Harris, John L. bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 406-407; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
John L. Harris. Though there is a great similarity in the lives of most people that at a casual glance makes them almost identical, yet each human life possesses its own special point of interest, with which to claim the attention of the community in which they reside. And the life of our subject is peculiarly replete with interesting subject matter. He is the son of Isaac and Margaret J. (Littlejohn) Harris, natives of Ohio, the former born in the year 1813.
Our subject's father came to Illinois in company with his father, John Harris, the first settler in what is now known as Harris Township, a place that when organized was named in his honor. John Harris lived to be nearly a century old. The father was a soldier in the Black Hawk War and a prominent man in his locality. The Littlejohn family were early settlers in Bernadotte Township. The parents of our subject were married in the latter-named place.
Mr. Harris' father, previous to his marriage with our subject's mother had been married before, and to that union were born five children. His second marriage took place about forty-seven years ago and to this union have been born ten children, none of whom are living at the present time.
Our subject's birth occurred February 8, 1850, in Bernadotte Township, and in his native place he received a common-school education at the district school. He has from early childhood devoted his attention to farming, a choice of professions which his great success has proved to be a wise one. He continued to live with his father until his marriage December 22, 1872. The lady with whom he united his destiny being Miss Sarah S. Fayette, daughter of Jesse S. and Sarah (Herbert) Fayette, both of whom are dead.
Mr. and Mrs. Harris, after marriage remained on the home farm until 1876, and at that time removed to their present farm. Mrs. Harris died September 2, 1882, and her remains rest in Totten Cemetery. They were the parents of three children, viz: Nellie May, Sarah M., and Emma L., all of whom are receiving common-school educations.
Our subject was again married, October 7, 1883, to Miss Mary E. Waughtel, daughter of Henry Waughtel, one of the earliest settlers in Cass Township, and the first Supervisor. She was born December 26, 1853, at the old homestead and received a common-school education. To this union have been born three children - Edna, Clarence I., and Florence. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harris are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Smithfield, and he is Steward and Trustee of the same. Their interest in Sunday-school matters is great and their wealth and influence enable them to be of great benefit to all religious and worthy causes. Mr. Harris is a School Director in District No. 5. He is a Republican in politics.
Our subject is the owner of two hundred and seventeen acres here and one hundred and fifty-five acres in Cass Township, and sixty-two acres of valuable land in Bernadotte Township. His residence was built in 1881 at a cost of $800, and his barn in 1887, at a cost of $800, and these sums did not include his own work. His success through life has been marked, and is due entirely to his own exertions.