Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Pages 246-247

Francis M. Harrison, farmer, section 36, Union Grove Township, was born Jan. 1, 1839, in Fayette Co., Ohio. He accompanied his parents, Michael and Rachel (Rupert) Harrison, to Whiteside County when he was 12 years of age. His father was born in Tennessee, and his mother was a native of Kentucky. They were respectively of German and English ancestry. They settled in Union Grove Township in 1852, and the father died Dec. 1, 1863. The demise of the mother occurred Jan. 28, 1878. Following are the names of their 11 children, --George, Lucy L., William, John, Andrew J., Rachel, Michael, Jr., Louisa J., Francis M., Henry and Isabella.

Mr. Harrison received his educational training in the common schools of Ohio and Illinois, and he has been a continuous resident of the township of Union Grove, and he is one of its prominent agriculturists. His farm on section 36 contains 187 acres of land, which is under good cultivation. Politically he is a Republican, and he has held various local official positions.

The marriage of Mr. Harrison to Amanda M. Bell was celebrated Nov. 8, 1861, in the township of Union Grove, and they have become the parents of five children, whose names are Eli S., Augusta A., Leona S., Clara B. and Cora M. Mrs. Harrison was born Feb. 13, 1846, in Logan Co., Ohio, and she is the only child of her parents, Joseph and Harriet (Wells) Bell.