DEMPSY HARRISON, farmer, P. O. Clay City, was born in North Carolina, March 26, 1826, and is a son of John G. Harrison (deceased), who removed with his family to East Tennessee when our subject was an infant. They afterward resided in West Tennessee, Kentucky, and in Illinois, near Shawneetown. While residing at the latter place, the mother died, and the family returned to Kentucky, where the father died, near Paducah, about the year 1835. Dempsy then went to live with his half-brother, Henry Hill, in Daviess County, Ind. He had but limited educational advantages, which consisted of a few terms taught by subscription in a rude log house with split pole seats, and a chimney built (from the joists to the roof) of sticks and clay. The fire-place consisted of a square place cut in the floor and filled with dirt, on which a heap of logs were piled, and the urchins stood all round it to warm themselves. Mr. Harrison has been successful as a farmer and stock-raiser, and now owns 240 acres of land. He was married, November 13, 1845, to Elizabeth Megehee, by whom he has had seven children, five living — John G., Martha A., Mary E., William H. and James M. Mr. Harrison came to this county in 1872. He is a member of the Baptist Church.
Extracted 26 Jan 2020 by Norma Hass from 1884 History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois, Part IV, page 186.
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