Biography - GIBSON HARRIS
Gibson
Harris was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, March 7, 1791. His
parents were Ebenezer and Abigail Harris. (Maiden name Burnham). Ebenezer
was a farmer. Gibson came west in 1818 or '19, stopping at Vincennes,
Indiana, where he engaged in making plats and maps of the surrounding
country. Being a practical surveyor he found plenty to do in his vocation.
He aided in laying off the town of Terre Haute. After a few months' sojourn
in Vincennes, he came to Albion, where he entered the employ of Francis
Dickson as clerk. In this capacity he continued until the time of his
purchase of the stock of goods. In the mercantile trade he continued until
the time of his death, December 5, 1847. From a humble beginning he
established, by prudence, energy and the exercise of an excellent judgment,
a large and lucrative business. In an early day he took strong grounds in
favor of temperance, nor was it in words alone, but in action as well. It
was the custom of the times to have liquor on sale in such establishments.
This he would not do. Years afterwards this was imputed to him as a virtue,
though at the time his customers thought it a hardship. He was united in
marriage with Elizabeth Woods, daughter of John Woods, one of the hardy
English pioneers of Edwards county, in 1826. By her he had nine sons, Gibson
W., now of Cincinnati; George, Chester, Francis, John, Levinus, Lucius,
Morris and Bedford E. Of these, all are living, save Chester, who died
February 7, 1870, and John, who died February 10, 1850. Mrs. Harris survived
her husband several years, during which time she carried on, aided by her
sons, the business he had established until the time of her death, which
occurred September 9, 1864. Gibson Harris was one of nature's noblemen, a
true friend, a wise counselor, a man of irreproachable character.
Extracted 12 Aug 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 A Combined History of Edwards, Lawrence, and Wabash Counties, Illinois, page 217.
