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William O. Harrison


 

William O. Harrison, a well known resident of Dallas County, is a son of Jonathan Tyler and Jemima Delina (Osborne) Harrison of English ancestry.  The first ancestor of that name who first came to America was Terrell Harrison, a Presbyterian Minister, who settled in Virginia. His son, Jonathan, was born in that state and afterward settled in Fairfield District, South Carolina, where he was a planter and at one time was Sheriff of that District.  His son Burr, Harrison, was the father of Jonathan Tyler, the father of the subject of this sketch.

 Jonathan Tyler Harrison was born and reared in Fairfield District and in early life was engaged as an overseer.  He worked four years as such for Governor Means and was also overseer for his estate after the Governors death.  Mr. Harrison then moved to Anderson District, same state, where he was engaged for some years in the Mercantile business and still later was a contractor for railroad work, having assisted in building the Blue Ridge Railroad in 1860.  He was engaged in that occupation when the war came on and he then enlisted in the Confederate Army, in the Second Rifles, which was raised in Anderson County.  He entered as Third Lieutenant and was afterward promoted to Second Lieutenant and was in Longstreet’s Corps, Jenkins Brigade and took part in all the battles which were fought by his command.  He served until fall of 1864, when he resigned on account of rheumatism; also received a flesh would in the Battle of the Wilderness.  After the close of the war, Mr. Harrison returned to his farm in Anderson District where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, March 14, 1870.  He was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church throughout life and was twice married, first to Jemima Delina Osborne, a daughter of W.M. Osborne of Fairfield District, South Carolina, where Mrs. Harrison was born and reared.  They had the following children”  William O., our subject; Sallie, who died when young; Jonathan B., of Dallas County, a sketch of whom appears in this work; James W. of Denton County, this state; Thomas Jefferson of Dallas County and Fannie, the wife of Sanford Wilburne, of Union District, South Carolina.  The wife and mother died in Anderson District June 8, 1858 and Mr. Harrison was afterward married to Eliza McDaniel, also of Anderson District and they had four children:  Jefferson Davis of this county; Carrie, who became the wife of W.N. Sanders of Dallas County and is now deceased; Susan, the wife of P.F. Sanders of Dallas County;  Mamie, the wife of J.B. Hammel of Tarrant County, Texas.

William O. Harrison, the subject of this sketch was born in Fairfield District, South Carolina, November 3, 1847 and was reared in that and Anderson District.  He emigrated to Rush County, Texas in the winter of 1870 where he remained one year and then went to Marion County and two years later to Dallas County settling on Grapevine Prairie, near where he now lives.  He bought his present farm of ninety acres in 1875 all of which was open prairie and he has since added to this until he now owns 166 acres, most is under cultivation.

Mr. Harrison began the mercantile business at Gibbs about three years ago under the firm name Harrison & Co.  His partners being his brothers Jonathan B. Harrison and

T.J. Harrison and he is also engaged in the gin business.  Mr. Harrison secured the Post Office at Gibbs in 1887 and soon afterward became the Postmaster, which position he has since held and is also Notary Public and general counsel for the neighborhood.

He was married in Elbert County, Georgia, June 20, 1865, to Laura McDaniel, the daughter of Edward and Frances (White) McDaniel, of that County.  Mr. And Mrs. Harrison have had the following children:  Minnie, the wife of Byron L. Nicks, of the county; Lena, the wife of W.N. Sanders; Emma, now Mrs. C.A. Corbin; Fannie; Laura; Edward F.; and Bertie.  Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are members of the Baptist Church.  Politically, Mr. Harrison is a Democrat.

 

This book was published in 1892.