Rev. John Harrison Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 742-745

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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REV. JOHN HARRISON, a Methodist divine, whose residence is in Tulare, 
South Dakota, where a quiet, restful life is rounding out an active 
career, is one of the talented minds of that portion of the country. 
The greater part of his life has been spent in guiding and educating to 
higher thoughts and better deeds. Although of feeble health, and 
advanced in years, he is ever ready to give a word of counsel and cheer 
from the pulpit, and his mental faculties are retained to a remarkable 
degree. He has an extensive library, comprising eight hundred volumes, 
and since his retirement he has devoted much of his time to reading. 

Reverend Harrison was born in Shropshire, England, January 14, 1818. He 
and a younger brother, Rev. William Harrison, were the only children 
born to William and Ann (Brown) Harrison. Their father was a farmer by 
occupation, and a common-school education was the only one accorded the 
sons, but they applied themselves to study at home, and accomplished 
their purpose, that of entering the ministry. Our subject began as a 
local preacher when but eighteen years of age, which he followed for 
eighteen years in the Primitive Methodist Episcopal church. His health 
broke down, and he engaged in, the merchandise business, and afterward 
started farming. He emigrated to America in 1860, and settled at Rome, 
New York, where he rented land, and followed the life of an 
agriculturist for three years, when he went to Wisconsin, and was 
traveling preacher for three years. While here he purchased land in 
Iowa county, and in 1883 he located in Dakota, and secured a half-
section of land in Tulare township, and his farm is now one of the best 
in the township, and is well improved. He afterward went to the village 
of Tulare, built several houses, and has since lived in retirement. He 
started the first Sunday-school and preached the first Methodist sermon 
in the village, and was active in the work toward instituting regular 
service. 

Our subject was married in England, in 1848, to Mrs. William Corns, 
whose maiden name was Ann M. Willet, and who was born March 25, 1814. 
Rev. and Mrs. Harrison have been the parents of four children: Annie 
M., now Mrs. William Willet, of Tulare township; John William, a 
blacksmith of Tulare; Apaphia W., now Mrs. Stephens; Emelia J., now 
Mrs. Hagman. Mr. Harrison was the first assessor of Tulare township, 
and has served several years on the board of trustees. He has supported 
every good cause, and is well known and held in the highest esteem in 
every community into which his work has led him. In political sentiment 
he is a Republican, prohibitionist and equal suffragist. Portraits of 
Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, found on another page, will be appreciated by 
their many friends.