Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison is a native of Ohio. His father, Peter Harrison, was born in Loudounville, Va., was there married in 1776 to Sarah Bunting, and to them were born fifteen children: Samuel, Elisha, John, William, Unity, Richard, Patience, Hannah, Brazilla, Enoch, Daniel, Benjamin, Lydia, Susan and George Washington. In 1811, the family came to Ohio, and settled in Harrison County, where the parents died.
Benjamin Harrison began life with no means, all the property he had being a colt given him by his father. In 1854 he bought the farm where he now lives in Monroe Township, Holmes County, for which he paid $30 an acre. He has worked hard, and has now a good home for his old age. He married Phoebe Sidall, whose wedding dowry was $60, given her by her father. They have had no children, but have an adopted son, Sanford R. Harrison, who married Eliza Ann Baker, and they have no children of their own, but have adopted two, a boy and a girl. Mrs. Harrison died September 12, 1887, in the seventy-fifth year of her age. Mr. Harrison now makes his home with his adopted son. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having joined in 1843, and has held important offices in his church and also in his township. He is a third cousin to President Benjamin Harrison.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889