Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 633.
 
JOHN HARRISON

     has shown what a man can do in Gilliam county when he takes hold with a
determination to win the smiles of dame fortune. This favored region is one of
the best in the west for those who are willing to display industry and thrift
and the magnificent resources that have for years lain ready for the hand of man
are but beginning to open their treasures to the enterprising ones. Mr. Harrison
is a man of decided worth and stability and his labors here for the last twenty
odd years have shown a wisdom and continuity that could but produce the
gratifying results now in hand. He owns over twelve hundred acres of choice
grazing and grain land, all well improved, has a good residence in Condon,
besides others through the country, has a large number of sheep, together with
other stock, and is, withal, one of the most prosperous men of the county. All
this has been gained by the wise efforts which he has made in the years gone by.
     John Harrison was bom in Lincolnshire, England, on September 27, 1852, and
there he was reared and well educated. His father, James B. Harrison, was born
in the same place as this son and was a prominent agriculturist and stockman
there. He married Miss Mary Hesnip, also a native of the same locality. Thirty
years were spent by our subject in the old country, then he was led by an
enterprising and adventurous spirit to come to the west, choosing the United
States as the objective point of his journey. Just why he was led to Gilliam
county, we are not told, but in due time he was in the territory that is now
embraced in this county. He was quick to discover the opportunities offered to
the industrious here and he availed himself of them. Condon was not in existence
then, few settlers were found on the broad prairies and when he settled on
Thirty-mile creek and embarked in the sheep business, he was fifty miles from
the nearest supply point. Mr. Harrison had no capital when he started and the
adversity and hardships he met with would have discouraged a less resolute man
than he. But he was not made of material that fainted at adversity, he could
journey with her and then gain success, and he did, as is abundantly evidenced
by his holdings at this time. In due time the country settled up and Mr.
Harrison was always a leader in the improvements that have come and that are
soon to be in this rich section.
     To our subject and his wife the following named children have been born:
Mrs. Ethel Weise, Mrs. Maud May, Mrs. Julia Thompson, Mrs. Nellie Martin, Mrs.
Sicily Palmer, John W., Charlie, Fred and Francis.


*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.