Montour-Philadelphia County PA Archives Biographies.....HARRISON, W. Joseph 1863 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com August 6, 2005, 5:30 am Author: Biographical Publishing Co. W. JOSEPH HARRISON, under whose successful management the Danville Knitting Mill Company has prospered, is a lineal descendant of the inventor of the knitting machine, and was born December 17, 1863, in the city of Philadelphia. He is a son of William J. and Anna (Wrightson) Harrison. William J. Harrison, the father of our subject, was born in County Derry, Ireland, and early in life came to Philadelphia, Pa., where he followed the trade of a baker and later that of an engineer. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted and rendered valuable aid to the cause of his adopted country. After returning home he carried on a drug business until his retirement, when he returned to his native land and spent the remainder of his declining days, dying in 1896, at the age of sixty-one years. He was united in marriage with Anna Wrightson, a daughter of John Wrightson, who was a native of England, and a grandson, maternally, of Charles G. Shirtlift, the inventor of the knitting machine. Mr. Wrightson learned the details of the knitting business and came to America, locating in Philadelphia, where he established a knitting mill. He was succeeded as proprietor by his three sons: Henry, deceased; Arthur; and William. The two last named are still in that business. This union of our subject's parents resulted in the birth of the following children: W. Joseph; Robert C, a spinner of Philadelphia; Mary J.; John H., also a spinner of Philadelphia; and Oliver T., deceased. Mr. Harrison purchased a fine residence property in Philadelphia, where his beloved wife still lives. W. Joseph Harrison attended the public schools of his native city until he was twelve years of age, when he began working in the knitting mills, entering the employ of J. J. Glazier & Co., where he took advantage of every opportunity offered for advancement. After gaining a thorough knowledge of the business he accepted a position as foreman of the Love & Company Knitting Mills of Philadelphia, which he held in a satisfactory manner for a period of four years, when he became manager of the Thomas West Mills, in that city. At the expiration of five years time he became foreman of the Taylor & Hawthorne Company of Wilmington, Del., remaining with that firm until 1896, when he came to Danville and became stockholder and general manager of the Danville Knitting Mill Company, which was formerly the Equitable Stocking Company. At that time the plant was located on West Center street in an old school-house which was rebuilt to meet the requirements of the business. In July, 1898, the company erected a three-story brick building, 48x84 feet, on Church street, which they now occupy. It is well lighted with electricity and heated with steam and equipped in every way for the convenience of carrying on the business. They make a specialty of gentlemen's fine hose, and, as the demand for their goods is exceedingly large, 300 skilled hands are constantly employed. This was the first factory in the vicinity of Danville to employ female help, thereby effecting a great good by giving employment to many needy persons. Mr. Harrison was united in matrimonial bonds with Mary D. Farrell, a daughter of Edwin W. Farrell, a machinist of more than ordinary skill, of Philadelphia, and they are the happy parents of five children, namely: Annie; William; Lillie; Joseph; and Thomas. Socially he is past sachem of Mahoning Tribe, No. 77, I. O. R. M.; and was the organizer of Ialtah Tribe, No. 115, and of Meneola Tribe No. 187. Politically, our subject is a Democrat. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899) This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/pafiles/ File size: 4.3 Kb