Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Harrison, James E. |
Othernames |
Jas. Harrison |
Born |
Apr. 25, 1879 |
Birthplace |
Owen Sound, Grey County |
Places of residence |
Owen Sound, Grey County West Street (1901 census) 927 3rd Avenue West, Owen Sound |
Titles & honors |
Mrs. Harrison: -Past Regent of the Earl Grey Chapter of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire -President of the Ladies Music Club |
Father |
John Harrison b. Feb. 9, 1824 England |
Mother |
Emma Harrison (nee Hart), b. Mar. 7, 184 |
Nationality |
Canadian |
Notes |
James Edward Harrison was born on April 25, 1879. His father, John Harrison, had started a sawmilling business in Owen Sound, that was located along the Pottawatomie River, near West Street. In the 1901 census, John and his wife Emma had two sons residing with them, Arthur N. Harrison, b. June 6, 1873 (age 27), who worked as a Lumber Dealer, and James E. Harrison, b. April 25, 1879 (age 21), also working as a Lumber Dealer. After the street names changed in 1909, the mill location was known as J. Harrison & Sons Ltd., at 1417 2nd Ave. West. It was a large site. After John Harrison passed away in 1901, Arthur (Pat) Harrison was President of the company, and James E. Harrison was General Manager. On June 1, 1905, James E. Harrison married Rebecca Brown Pratt. The family was very proud of their parkland along the Sydenham River. The treed area was eventually acquired by the town of Owen Sound, and became Harrison Park. Grace MacDougall recalled in later years that she remembered her father crying at the dining table when she was a girl, because he was sad that the parkland was sold. "The late Mrs. Harrison was the former Rebecca Pratt, daughter of the late Arthur and Mairia Pratt. Born in Owen Sound, she was a lifelong resident of the city. Her grandmother was one of the "quorum of five" who first organized what is now First Baptist Church here. She had retained an active interest in the church as long as her health had permitted. She was particularly active in the women's auxiliary there. Mrs. Harrison was active in many phases of the community throughout her life. She was a Past Regent of the Earl Grey Chapter of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire. During the war years Mrs. Harrison served as a liaison officer between the Red Cross prisoners of war and their next of kin. She was a member of the Golf and Country Club and the Grey Granite Club. Her home was frequently open to many social events in earlier years. On June 1, 1904, she was married to James E. Harrison, member of a prominent Owen Sound industrial family. He predeceased her 18 years ago." The Harrisons resided at 927 3rd Ave. West, Owen Sound. |
Occupation |
General Manager of John Harrison & Sons Co. Limited (Lumber, Lath, Timber, Shingles, etc.) |
Publications |
-Obituary for Mrs. J. Harrison in THE OWEN SOUND SUN TIMES, October, 1968 -Harrison, Arthur Pratt, HARRISON PARK OWEN SOUND ONTARIO 1875-1950, published in 1997, pp. 18, 113 -PRESERVING THE PEACE: A HISTORY OF THE OWEN SOUND POLICE FORCE 1840 TO 1990, p. 74 has an image showing the lumber yards and buildings of John Harrison & Sons Ltd. as they looked in the 1930s. |
Role |
Business person |
Spouse |
Rebecca Pratt (b. 1884-d. Oct. 1968, daughter of Arthur & Mairia Pratt of Owen |
Children |
-John Harrison -Arthur Harrison, b. 1918, m. Betsy Bowman -Grace Harrison (Mrs. C. S. McDougal / MacDougall of Toronto, m. Dr. Charles Spurgeon MacDougall) -Ruth Harrison (Mrs. Stephen Legate of Milton) -Josephine Harrison (Mrs. Mills of Owen Sound). -Margaret Harrison |
