| L. H. Harris, merchant and a prominent citizen of Gadsden, Tenn., is a son of Newton and Mary (Spencer) Harris, both of whom were born in North Carolina in 1801. They were married at the age of twenty, and soon came to Madison County, Tenn., and followed farming until 1869, when they removed to Gadsden, and here the father died in 1881. His widow is still living, and resides with our subject, who was born in Madison County in 1844, and was educated in the common schools. In August, 1863, he joined Company C, First Kentucky Cavalry, and was wounded at Brice’s Cross Roads, Miss., June 10, 1864, and was unfitted for further duty. He was paroled in May, 1865, at Columbus, Miss., and returned home and followed the plow until 1869, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Gadsden, and, with the exception of a few years, has continued the business to the present time. He carries a stock of hardware and groceries to the value of about $1,200. He also owns 176 acres of good land in Gibson County, besides one business block and several dwellings in Gadsden, nearly all of which he has accumulated by his own efforts and good management. November 22, 1871, he married Miss Clara Humphreys, daughter of William and Mary Humphreys. Of their eight children seven are living: John H., Nancy B., Edgar Raymond, Hiram Smithson, Newton, Clara, Auburn Ann and William (deceased). Mr. Harris is a Democrat and Mason and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. |
