Mark Harrison was born in Yorkshire England May 6, 1804. He was put on board a vessel, and became a sailor when quite young. He emigrated to the United States in 1826, and remained in New York and Rhode Island until 1832, employed as a sailor. He afterwards went to Chicago, and was engaged on a steamer in the Lake trade. In the spring of 1836 he settled in Whiteside county, and worked for Mr. Brink in digging out the mill pit at Empire. He made the claim of the Twin Grove property and the adjoining prairie, in partnership with Joe Mush in 1837. He married Mrs. Mary Taylor. Children: Elizabeth born October 18 1840, James H born November 23 1842, Sarah Ann born March 31 1847, Joshua K born September 3 1846; Joseph E. born September 25 1849, Joshua K. is dead; the others are living near their parents. The grandchildren number 27.

Mrs. Harrison was born in NC, September 10 1803. She lost both her parents, and lived with her brother keeping house for him after the death of his wife. The brother sold his property in NC and sent his two children, one nine and the other 5 years old to Illinois,under the care of their aunt. They walked the whole distance - fifteen hundred miles.

Her brother, remaining to dispose of the rest of his property, died suddenly with the cholera, and so the children were raised by their aunt. The niece became the wife of Edward Harris, and died in Sterling several years ago; the nephew went to Oregon, and was killed by the Indians. When Mr. and Mrs. Harrison were married , they cooked and ate their wedding dinner at their own cabin. They had no table, bed or chairs; a board, laid on two pins driven in auger holes in one of the logs of their cabin was their table, the seats were three legged stools; the bed was straw which was covered with a sheet. Several years intervened before the luxuries of a table and chairs could be indulged in. The party with which Mrs. Harrison came from NC carried all their goods on pack horses. The pack saddle was made of wood, and fitted the back of the horse. When Mr. Harrison was married he had just fifty cents, and his wife had fifteen dollars, all of which was invested, on joint account in the purchase of wheat, oats, and corn for seeding purposes. Mr. Harrison once took two fat cows to Galena to sell. He sold one for $5.00 and invested the whole amount in the purchase of two five-pound bunches of cotton yarn. Mrs. Harrison wove this into cloth, which constituted the only fabric worn by the family. Mr. Harrison sold Mr. Brink wheat at twenty-five cents and took as pay a three year old colt valued at $30.00. Joe Mush was also an Englishman. He came West with Mark Harrison, and as partners they made the claim of the Twin Grove and the adjoining prairie. He had some prairie broken in 1837 by James D. Bingham. He left and went East, and has not been heard from for many years.

Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County Page 225-226