Georgia:  Coweta County:  Biography of CALEB J. HARRIS 

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CALEB J. HARRIS is the son of Tyre Harris, who was born in Virginia in 1800, 
and was brought by his parents, natives of Virginia, to Georgia the same 
year. His father, William Harris, cleared up four acres of wood land the 
first year, and when he was doing his first plowing, which was done with 
rawhide traces, his horse died, and he had to tend his little patch of ground 
as well as he could with no tools but a mallet. He was a member of the 
Hickory Baptist church. His son Tyre, who was reared in this wilderness 
home, had but few educational privileges, but made the best of every 
opportunity. By his own industry and thrift he acquired his wealth, and 
although he began life with nothing he owned at one time 1,200 acres of land 
and about forty negroes. At his death his property was valued at some 
$40,000. He and his wife were members of the Missionary Baptist church, in 
which he was a leader and a liberal supporter. He also did all in his power 
to advance educational institutions, appreciating as he did their need. His 
wife, Miss Lucy Johnson, was born in Virginia. Their son, Caleb J. Harris, 
was born in Clarke county, Ga., in 1830. He passed his boyhood on the farm, 
with such limited privileges of schooling as those days afforded. Mr. Harris 
married in 1885 (sic), his wife being Miss Almeta Talbert, born in Coweta 
county, Ga., July 31, 1836. Her parents, John and Mary (Russell) Talbert, 
came from South Carolina to Georgia in 1835, her father's parents being of 
Irish nativity, who by chance came as children to America in the same vessel 
and were afterward married. Mrs. Harris died in March, 1877, leaving her 
husband with six children: William, Mary L., Julia, Myrtie, Jimmie and Robert 
Lee. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harris were members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. 
Harris has also been a member of the masonic fraternity; he is one of Coweta 
county's best citizens and is universally respected.

Transcribed from MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA published by the Southern Historical 
Association, 1895.