At some point we hope to have good documentation of the parents of John M. Harris. We have only suppositions at this time. The facts we do know about him and his family are the subject of this page.
John M. Harris (Tennessee Dec 1825) married Martha Jane Hunter (Kentucky Jan 1825) in Putnam Co., Indiana on 18 Jan 1849. There are 6 different children listed in various U.S. census years for this family. Israel is of special interest in our linage. Israel and Orlina were born in Missouri. The 4 older children were born in Indiana. We only have information concerning the date and place of death of Israel. These are the children:
Alfred Alexander
1845
Harriet E.
1848
James A.
1853
Sarah Jane
1856
Orlina C.
1860
The dates of birth of Alfred Alexander and Harriet E. as shown in the 1850 U.S. Census predate the marriage of John M. Harris to Martha Jane Hunter. These may be children from a previous (but unknown) marriage or children of another Harris family. In 1850 their home is listed as Cloverdale, Putnam, Indiana.
By the date of the 1860 U.S. Census the two older children are not listed, but James, Sarah Jane and Israel are listed. They are living in Marion, Dade, Missouri at this time. The value of their real estate is $800 and of their personal estate is $200.
The 1870 U.S. Census lists the family as living in Horse Creek, Dade, Missouri. At this time the value of their real estate has increased to $2800 and their personal estate has increased to $500.
Ten years later the 1880 U.S. Census lists John M. Harris, Martha and Orlina C. Sears living in Cedar, Dade, Missouri. The son, James A. Harris, his wife Ellen and a daughter, Nina B., are living on an adjacent farm.
By the time of the 1880 U.S. Census the youngest son of John M. Harris and Martha Jane Hunter, Israel, is living in Oregon and is married to Mary Victoria Bowman. They have a 1 year old son, Elliot Ray Harris, who is to become the husband of Hattie Alice Bliss. Some of the information in the 1880 census in Oregon about Israel seems inaccurate or unknown at that time. Perhaps Mary Victoria gave the information to the census taker and she was unsure of the facts. At any rate the census shows Israel’s father’s birthplace as Indiana and his mother’s as unknown. Israel and Mary Victoria were living in Flounce Rock, Jackson, Oregon and Mary J. Bowman, Mary Victoria’s mother, was also living in the household.
Throughout the period of these census records, when listed, the occupation of John M. Harris is indicated to be a laborer or farmer.
At the time of the 1900 U.S. Census John M. Harris and Martha Jane Hunter are living alone in their household in Cedar Township, Dade, Missouri.
By the date of the 1860 U.S. Census the two older children are not listed, but James, Sarah Jane and Israel are listed. They are living in Marion, Dade, Missouri at this time. The value of their real estate is $800 and of their personal estate is $200.
The 1870 U.S. Census lists the family as living in Horse Creek, Dade, Missouri. At this time the value of their real estate has increased to $2800 and their personal estate has increased to $500.
Ten years later the 1880 U.S. Census lists John M. Harris, Martha and Orlina C. Sears living in Cedar, Dade, Missouri. The son, James A. Harris, his wife Ellen and a daughter, Nina B., are living on an adjacent farm.
By the time of the 1880 U.S. Census the youngest son of John M. Harris and Martha Jane Hunter, Israel, is living in Oregon and is married to Mary Victoria Bowman. They have a 1 year old son, Elliot Ray Harris, who is to become the husband of Hattie Alice Bliss. Some of the information in the 1880 census in Oregon about Israel seems inaccurate or unknown at that time. Perhaps Mary Victoria gave the information to the census taker and she was unsure of the facts. At any rate the census shows Israel’s father’s birthplace as Indiana and his mother’s as unknown. Israel and Mary Victoria were living in Flounce Rock, Jackson, Oregon and Mary J. Bowman, Mary Victoria’s mother, was also living in the household.
Throughout the period of these census records, when listed, the occupation of John M. Harris is indicated to be a laborer or farmer.
At the time of the 1900 U.S. Census John M. Harris and Martha Jane Hunter are living alone in their household in Cedar Township, Dade, Missouri.