Pioneer To Nebraska

Submitted by: NelliBlu28@aol.com

 

Ellen Josephine Owen Harrison, known as "Josie" to her family was born near Freeport, Illinois, August 13, 1867, to John and Lydia Owen, who moved to Missouri and from there the family came to Memphis, Nebraska where Mrs. Harrison lived for almost 70 years.

She married Herman Harrison in 1889 at Fremont, Nebraska. They made their home in Yutan, Nebr. for one year, moving then to Beemer, Nebr. for three years. They established a home in Memphis the following year and it became their permanent residence.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, two dying in infancy. This short tale was written by my G-grandmother and was shared with me by my Dad's cousin Marion Larmon of McCook, Nebraska. Marion's mother was LaVerne Harrison Patton, daughter of Ellen Josephine Owen Harrison.

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"One hundred sixty acres plus eighty acres of timberland was our farm, 10 miles west of Freeport, Yellow Creek, Illinois. Missouri home was three eighties, 80 acres of timber. Moved to Nebraska with three covered wagons. Ed and his family in one wagon; Father, Mother and I (Josie) in the third wagon. I was six years old. Thomas, 11 years old, rode a two year old colt, named Ned. Rosa, 8 1/2 years old, rode a two year old colt, named Pete. They drove six head of milch cows behind our covered wagons from Missouri to Nebraska; crossed the Missouri river on Ferry-boat at Nebraska City; then came to Ashland and on seven miles northwest to my sister's home (Sarah Wood) where they had homesteaded.

Their names were Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Wood (Will). Their land was one and two-thirds miles North and East of Memphis. Mr. Wood saw our three covered wagons coming across the prairie so he got on one of his horses and rode about a mile to meet us. And were we all tired and glad to get to my sister Sarah's home." - A short sketch of our coming to Nebraska October 10th 1873.

Always digging for my roots, Kathie Harrison
Lancaster Co. Coordinator, NEGenWeb Project

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~irishrose/lancindex.html

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