Harrison Rees
Solomon Rees, the grandfather of Harrison Rees, came to this county, in 1806, and built and operated a brewery on the lot now owned by John Kneedler, in the suburbs of New Martinsburg. This was long before the town was thought of. Sampson, Hiram, and Owen, were his sons. The first two were born in Virginia, and Owen was born on the way from Virginia to this state, and on that account was afterwards known as " Owen Rees the traveler." Hiram and Mary (McVeigh) Rees, the parents of this subject had ten children: Sarah, Harrison, Isaac, Mary Ann, Noah, Ruth, John, Martha J., Rebecca, and Emily. Hiram first settled on Rattlesnake. He afterwards followed coopering and farming.
Our subject was born at the present site of New Martinsburg, November 13, 1816, and attended school in the pioneer school house, of round logs, puncheon doors and slab benches. Among his teachers, were Zena Wilcox, William Jury, and Jacob Todhunter.
He was married December 25, 1838, to Margaret, daughter of Rees and Mary (Madden) Ellis. This marriage ended in the death of the wife, nearly thirty years later, November 1, 1868. Mrs. Rees was a woman of remarkable piety, and was much devoted to a prayerful study of the Bible. She died childless. Mr. Rees was again married, on the 13th of October, 1869, to Mrs. Ann (Dill) Daugherty, relict of Joseph Daugherty, who died in the army, a member of Company C, 114th O. V. I. They had six children born to them: Noah A., Joseph H., William H., Mary M., Alice H., and Anna May. By her marriage to Mr. Daugherty, Mrs. Rees is the mother of three children: Ehza E., Libbie, and Nancy J.
Our subject spent a brief time in Champaign County, in 1844 and 1845; but with this exception, his life of sixty-five years has been spent in the vicinity of the village of New Martinsburg. He began his business of shoe making in 1848, and has ever since given his main attention to that trade.
In the year 1849, he was elected constable of his township, and with the exception of two years, he has been successfully re-elected to that office. He has also assessed the chattels of Perry Township every year, save three, since 1854. Mr. Rees has been an Odd-fellow for the past sixteen years. He is widely known in tlie county, and much esteemed for honesty and integrity. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County