Transcribed by Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Thomas HARRIS, an active and energetci business man of Princeton is now successfully conducting a combined bakery, grocery and restaurant, under the firm name of Harris & Sons. A native of England he was bborn on the 4th of August, 1842 in Somersetshire, and is a son of William and Elizabeth E. HARRIS, the latter of whom is still livng in Princeton, at the age of eighty-one years. Here the father's death occurred in 1837, at the age of forty-seven years. It was in the fall of 1834 that he crossed the Atlantic and brought his family to Princeton, Illinois, where he carried on a bakery, which has since been run by some member of the family. He was a modest, unassming man, but highly respected by those who know him. Of the nine children, seven are still living. One son, Edward H., owns a shoe store at Princeton, and a daughter, Hattie, widow of G R. COTTEL, also resides in that city.

The primary education of our subject was received in the schools ofhis native land, and he completed his literary course at Princeton. For two seasons he worked upon a farm, and then entered thebakery, which at that time was conducted by his mother. He has engaged in the business ever since and hasmet with good sucess in his chosen calling.

On New Year's day, 1867, Mr. HARRIS led to the marriage altar Miss Mary E. MATHIS, a daughter of of Samuel MATHIS, one of the earliest settlers of this locality, and to them have been born six children - Fred and Edward, both members of the firm of Harris & Sons, the latter of whom married Nellie DUNHAM, of Princeton; Maggie, wife of Harry E. PHILLIPS, of the same place, and Maud, Cassie and Blanche, who all assis in the store. The parents and three of the daughters are members of the Methodust Episcopal church, and socially Mr. HARRIS affiliates with the Modern Woodmen and the Masonic fraternities, belonging to the blue lodge chapter, while his political support is unwaveringly given to the republican party. He is closely identified with the interest of his adopted country, is an active, capable business man, possessing a cler judgment, and si simply endorsed with those qualities which make an honorable citizen, and secure for him the highest respect and regard of his fellow men.