The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-09-04
O B IT u A r Y.
Judge Bash Harrison, centenarian

On Sunday afternoon, August 80 at four O'Clock,
there died at Prairie Roads, Kalamazoo county,
Michigan, centenarian OF remai kable and venera-
bic history. whose life is worthy OF record and CON-
ment. Judge Basil Harrison was one OF the chief
and most energetic pioneers OF Michigan. His
ancestry was OF hardy and patriotic stock, and
Is even i'll ustrious in the annals OF the early vIcs
STUDIES OF this nation. His paterna grand parents.
respectively Scotch and Welsh Dy BIRTH mmi-
grated to Virginia in the early part OF
the eighteenth century, and settled in Berkeley
or Charles county. His father, William Har-
rison, born in 1882. was twice married, and had
twenty three children, Basil being the third of
the second wife, Worlender Davis. william HarrI-
son had served under the young Major Washington
In Braddock's celebrated but disastrous expedi-
tion against Fort Duquesne. The uncle o. the
subject OF this obituary and father OF President
Harrson-Benamin HarIison-marred the mother
OF Worlender Davis, who was widow. He
one Of the prominent men OF the Revolution,
man OF great intellectual power and brilliant
career. He entered public life at twenty-four as
g member Of the Virginia House of Burgesses, OF
which he soon became one Of the leaders. He
participa ted IN the proceedings OF the First Con-
gress, and was q signer OF the Declaration, and
during the first two years Of the war served with
distinction as Chairman OF the Board OF War. He
was an intimate friend OF Wasbingio on, aud was
three times elected Governor OF Virginia. William
Harrison was not lacking In natural capacity
and not behind his younger brother in patriotism.
Although in his worldly career he was not emf
nenty successful he did not live in vain for his
country. OF his twenty-three children sixteen
attained their majority. and Judge Harrison often
described, with lrde and enthusiasm, the depar-
ture of six OF his elder brothers lor Washipg,on's
army. 1t was probably In the year IT'S when this
occurred.
Judge Harrison's parents were married In
Frederick county, Maryland, about 1850. and he
was born near Baltimore on the 18th Of March, in
the year III, according to his own testimony. His
eldest son contends that he was born in 17Io, just
twenty years before his own birth. None of his
brot hers aud sisters, fifteen OF whom grew up to
maturity, are now living. The father died at
good old age in 1872 In his early youth our cen.
tenarian emigrated with his parents from
one county to another in Maryland
and Virginia until, in his fourteenth
year, his family sojourn ned in Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, near the village OF Green
castle. He here attended the common school for
about three months aud learned to read and write.
Like most boys, he early fell IN love, the object Of
his adorng passion beng Martha Stlllwell, the
daughter OF a farmer living near MS father. The
attachment was reclprocated, and the young couple
ing their happy courtship. He was nearly nine
teen and she three years his junior Bash, whose
Martins parents to their marriage Her er' father
liked his frank and kindly ways and favored the
match, but Dame stnlwell had higher aspirations
tor her daughter. She wished her 10 wed the
possessor OF broad acres, and not PENN
ess s soud vo ss
not give her consent. Grieved were the
lovers at THIS decision, but by no means
clandestlne interviews they renewed their pledges
OF aIfectlon, and. encouraged by Marthas father,
seau was mostly made by stealth in Martha's own
room al night she receiving some little assistance
70 be entirely out Of shoes, Tor It was in March,
| and young LADIES' then were not ashamed 70 be
seen in their bare feet while in the house and very
crude progans when the weather made covering
! Tor the feet necessary. But the etiquette Of
1 Greencastle in 1890 did not permit bride to ap
/ pear shoeless and shpperess at ner wedding:
Ready made shoes were unknown IN the town and
the needed articles must be MADE to measure:
Several plans JAILED. and her father was compelled
to move cautiously in view of the TACT that Dame
Stinwell was somewhat suspicious. The mat
ter was delayed TOR favorable opportuni-
ty until the day before the wedding when, further
procrastnation being out OF the question, the
In the forenoon Of the last day OF grace he came
into the weaving room where mother and
began 20 joke Martha on the size OF her ieet.
Picking up shingle Carefully placed within
reach beforehand Tor the purposel he drew .
diagram OF measurement of her pedal extremlties,
the dimensions or which he laughed immoderately
about with his WIFE, to the appare I great discom.
the shingle out OF the window. Fifteen minutes
after ina. single was IN shoemaker wilkins ms
!
night to finish the pumps in which the
runaway bride was to stand at her wed.
dnSer IT time Martha Slipped away and with her
father for witness she and Bash were made one
by the village ustce The o1tWtted mother Of
monial journey oil Basil Harrison and Martha
Stlllwell. and Tor nearly seventy years did the TWO
live together as man and WIFE, unit on June T. 1857,
the union was broken by ner death
The newly married couple three years after
1ngton county. where they resided until 1910. In
Franklin county the patriarch Basil cast his first
Tor second term and repeated the performance
OF his duty at the polls as q cltlzen and patriot
at eve y subsequent Presidential election, except
to Kentucky: where he visited his cousin. General
below the city OF Cincinnati. Mr.. Harrison was
distler in this region Tor about two years. and
| alter General Harrison had whipped Tecumseh Id
the battle OF Tppecanoe and hostiities had broken
o.; h S I former WIZ Ss again q
the wars. Our hero, IL Is asserted, did not lack
courage, but he had distaste for strife, and ac-
cordngly sent substitute TO the army in the
person OF his brother Ephraim. He and one Of
his sons bought farms IN Kentucky, but after the
war they became disguised with the troubles
growing out OF the military lard claims and de-
| where settlements were yet rare. Michigan was
the chosen land, and thltherward they started.
| The party OF pioneers consisted OF twenty.oue
persons, among whom were Judge Harrison and his
| vie, four OF ms unmarried children, one married
uaukutSt duu uSi iohhAJy htS oiotuct auu
his family and two neighbors. Their adventures
on the long Journey which they had undertaken
as they were lucldiy and faithfully related by the
/ ceutenarlan many years aterward-were exceed
| lngy inter estiug. AT length, on the evening OF
the 5th day Of November, 1928, they lighted their
| camp fires on the southeastern edge OF Prairie
Ronae or co-tdn0-scotah, as the indians
call it, meaning the round rre platp,"
| The next morning the whole party were up be.
| times, and while they were bieakfastng around
the cheerful fire In the clear crisp dir OF early day,
Sagimore, the chief OF the Pottaw atomies. accom-.
panied by ten or dozen OF his braves, all decked
| In gay costume, and faces respondent with
paint, came to their camp and made friendly
| overtures Sagtmore was magnificent specimen
OF the aDorfgine. His looks, his manners, his dne
parent to a inspired confidence 10 the pale faces,
and they freely questioned'him as best they could
| by signs and the few words OF Indian language
| they understood as to where water could be mad
and in regard to such matters as most interested
our pioneers al this time. Sar more gave them all
| the Information he could convey TO them, ana the
fho lxa1io IIn.si