Biographical Sketch of

Ananias Harris

Transcribed by Joan Benner

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, 
Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 387 - 388


Ananias Harris, one of the most successful farmers of Adams county, was born in the town of Henderson, Jefferson 
county, New York, December 13, 1812. He has led an life of industry, frugality and temperance, and though now in 
the eighty-seventh year of his age, he still exhibits remarkable activity of mind and body. He sprang of early 
New England families, many members of which have been conspicuous for physical longevity, independent ideas and 
stability of purpose.

He is a lineal descendant of Anthony Harris, senior, who was born on Welsh parents at Richmond, Chester county, 
New Hampshire, in 1736. Among his children was a daughter, Lydia, who became the mother of Reverend Hosea Ballou, 
the famous pioneer of Universalism in New England. He also had a son, Anthony, who became the father of Jeremiah 
Harris, the grandfather of the subject of this notice. Jeremiah Harris was also a native of Richmond, New Hampshire, 
and lived at different times in New York, Canada, Ohio and Pennsylvania. His later years were spent int he last 
named state, and his death occurred in the town of Springfield, Erie county, about 1847, at the age of over eighty 
years. He was an earnest adherent of the Universalist faith, and very fond of religious argument, at which he 
excelled. Though never ordained as a minister, he frequently filled the pulpit and always attracted goodly 
congregations. He married Priscilla Cole, who departed this life in 1868, after attaining the age of nearly 
ninety years. She was a daughter of Barnabas Cole, who was born at Chatham, Massachsetts, and enlisted from 
that state in the Continental army. He is supposed to have been a descendant of Isaac Cole, a native of Sandwich, 
county of Kent, England, who came to Massachusetts in 1634. In civil life Barnabas Cole was a farmer. He died in
the town of Conneaut, Erie county, Pennsylvania, at the age of nearly eighty years.

Jeremiah and Priscilla Harris were the parents of seven sons and two daughters, several of whom reached the age 
of more than eighty years. Their names were: Silas, Levi, Barney, Luke, Jeremiah, Caleb, Ananias, Sarah (Mrs. C. 
P. Ellis) and Melissa. All but the last named reached mature age, and six of the number became residents of 
Wisconsin. Levi was a Universalist clergyman.

Ananias Harris, who is the only survivor of his father's family, was about fourteen years old when he located with 
his parents in Springfield, Pennsylvania. He lived there until 1856, when he came to Wisconsin. After spending one 
season in the town of La Grange, Walworth county, he settled on his present farm in the town of Springville, Adams 
county. A small clearing had previously been made thereon, and he at once set about its further improvement. From 
time to time he made additions to the original purchase, and has owned more than a section of land in all. Though 
he has given each of his children a farm, he still has two hundred and forty acres with substantial improvements. 
The farm is well stocked and under a high state of cultivation. He has concerned himself very little with public 
affairs, but has maintained a reputation for strict integrity and persevering industry.

Mr. Harris was first married, January 20, 1839, to Margaret, daughter of Joshua and Margaret Smith. She was a 
native of Pennsylvania, and died at Springfield, October 6, 1841 at the age of twenty-three years. She left two
sons: Milo and Charles G. The latter, who served three years in Company E, Nineteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 
was seized with consumption while in that service and died at Springfield, Pennsylvania, not being able to reach 
his home in Wisconsin.

April 18, 1845, Mr. Harris was married to Phoebe Cordelia, daughter of Isaac and Jane (Cole) Brower. Mrs. Harris 
was born in the county of McKean, state of Pennsylvania. Her parents were natives of New York, her mother probably 
of the same family from which Barnabas Cole descended. Six children were born to the last mentioned union, George 
Britton and Cordelias P. having died in childhood. The survivors are: Margaret E. (Mrs. H. S. Willard), Edson B., 
Matilda Jane and Julia (Mrs. George Ager), all living in Adams county.


Transcribed by Joan Benner






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