HARRIS, Abner Logan
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 660-662

Abner Logan HARRIS is one of the most conspicuous citizens of Reedsburg, 
whose achievements, as well as those of his departed wife, must ever occupy a 
prominent place in the annals of that city and of Sauk County. Perhaps no 
other man has contributed as much as Mr. HARRIS toward the establishement of 
Reedsburg's reputation as one of the best market towns in the state of WI, 
while he has been equally active in promoting the various municipal 
improvements for which the town is famous. The excellent system of 
waterworks and electric lights, now the pride of every citizen, was 
established chiefly through his vigorous efforts and will always be a 
monument to his memory, it being conceded by rival cities that in the 
superior service and economical administration of its public utilities 
Reedsburg is unsurpassed.

Mr. HARRIS began his mercantile career in 1867 at Loganville, Sauk County, as 
a member of the firm of J. O. PHELPS & Company, but about four years later, 
when the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad reached Reedsburg, he removed to 
that growing village and his home has since been at that place. He then 
became a partner with John KELLOGG but this relation was dissolved a few 
years later and the firm subsequently became HARRIS & HOSTLER. Largely 
through his push and energy, the trade rapidly increased and the 
establishment assumed proportions which would do credit to a much larger 
city. In 1893 the STOLTE, DANGEL & FOSS Company was incorporated and still 
continues the mercantile trade, Mr. HARRIS retaining an important interest in 
the concern. The firm of HARRIS & HOSTLER still operates several large 
warehouses and deals extensively in potatoes and other products, having 
established this enterprise there in 1872. As postmaster and mayor of the 
city, each of which positions he filled for several terms, Mr. HARRIS always 
sought to make his office serve public rather than private ends, which fact 
accounts for is great measure of popularity and far reaching influence with 
the people.

Many of the sterling characteristics displayed by him have been inherited 
from his ancestors, a number of whom have been distinguished for thrift, 
enterprise and devotion to principle. His first progenitor on this continent 
was James HARRIS, who came from Bristol, England, in 1725, and engaged in 
merchant tailoring at Elizabethtown [Union County], NJ, where he married a 
Miss BOELYN. He was an Episcopalian and was an ardent supporter of the 
British crown during the troublesome times which preceded the Revolution, but 
did not survive the actual outbreak of hostilities. Several of his sons, 
however, joined the Continental army and some of their descendants have 
participated in every important war of the nation since. Previous to the 
Revolution, the family had acquired extensive tracts of land in NJ and their 
property suffered considerable damage from the depredations of the British 
troops. About the close of the 18th century, John HARRIS, one of the sons of 
James HARRIS, removed to PA and served in the Continental army from 1775 to 
1781, participating in the battle of Monmouth and other engagements. His 
wife was Mary HAMILTON, who sprang from the famous HAMILTON family of Lanark, 
Scotland. One of the sons of John and Mary HARRIS, Jonathan W., became an 
extensive farmer of [p 662] Richland County, OH, and later of the town of 
Troy, Sauk County, WI. He married Abigail C. CRACROFT and they became the 
parents of Abner Logan HARRIS, whose name heads this article.

This gentleman was born near Mansfield, OH, 15 Sep 1839, and came to Sauk 
County with his parents in 1846. He attended school for a time at Prairie du 
Sac and was married 13 Dec 1868, to Miss Frances SMITH. This noble minded 
lady was born at Oriskany Falls [Oneida County], NY, 20 Dec 1843, and died at 
Reedsburg [Sauk County, WI], 10 Mar 1899. She was a daughter of Ambrose and 
Juliet (PARKER) SMITH, who were early settlers of Reedsburg. The latter was 
a lineal descendant of John PARKER, one of the original proprietors of 
Wallingford [New Haven County], CT. Among his posterity was Gamaliel PARKER, 
who enlisted in 1777 under Captain Strong and served throughout the 
Revolutionary war. His son, Gamaliel, Jr., enlisted 1783 in Captain 
Chapman's Company, 2nd Regiment, CT Troops. The last named was the 
grandfather of Mrs. SMITH. Her father, Joel PARKER, married Albacinda 
BUNNELL, whose grandfather, Nathaniel BUNNELL, served in the Continental army 
from Cheshire [New Haven County], CT.

While her husband was chiefly occupied in advancing the commercial and 
material prosperity of the town, Mrs. HARRIS was ever active in works 
calculated to enhance the spiritual, moral and intellectual culture of the 
people. She was untiring in her efforts in behalf of the Presbyterian church 
and the various local kindred organizations. She founded the Reedsburg 
Woman's Club and was its president until her death. She was also an active 
member of the State Federation of Woman's Clubs, and contributed some 
noteworthy essays for its annual gatherings. In 1898 she was elected vice 
president of the organization for the Third congressional district. She was 
a prime mover in founding a chapter of the Order of Daughters of the American 
Revolution in Reedsburg, and originated the project to establish a free 
public library at that place. She was always distinguished for remarkable 
strength of character and determination of purpose, as well as for unbounded 
hospitality and amiability of dispostion. It was one of her maxims that the 
work of reform should begin at home, and her domestic duties were never 
sacrificed while participating in public events. In short, she was one of 
those individuals of whom it may be truly said that "the world is better for 
her having lived in it." She left a son, Dr. J. Earl HARRIS, formerly of 
Chicago, and a daughter, Miss Julia P. HARRIS, both of whom are graduates of 
the Wisconsin University. Dr HARRIS was a graduate of the Chicago 
University, of the Rush Medical Hospital of Chicago, and the Augustana 
hospital, and is now studying in Vienna, Austria.
Contributed by Cathy Kubly