Wayne County

Miles Harris

1884 Biographical Sketches of Barnhill Twp

HARRIS, MILES H., farmer, P. 0. Merriam, was born September 5, 1819, in the southeast corner of Wayne County, Ill. He was educated in the academy at Burnt Prairie, White Co., Ill. Early in life, he devoted his 'attention to instructing the young, teaching for four or five years, mainly in the fall and winter, farming in the summer. He bought his first farm of 200 acres in Leech Township, which he sold in 1858, and then went to New Massillon where he bought a steam flour and lumber mill, which he operated for two years, and then traded it for a farm of 100 acres, on which he now resides.

He was joined in matrimony three times. His first wife, Matilda Wilson, died, leaving three children, viz.:

  1. Emma H., wife of W. A. Trousdale
  2. Susan A., wife R. F. Trousdale
  3. Miles C., deceased

His second wife was Julia A. Fulkerson, who died the following year after they were married.

His present wife is Mary J. Robertson, born 1834, in White County, III. Her parents were Aaron and Mahala M. (Funkhouser) Robertson. This union was blessed with two children.viz.: Julia M. and Mary A.

Mr. and Mrs. Harris are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In political matters, Mr. Harris is identified with the Democratic party. He has filled a number of offices, and filled them to the satisfaction of his constituents. He is a man that is always willing to espouse the cause of right and justice. He was Justice of the Peace for twenty-two years; he was also a member of the County Board of . Supervisors for four years, was Constable for three years, Township Assessor one year, and for two years filled the office of County Superintendent of Schools, with tact and ability.



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