John Harris was an American businessman and statesman. For many years, Harris and his family were considered the principal store keepers on the American frontier.
Background
John Harris was born at Harris Ferry, Pennsylvania, United States, the son of John and Esther (Say) Harris. His parents came from Yorkshire, England, his father being of Welsh descent and a brewer by occupation. Coming to Pennsylvania at an early date, John Harris worked his way to the back-country by easy stages, established a trading-post at Paxtang on the Susquehanna, purchased 900 acres of land, opened a ferry there, and became a prosperous trader and farmer. Esther Harris, a typical pioneer’s wife, was cool, alert, and quick-witted.
Career
On his father’s death in 1748 the management of the farm, trading-post, and ferry devolved on John Harris, the younger. He proved to be as capable and energetic as his father had been.
For thirty years, as trader, frontiersman, or officer in the provincial service, Harris wrote repeatedly to provincial or state officials urging defense against Indian raids, almost invariably giving warning that failure to take drastic action in protecting the frontier would lead to the abandonment or annihilation of the white settlements. Personally determined to hold his post to the last extremity, during the French and Indian War he recruited men, fortified his house, and in 1756 erected a stockade. Frequent conferences with the Indians were held at his place, one of which, on April 1, 1757, a large delegation of warriors from the Six Nations attended. Although Harris was drastic and firm in his relations with the Indians, he nevertheless enjoyed their confidence.
Confident of the future development of Harris Ferry, he built a fine residence there in 1766 and in 1775 planned to lay out a town, but the war intervened. To the Revolution he gave liberally all of his money and influence. After the war he renewed his plans for a town. In 1785 Dauphin County was created with Harrisburg the county seat. Harris conveyed land for a court house, jail, and square to trustees, as well as his right and title to the ferry, and in return he was given authority to lay out a town and to sell lots. He lived to see the town prosper and died at the scene of his life’s work.
Achievements
John Harris is considered the first settler to establish a trading post along the Susquehanna River. It was he who founded the city of Harrisburg, upon the site of what, for three quarters of a century, was known as Harris' Ferry; and what would later become the state capital of Pennsylvania.
(History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the c...)
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
"I think John Harris is the most suitable man to keep store, for he lives right in the road where our warriors pass, and he is very well known by us all in our Nation, as his father was before him. " - an Indian chief
Connections
Harris' wife was Elizabeth, daughter of David and Margaret McClure. His second wife was Mary Read.
