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biography
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Harrison, James Henry, an attorney-at-law of Pittsburg,
was born March 6, 1857, in Harrison township, Allegheny County, son of John Harrison. He is a grandson of Thomas Harrison, who emigrated to this
State from Newcastle-on-the-Tyne, England, during the earlier part of the present century, and is said to have been the first man who mined anthracite
coal in Pennsylvania. The father, who was a native of England, born in 1812, lived there until about ten years of age, when he accompanied his parents
to America. The first two years after their arrival was spent by the family in Pottsville, Pa. Then they went to the eastern part of Ohio, and lived
there for a year, after which they came to Pittsburg. John Harrison remained beneath the parental roof tree until at obtaining his majority, having been
engaged in his younger days in driving a six-horse team from Pittsburg to Philadelphia. He afterward turned his attention to agricultural pursuits,
first settling on what was then known as Grant's Hill, and later locating on what is now the Fourteenth Ward of this city. On one of the Schenley farms in
Bellefield he started a dairy, which is still carried on by one of his nephews. In 1855 he removed to that section of the county that was then called
Deer township but is now known as Harrison township, and there engaged in farming until his death, which occurred October 12, 1879. He was quite active
in local affairs, and for fifteen or more years served as treasurer of the School Board. He married Eliza Jane Sampson, of a locality that is now called
White Ash, this county. They had twelve children, of whom there are living: David H., Margaret, John Edmund, Annie E., Alice M., James Harvey, and Frank J. Margaret
is the wife of Joseph B. Beale, of Leechburg, Pa.; and Alice M. is the wife of H. H. Wray, of Leechburg. The parents also adopted an infant nine days old, Effie Belle Johnson,
who was baptized under the name of Harrison at the Presbyterian church, of which they were active members.
James H. Harrison acquired his preliminary education in the common schools of his native town. In 1873 he entered the commercial department of the Pittsburg High School, from which he was graduated in June, 1874.
During the following two years he taught school in Harrison township, in the meantime continuing his studies. Then he spent a year at the Washington and Jefferson College, going from the latter institution to
Lafayette College, from which he received his diploma in 1881. In November of that year he registered as a law student in the office of Bruce & Negley, and on January 5, 1884, was admitted to the bar.
He continued in the office of Messrs. Bruce & Negley until the following April, when he formed a partnership with the late Samuel C. Sawyer, and under the name of Sawyer & Harrison was successfully
engaged in business until the death of the senior member of the firm in February, 1890. With the exception of a very brief time Mr. Harrison has since conducted his business alone.
He has an extensive practice, which is largely confined to the insurance business, being a solicitor for a number of prominent companies.
Mr. Harrison was married June 18, 1884, to Miss Lulu B., daughter of George M. Alexander, of this city. Of their four children Annie Wray, the first-born, died after living three and one-half years.
The others are: George A., Harvey Taylor, and Donald I. Politically, Mr. Harrison is a strong advocate of Republican principles. He was made a Mason in 1888 at the Hailman Lodge, No. 321,
of which he is Past Master by service; and he is a member of Pittsburg Chapter, No. 268. Religiously, both he and his wife are members of the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, of which he was trustee and treasurer.
Biographical review: containing life sketches of leading citizens of Pittsburg and the vicinity, Pennsylvania. Boston: Biographical Review Pub. Co., 1897, Author: Anonymous, Submitted by C. Anthony.
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