The Minor Family of Somerset

Jacob R. Harris, formany years one of the most prominent farmer
s of Posey Township, was born in Kortright, Delaware County, N.Y.
, May 20, 1802. His parentswere formerly from Connecticut, whe
re they were born. In 1811 thye moved toFranklin county, N.Y.
, after which he had no advantage of even a common school. In 1
817 he, with his parents, immigrated to this county, settling ne
arQuercus Grove, where his parents died some years afterward
. In 1823 he returned to New York to attend to some business fo
r his fther, making the entire journey on foot, traveling thirty
-three miles per Day, and carrying with him his carpet-sack. I
n 1824 he entered eighty acres of heavily timbered land, near Qu
ercus Grove, which he commenced to clear, erecting on it a log h
ouse,and on the Day after it was completed, January 5, 1826 h
e married Gertrude H.Scott, who is yet living. About this tim
e he commenced trading in real estate and various articles, alwa
ys meeting with success. In 1856 he purchased his Egypt Botto
m farm, and moved upon it. Here he resided until 1872, when h
e retired from business, having accumulated a considerable fortu
ne. He served as justice of the peace fourteen years, and the c
ounty as commissioner fortwelve consecutive years, and as a bus
iness man, public or private, he was far above the average in fo
resight and judgment. During his tenure of officehe succeede
d greatly in reducing the annual expenses of the county, and ret
ired leaving money in the treasury, though on entering upon hi
s official duties he found the county in debt. During the lat
e war Mr. Harris' faith in theUnion cause and the Voernment wa
s never shaken. He was not only one of the first purchasers of t
he Government bonds, but loaned quite a sum of money to the coun
ty at reduced rates of interest for the payment of special bount
ies,that the county's quota might be complete. Mr. and Mrs. Ha
rris are the parents of eight children, all of whom were permitt
ed to minister to his last necessities. IN his home life Mr. Ha
rris was ever the kind and indulgent parent, and into this sacre
d retirement he permitted nothing to enter to mar its peace. H
e united with the Methodist Episcopal Church when about seventee
n years of age, and continued an active, zealous member of the s
ame till his failing health prevented him from participating i
n its services, though he remained unshaken to the last in his f
aith in Christ and a happy eternity. For many years he was a li
censed exhorter and a class leader in the Church, whose office
s he never failed to fill with credit to himself nad profit to t
he cause. In May, 1882, Mr. Harris was prostrated by paralysi
s which, by a recurrence, terminated his life June 2, 1885. Dur
ing the long period of almost living death he murmured not, but
, patient in the hope of a sweeter rest immortal,thankful tha
t his children and his faithful wife were spared to witness in t
ender, loving sympathy his final dissolution, he calmly passed i
not the great and mysterious beyond.