Washington County Pioneer Of 1867 Is Called Home

After a lingering illness of several months’ duration, W. G. Harrison, one of the real pioneers of the county passed away at his home several miles south of Blair Wednesday night at 6:00 o’clock.

For some time Mr. Harrison had been in failing health and his condition had been a matter of great concern to his many friends ever since he first became sick. From a strong, rugged man he had gradually failed until he was compelled to use a staff and during his last few visits to Blair on shopping trips it was freely commented on among those of his close friends how rapidly he was failing. A few weeks ago he was compelled to take to his bed and to the few who were allowed to visit him he confided that he had no hopes of recovery, and had become reconciled to his fate. For nearly two weeks before his death he had been unable to take any nourishment – not even a drink of water, and the loving hands of his wife and daughter could only keep a damp cloth to his lips in the hope of relieving his sufferings as much as possible.

William G. Harrison was born in Wythe county, Virginia, March 10, 1864, coming to Washington county, Nebraska in 1867 with his parents, and marrying Miss Frances Van horn in 1867, to which union two children were born, George and Ada. George passed away during the “flu” epidemic of several years ago leaving three children and a wife; the wife following him with the same malady shortly afterwards, since which time the children have made their home with their grandparents, one of the fondest hopes of Mr. Harrison being that he would live to see these grandchildren grown.

For a great many years the Harrison family lived in Blair, where Mr. Harrison conducted a livery stable on two of the lots now occupied by the Rathmann Garage, but foreseeing the end of the livery business in the early stages of the automobile industry he disposed of his interests and moved to the farm, where he has since resided. Mr. Harrison was always ambitious and since going back to the farm has added many improvements, one of which was a modern, commodious home, that was the admiration of all who drove the High road to Omaha.

During his residence in Blair, which covered a period of a number of years, Mr. Harrison was very active in republican circles as well as the civic affairs of the city, never failing to give both of his time and money when he was convinced that he could “put his shoulder to the wheel” of civic progress to good advantage. He was county commissioner for five years, a member of the Blair city council for six years, a member of the Nebraska state legislature of the 1903-4 session, and also served this city as mayor.

In his passing the county loses a valuable citizen, and the sympathy of the entire community is extended to the surviving widow, daughter and grandchildren. The funeral will be held from the home at 2 o’clock on Friday afternoon.

#2 Enterprise 3 Jan 1924

BLAIR PIONEER ANSWERS CALL

Mr. W. G. Harrison, pioneer settler of this county and for many years a business man of Blair, passed away at his farm home south of this city at six o’clock Wednesday evening, January 2.

Mr. Harrison was born in Wythe county, Virginia, March 10, 1854, coming to Omaha in 1865 and to this county in 1869. He was a member of the Nebraska legislature in 1902 and 1903 and served as mayor of Blair and several years as councilman. He was also a member of the county board at the time of the building of the present court house.

He was a resident of Blair from 1884 to about 1909 when he returned to his fine farm which he improved and where he was living at the time of his death.

He leaves to survive him his wife, one daughter, Ada Harrison; three grandchildren, one brother, James N. Harrison of Herman and a sister, Mrs. Dolan of Blair.

The funeral services will be held at the farm home at 2 o’clock on Friday with Rev. Marsh of the Episcopal church officiating and interment made in the Blair cemetery.

#3 The Pilot 9 Jan 1924

We mislaid our note about the death of W. G. Harrison last week and failed to make mention of it in last week’s issue. His death occurred on the 2nd, following an illness of several months duration, at his farm home six miles south of Blair on the high road to Omaha. The funeral service was held at the house at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon, January 4th, Rev. A. E. Marsh officiating. Mr. Harrison was born in Wythe county, Virginia, March 10th, 1854, so would have been 70 years of age in March. He came to Omaha in 1865 and to this county in 1869, which has been his home since that time. He was married to Miss Frances VanHorn in 1887. He moved from the farm to Blair in 1884 and conducted a livery and feed barn for some 25 years, returning to the old farm when the auto killed the livery business. He served the county in the lower house of the state legislature in 1902 and 1903, had been mayor of the city and councilman for many years, and was a member of the county board of supervisors when the present court house was constructed. He is survived by his wife, one daughter, Ada, three grandchildren, a brother, James, of Herman, and one sister, Mrs. Dolan. An only son, George, passed away during the “flu” epidemic during the World war and his wife followed shortly thereafter, leaving three small children, which their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, took to raise. Mr. Harrison had been active in republican politics in the county for many years and had a wide circle of friends who will miss and mourn him greatly.

#4 Another Article:

HARRISON FUNERAL HELD IN BITTER COLD FRIDAY

Despite the bitter cold weather of last Friday a large number of friends attended the funeral of the late W. G. Harrison, mention of whose death was made in these columns last week.

It might be well to mention here the satisfaction and enjoyment Mr. Harrison got out of the visits of his friends and neighbors during his last illness and the comfort he took in realizing that he had so great a number of friends. He often spoke of it to Mrs. Harrison and Ada and it is one of the pleasant memories of their recent trial that the bereaved family will always be able to look back upon. Some called quite often, others came once or twice, Mr. Harrison keeping track of the umber until a week before his death and taking much pleasure in doing so. The week before Christmas there were just fifty callers who will never know the comfort they gave the sufferer who in his last days often remarked to his wife and daughter, “I didn’t know I had so many friends.”

The family has asked The Tribune to extend their heartfelt thanks to the public in general and those who called during Mr. Harrison’s last illness in particular, for their many acts of kindness and other tokens of love in their recent sad trial. They will ever hold all in grateful remembrance.

(Mr. Harrison was born in 1854, instead of 1864, and was married in 1887 instead of 1867, typographical errors made in last week’s mention that were overlooked in the rush incident to press day – Editor.)

~~~ Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

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