage, at the age of twenty years, when he settled on his present homestead, in 1859, the same comprising in the beginning forty acres of the land which his father had secured from the government. He has since added to his possessions until he now has a fine farm of 200 acres, the major portion of which he reclaimed from the forest. About 100 acres are under effective cultivation and excellent buildings are erected on the place. He has been successful in his operations as a general farmer and stock-grower, and is one of the substantial and popular citizens of his township and county. He is unwavering in his allegiance to the Republican party and served three years as a member of the town board, having also held minor offices and been a valued member of the school board of his district. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church at English Ridge and he is a steward and trustee of the same. Oct. 9, 1859, Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Gorsuch, who was born in Ohio and who died in 1869. Oct. 9, 1870, he married Miss Lucy Gordon, who was born in Cayuga county, N.Y. Mr. Harris became the father of five children, of whom four are living, the last having died young. Two were born of the first marriage and three of the second: Orland S., who married Rosa Davis, is a farmer of Marshall township; Lettie is the wife of Edward Ward, of Juneau county, Wis.; Walter married Lela Davis and is a farmer in the town of Marshall; Herbert, who is a farmer of Willow Creek township, married Miss Sadie Paul. Thomas HARRIS and Sarah GORSUCH were
married on 9 Oct 1859. Sarah GORSUCH (daughter
of Silas GORSUCH and Phebe) was born in 1841 in Ohio. She died in
1869.56 She was buried in
English Ridge Cemetery, Richland County, Wisconsin. She is reference
number 2966. Thomas HARRIS and Sarah GORSUCH had the following children:
Thomas
HARRIS and Lucy GOODELL were married on 9 Oct 1870. They appeared
in the census on 17 Jun 1880 in Marshall, Richland County, Wisconsin.57 They appeared in the census on
2 Jun 1900 in Marshall, Richland County, Wisconsin.58 They appeared in the census on 4 May 1910 in Richland
Center, Richland County, Wisconsin.59
Lucy GOODELL (daughter of Isaac GOODELL) was born
in Apr 1844 in New York. She died on 28 Oct 1925 in Richland County,
Wisconsin.60 She was buried
in English Ridge Cemetery, Richland County, Wisconsin. She is reference
number 2929. Thomas HARRIS and Lucy GOODELL had the following children:
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