JOHN WESLEY HARRISON
John Wesley
Harrison, a prominent planter and miller of Bluffton, Clay
County, Georgia, was born in July, 1855. He came with his
parents to Clay County men a young lad l-1/2 years old,
.which trip took three weeks in covered wagons.. He received
his education in the near by country schools. When eighteen
years of age, he commenced doing business for his mother. In
November, 1876 he married Miss Mary Exa Jones, a native of
Calhoun County, Georgia. To this union were born seven
children: Henry Bridger, John Calvin, Mattie Estelle,
William Elijah, Luther Ll.oyd, Coy Winnifred and Caroline
Elizabeth.
Mr. Harrison
is Justice of the Peace of the Fifth District, Clay County,
and in politics, is a staunch democrat. His home is on the
old family place and is what is so familiarly known as the
"Harrison Mills", two and one half miles from Bluffton. Mr.
Harrison is extensively engaged in farming and is one of the
progressive planters of the state. He is a Mason in high
standing. Possessing literary tastes, he takes an active
part in the education of his children, who show a just
appreciation of the opportunities given them by their
studious habits.
The subject
of this sketch was born July 9, 1855, in Beaufort, Hampton
County, South Carolina, and was the son of Henry David
Harrison, a native of that state. The Harrison family of
Irish descent, came to America at an early day locating in
South Carolina. Amos, the grandfather of the subject of this
sketch, was a boy during the revolutionary times, and
remembered those stirring times distinctly. He followed
farming, and his sons were big rice planters in lower
Beaufort. He afterward moved to the upper part of the
district where he died, aged 86 years. He was a democrat and
a member of the Primitive Baptist Church.
He was
married to Sarah Ann Hamilton October 4, 1804. She lived to
a good old age. To them six children were born; Henry David,
George, Hamilton, Mary, Elizabeth and Sarah, all deceased.
Henry David the father of John Wesley, lived in South
Carolina on a farm adjoining his father's until 1857, when
he came to Georgia, settling in Clay County, having
purchased the McElvy mills and farm, which place is now
owned by John Wesley Harrison, the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Harrison
was prominent in politics, but would accept no office. He
was successful in business affairs and died in 1864,
lamented by all who knew him. His wife was Caroline Ulmer, a
native of the old state of South Carolina, and of Dutch
descent. She was born in 1814, and died in 1890. They both
belonged to the Primitive Baptist Church. To this union were
born twelve children; Mary E. married John A. Cordray in
South Carolina, where she lived before her people came to
Georgia. Amos J., who came to Georgia with his family, but
returned to South Carolina and became a Minister of the
Primitive Baptist faith. Willian R. married Miss Victoria J.
Tinsley, daughter of Judge Philip Tinsley. Sarah H., who
first married James H. Killingsworth and then James B.
McCord, now lives near Bluffton, Clay County, Georgia.
Ursula
married Moses Fain; Martha Ann married John Killingsworth,
now deceased. Henry Ulmer, who lives in Clay County,
Caroline, deceased; Irene, who married E. S. Jones,
deceased. Emily died in childhood; John Wesley, who lives in
the old home place.
1895