TIMELINE
Edmond Bigford was born about 1839 in
New York.
Barthania Harris was born
about 1845 in
New York.
The 1850 U. S. Census taken on September 21, 1850
shows Henry Harris (age 46) born in New York is a Laborer living in Jerusalem,
Yates Co., NY. Living with him is Eliza Harris (age 45) born in New York. Also
living there are five Harris people, all born in New York: John B. Harris (age
20), a Laborer; Sarah L. Harris (age 16); Maria I. Harris (age 13); William
Harris (age 8); and Bertha Harris (age 5). A Laborer was also living there.
The 1850 U.S. Census taken on November 6, 1850 shows
Samuel Bigfort (age 45) born in New York is a Farmer living in Auburn Twp., Fond
du Lac Co., WI. Living with him is Lovina Bigfort (age 39) born in New York.
Also living there are ten Bigforts: Sarah Bigfort (age 18) born in New York;
Betty Bigfort (age 16) born in New York; Clark Bigfort (age 14) born in New
York; Caroline Bigfort (age 12) born in New York; Edward Bigfort (age 10) born
in New York; Shoulette Bigfort (age 8) born in New York; Anne Bigfort (age 6)
born in New York; Jefferson Bigfort (age 5) born in New York; Ellen Bigfort (age
2) born in Wisconsin; and Orin Bigfort (age 1/2) born in Wisconsin.
George Van Vorst
was born August, 1851, in Wisconsin.
The 1855 Wisconsin State Census shows Samuel Bigford
is Head of Household and is living in Lamartine Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI.
John and Sarah were married October 7,
1859 in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI.
The 1860 U.S. Census taken on July 24, 1860
shows Henry Harris (age 54) born in New York is a Farmer with personal estate
worth $75 is living in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. Living with him is Eliza
Harris (age 53) born in Connecticut. Also living in the household: John B.
Harris (age 30) born in New York, a married Laborer; Sarah Harris (age 16) born
in Canada, married; William Harris (age 18) born in New York, an unmarried
Laborer; Bathana Harris (age 14) born in New York; and Francis Abbey (age 11)
born in Canada.
The 1860 U.S.
Census taken on July 24, 1860 shows Samuel Bigford (age 56) born in New York
with real estate of $1,450 and personal estate of $700 is a Farmer living in
Lamartine Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Lovina Bigford
(age 49) born in New York. Also living there are 8 Bigfords: Caroline Bigford
(age 22) born in New York; Edmond Bigford (age 21) born in New York, a Farm
Laborer; Jay Bigford (age 16) born in New York, a Farm Laborer; Jefferson
Bigford (age 14) born in New York, a Farm Laborer; Hellen Bigford (age 12) born
in Wisconsin; Orrin Bigford (age 8) born in Wisconsin; Samuel Bigford (age 7)
born in Wisconsin; and Annette Bigford (age 2) born in Wisconsin.
Ella Jane Harris was born February 24, 1862, in
Wisconsin.
John B. Harris was residing in Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co., WI when he
enlisted November 18, 1863 in Company A, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Wisconsin.
The last battle for the unit where John participated was fought on July
16, 1864 at Grand Gulf, MO.
John B. Harris was listed as a deserter on September 1, 1864.
After her marriage, John and Sarah went to St. Cloud,
Stearns Co., MN, for a few years and then to Paynesville, Stearns Co., MN.
The 1865 Minnesota State Census taken on June 1,
1865 shows shows Henry Harris is the Head of Household living in Clinton Falls,
Steele Co., MN. Living with him are: John Harris; Wm. Harris; Eliza Harris; and
Sarah Harris. Also living there are: Sarah Hale; Charlotte Hale; John Hale;
Sarah G. Hale; Wm. Harris, Jr.; Ella Harris; a male, Georgie Harris; a female,
B. Bigford; Martha Bigford; and Theodore Fish.
The 1870 U.S. Census taken on June 17, 1870
shows John Harris (age 39) born in New York is a Laborer living in Alberta Twp.,
Benton Co., MN with property worth $350. Living with him is his wife, Sarah
Harris (age 25) born in Canada. Also living there are their children: Wm.
Harris (age 10) born in Wisconsin; Ella Jane Harris (age 8) born in Wisconsin;
George Harris (age 6) born in Wisconsin; Lizzie Harris (age 4) born in
Minnesota; and Walter M. Harris (age 2) born in Minnesota. Also living in the
household was a domestic servant. Living in an adjacent house were John's
parents: Henry Harris (age 66) a Farmer with property worth $320 born in New
York and Eliza Harris (age 63) born in Connecticut.
The 1870 U.S. Census taken on July 20, 1870 shows
Samuel Bigford (age 65) born in New York with real estate of $3,000 and personal
estate of $700 is a Farmer living in Cuming City Precinct, Washington Co., NE.
Living with him is Lavina Bigford (age 56) born in New York, who is Keeping
House. Also living there are: Samuel Bigford (age 17) born in Wisconsin; and
Annette Bigford (age 12) born in Wisconsin.
The 1870 Mortality Schedule for Cuming City
Precinct, Washington Co., NE shows Ellen Bigford (age 22) born in Wisconsin died
by Suicide Drowning in May 1870.
The 1875 Minnesota State Census taken on May 1, 1875
shows
shows John B. Harris (age 44) born in New York to New York and Connecticut-born
parents is living in Alberta Twp.,
Benton Co., MN. Living with him is Sarah
A. Harris (age 31) born in Canada to Canadian-born parents. Also living there are: Wm.
H. Harris (age 14) born in Wisconsin to New York and Canadian-born parents; Eliza J. Harris (age
12) born in Wisconsin to New York and Canadian-born parents;
George W. Harris (age 11) born in Wisconsin; Lizzie M. Harris (age 9) born in
Minnesota to New York and Canadian-born parents; Hetta M. Harris (age 8) born in Minnesota
to New York and Canadian-born parents; Ida C. Harris (age 5) born in Minnesota
to New York and Canadian-born parents; Violetta V. Harris (age 3) born in
Minnesota to New York and Canadian-born parents; and Anna F. Harris (age 1) born
in Minnesota to New York and Canadian-born parents. Also living in the
household is Wm. A. Harris (age 34) born in New York to New York and
Connecticut-born parents. Living in an adjacent house were John's
parents: Henry Harris (age 71) born in New York to New York and Connecticut-born
parents; and Eliza Harris (age 70) born in Connecticut to New York and
Connecticut-born parents.
The 1875 Minnesota State Census taken on May 1, 1875
shows shows Samuel Bigford (age 62) born in New York to New York-born parents is
living in New Richland Twp., Waseca Co., MN. Living with him is a female, A.
Bigford (age 17) born in Wisconsin to New York-born parents.
Henry Harris died between 1875 and 1880 in Minnesota at
about age 70.
The 1880 U.S.
Census taken on June 11, 1880 shows
George Van Vorst (age 28) born in Wisconsin to New York-born parents is a Farmer
living in Roseville Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN. Living with
him is his wife, Nettie Van Vorst (age 16) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin and
New York-born parents and married within the census year, who is Keeping House.
The 1880 U.S. Census taken on June 8, 1880
shows John Harris (age 51) born in New York to New York-born parents is a farmer
living in Roseville Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN. Living with him is his wife Sarah
Harris (age 57) born in Canada to Canadian-born parents. Also living there are
their children: William Harris (age 19) born in Wisconsin; Ella J. Harris (age
18) born in Wisconsin; George W. Harris (age 16) born in Wisconsin; Lizzie
Harris (age 15) born in Minnesota; Hattie M. Harris (age 12) born in Minnesota;
Ida C. Harris (age 9) born in Minnesota; and Della Harris (age 4) born in
Minnesota. Also living in the household were John's widowed mother Eliza Harris
(age 75) a boarder with a Palsy disability born in Connecticut of
Connecticut-born parents, and John's unmarried brother William Harris (age 43)
who is a
farmer born in New York of New York-born parents.
The 1885
Minnesota State Census dated May 1, 1885 shows J. B. Harris (age 55) born in New York, who served as a soldier in the Federal army during the
rebellion is living in Roseville Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN. Living with him is Sarah
A. Harris (age 41) born in Canada. Also living there are: W. H. Harris (age
24) born in Wisconsin; G. W. Harris (age 21) born in Wisconsin; Lizzie M. Harris
(age 19) born in Minnesota; Ida Harris (age 14) born in Minnesota; Della Harris
(age 9) born in Minnesota; Sadie Harris (age 5) born in Minnesota; and Earnest
Harris (age 1) born in Minnesota. Also living in the household are: William
Harris (age 44) born in New York; and William Lantry (age 18) born in Minnesota.
The 1890 Veterans Schedule taken June 1890 shows
John B. Harris is living in Roseville Twp.,
Kandiyohi Co., MN. He was a Private in Company A, 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry, and
served from November 1863 to August 1864, for a total of 9 months.
The 1890 Veterans Schedule taken June 1890 shows
William A. Harris is living in Roseville
Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN. He was a Private in Company A, 1st Minnesota Infantry
Wisconsin Cavalry, and served from February 1864 to July 1865, for a total of 1
year and 5 months. Leigh Larson note: William A. Harris and John B.
Harris are brothers.
The 1895
Minnesota State Census dated June 14, 1895 shows John B. Harris (age 65) born in New York to New
York-born parents, who served as a Soldier during the
War of the Rebellion, and has lived Minnesota for 30 years and has lived in this
district for 18 years is a Farmer living in Roseville Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN. Living with him is his
wife, Sarah A. Harris (age 51) born in New York. Also living there are his five
children: George W. Harris (age 31) born in Wisconsin and has lived Minnesota
for 30 years and has lived in this district for 18 years, who is At Home; Della Harris
(age 18) born in Minnesota; Sadie Harris (age 15) born in Minnesota; Ernest
Harris (age 11) born in Minnesota; and John Harris (age 7) born in Minnesota.
John Benjamin Harris died May 17, 1899, in Regal, Stearns
Co., MN at age 68.
The 1900 U.S. Census taken on June 2, 1900
shows Sara
Harris (age 56) born February 1844 in Canada to Canadian-born parents is a widow living
in Roseville Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN, with ten of the fourteen children born to her
still alive. Living with her as head of the household is her
unmarried son, George W. Harris (age 36) born August 1863 in Wisconsin of
Canadian-born parents, who is a Farmer. Also there are her children: Earnest Harris (age 16) born
May 1884; John A. Harris (age 12) born June 1887; and Sadie Harris (age 11) born
July 1888. The last three children were born in Minnesota.
The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 15, 1900 shows
William H. Harris (age 36) born October 1863 in Wisconsin to New York and
English Canadian-born parents is a Farmer owning his own home free of a mortgage
and living in Melrose Twp., Stearns Co., MN. Living with him is his wife of 10
years, Isey Harris (age 31) born September 1868 in Minnesota to Norwegian-born
parents, with all five of the children born to her still living. Children living
at home, all born in Minnesota to Wisconsin and Minnesota-born parents: Orin F.
Harris (age 9) born October 1890; Worin Harris (age 7) born January 1893; Roy
Harris (age 5) born August 1894; son, Allison Harris (age 4) born March 1896;
and Cyrus Harris (age 1) born March 1899. Also living there is William's
unmarried uncle, William A. Harris (age 57) born December 1842 in New York to
New York and Connecticut-born parents, who is a Farm Laborer.
The 1905 Minnesota State Census taken on June 14, 1905 shows
Sarrah Harris (age 61) born in Canada to Canadian and Wisconsin-born parents and
having lived in Minnesota for 34 years and having lived in this district for 26
years is a Farmers Widow living in Roseville
Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN.
Also living
there are: George W. Harris (age 39) born in Wisconsin to New York and
Wisconsin-born parents and having lived in Minnesota for 34 years and having
lived in this district for 26 years, a Farmer; and Ernest Harris (age 21) born
in Minnesota to New York and Wisconsin-born parents and having lived in
Minnesota for 34 years and having lived in this district for 21 years, a Farm
Laborer.
The 1910 U.S. Census taken on April 27,
1910 shows George W. Harris (age 44) born in Wisconsin to New York and English
Canadian-born parents is an unmarried General Farm Farmer renting his farm and living
in Roseville Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN. All ten of her children are still living. Living with
him is his widowed mother, Sarah Harris (age 66) born in English Canada to New
York and English Canadian-born parents, with all ten of the children born to her
still living. Also living there is George's unmarried brother, Ernest Harris (age 24) born in
Minnesota to New York and English Canadian-born parents, who is a Farm Laborer Working
Out.
The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 19, 1910 shows
William H. Harris (age 49) born in Wisconsin to New York-born parents is a
General Farm Farmer owning his own mortgaged farm and is living in Melrose Twp.,
Stearns Co., MN. Living with him is his wife of 19 years, Isey H. Harris (age
43) born in Minnesota to Minnesota and Norwegian-born parents, with all nine of
the children born to her still living. Children living at home, all born in
Minnesota to Wisconsin and Minnesota-born parents: son, Allison Harris (age 13)
a Farm Laborer on the Home Farm; Cyrus Harris (age 11); Melvin Harris (age 9);
Alisemone Harris (age 7); Bernard Harris (age 5); Gorden Harris (age 3); and
Sarah Harris (age 12/12).
The 1920 U.S. Census taken on January 5,
1920 shows Sarah is a widow (age 76) listed as the owner and head of household living on James Street,
Paynesville Village, Paynesville Twp., Stearns Co., MN. Living with her is her
unmarried son George W. Harris (age 50) born in Wisconsin, general farming, and
one boarder.
The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 29, 1920
shows William H. Harris (age 61) born in Wisconsin to New York-born parents is a
widowed General Farm Farmer renting his farm and is living in Compton Twp.,
Otter Tail Co., MN. Living with him are his unmarried children, all born in
Minnesota to Wisconsin and Minnesota-born parents except Benjamin was born in
North Dakota: Ray Harris (age 25) a Telephone Office Operator; Cyrus Harris (age
20) a Farm Laborer on the Home Farm; Alisemon Harris (age 16); Benjamin Harris
(age 14); Gordon Harris (age 12).
Sarah Ann (Abbey) Harris died October 15, 1927 in
Paynesville, Stearns Co., MN at age 84.
The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 2, 1930 shows
Will Harris (age 70) born in Wisconsin to New York-born parents is widowed and
Retired and renting his home and is living alone in Bay Lake Twp., Crow Wing
Co., MN. Living next door is son Roy A. Harris and family.
The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 2, 1930 shows
Roy A. Harris (age 35) born in Minnesota to Wisconsin and Minnesota-born parents
and first married at age 27 is Rawleigh Products Salesman renting his home in
Bay Lake Twp., Crow Wing Co., MN. Living with him is his wife, Edith M. Harris
(age 28) born in Minnesota to Wisconsin-born parents and first married at age
22. Also living there are two Harris daughters, both born in Minnesota to
Minnesota-born parents: Mariel L. Harris (age 3-8/12); and Carrol E. Harris (age
2-4/12).
The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 9, 1930 shows
three unmarried Harris brothers are lodging at the Ira H. Foster residence, 2810
First Avenue, 8th Ward, City of Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., MN and all three were
born in Minnesota to Wisconsin and Minnesota-born parents: Allison J. Harris
(age 34) a Manufacturing Inspector; Cyrus W. Harris (age 31) a Manufacturing
Inspector; and Gordon G. Harris (age 23) a Manufacturing Machine Operator.
There was a William H. Harris who died September 8,
1931 in Otter Tail Co., MN.