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James Madison Harrison
JAMES MADISON HARRISON, retired oil operator, Parker’s Landing, Pa., was
born near Brady’s Bend, Armstrong county, Nov. 9, 1845, son of William and Ann
(Erwin) Harrison.William Harrison was born in Maryland, near Hagerstown, in 1815, and in
early manhood came to Armstrong county, locating near Brady’s Bend. He was a
brickmaker by trade, and for a number of years engaged in the manufacture of
brick at Brady’s Bend, Parker City and Bear Creek, in Armstrong county, and
also at Bruin, in Butler county. In later life he engaged in farming in Perry
township, where he died in 1898, being then in his eighty-fourth year. He was
a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting in 1861 in Company B, 103d Pa. Vol.
Inf., and after nearly two years of service was honorably discharged on
account of disability.William Harrison married Ann Erwin, who was born in Butler county, Pa.,
daughter of John Erwin, who was one of the pioneers of that county. He settled
near the present site of Petrolia, where he cleared and improved land, which
he sold later in life and purchased a small farm in Perry township, Armstrong
county, on which he spent the remainder of his life. To William and Ann
Harrison four sons were born: William H., James M., John E. and Henry H.,
William being deceased.James Madison Harrison grew up in Armstrong and Butler counties and
attended the district schools. When nineteen years of age, on March 16, 1864,
he enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company L, 14th Pa. Cav.,
and in August, 1865, was honorably discharged at Fort Leavenworth, Kans.
During this time many of the most important battles of the Rebellion were
fought, lost and won, and he took part at Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar
Creek, and many skirmishes and engagements, including the Lynchburg raid.In 1866 Mr. Harrison became interested in the oil industry and became a
driller and pumper as a beginner in the business, working until 1875 in both
Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He then secured leases in these States and
began operating on his own account, in which he continued with success. In
1910 he disposed of his interests and retired from active business.On Sept. 1, 1870, Mr. Harrison was married to Emily Elder, daughter of
Robert Elder, of Clarion county, Pa., and six children have been born to them,
namely: Daisy, wife of Elmer Royle; William O.; Robert L.; Anna, wife of F. B.
Digel; Grant, and Harry.From 1871 until 1894 Mr. Harrison lived in Butler county, and then moved to
Parker City, which has since been his home. In politics he is a Republican,
and for seven years served as a member of the city council. He belongs to
Craig Post, No. 75, G. A. R., and to Parker Lodge, No. 761, Odd Fellows, at
Parker City.Source: Page 975, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and
Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed November 1998 by Joyce Sherry for the Armstrong County Beers
Project
Contributed for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
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