122 ANNUAL REPORT. : 
Mr. Harrison was not only a most prominent pomologist, but 
other departments of horticulture engaged his attention. — Indeed, 
his was a life of enthusiastic devotion to such pursuits. In early 
years, he was fond of planting trees, and seeds of trees. His home 
in southern Illinois, as in this State, was noted for its choice fruits 
and beautiful trees, many of which he reared from seed or planted 
with his own hands. The last planting at Belleville was done the 
same year he left for Minnesota, and consisted of all the choice 
things of the present day. Among the trees worthy of note about 
the grounds of his late home are a number of fine European Larches, 
some twelve or fifteen inches in diameter, and 25 feet high. These 
have been noticed in some of the Eastern papers and nurseryman’s 
catalogues, as examples of what may be done with this tree at the 
North, and on sandy soils. Another conspicuous thing, and the only 
one of large size we have seen in any place in the State, is a Ken- 
tucky coffee tree, standing on the south side of the house. This 
tree was obtained from the Groveland Nursery, with others, in 1861, 
and has made a fine growth. The hemlock is also to be seen on 
these premises, though often winter-killed. If planted on the north 
side of the building it might do much better. 
Floriculture was not overlooked by Mr. Harrison. All the leading 
and hardy shrubs were planted in abundance. So, too, were the 
hardy herbaceous plants, such as peonias, phloxes, lilies and the 
like. For a number of years, we have noticed in these grounds the 
beautiful Japan or lancifolium lilies. In the bay window we noticed 
a choice collection of plants, among which was a large variegated 
century plant that is not often cultivated as a parlor ornament 
though one of the very best for such a purpose. 
Mr. Harrison was engaged in several large business enterprises at 
Minneapolis. He was for many years connected with the lumber 
firm of J. Dean & Co., that has grown to be among the heaviest in 
the State. The North Star Iron Works were founded by William 
Harrison and a few others, a large part of which he owned at the 
time of his death. He was also a director in one of the city banks. 
Bee-keeping was a favorite business with Mr.: Harrison, and in it 
he was very successful. At one time at his Minneapolis home he 
kept nearly eighty stands, and from which a large amount of honey 
was taken annually. 
The death of Mr. Harrison was quite sudden, and unexpected by 
friends at a distance. He was sick but a few days, and his life 
ended most peacefully, and full of the Christian’s hope. He died 
May 2d, 1874, in his sixty-sixth year. 
His father, Thomas Harrison, was a local preacher of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church, in the faith of which his children were raised. 
William was connected with the Centenary for nearly fifteen years, and 
was considered one of its pillars. For its support, as well as all 
charitable objects, the ample means of William Harrison were liber- 
ally bestowed. In his death, the cause of religion, as well as the 
cause of horticulture, lost one of its most zealous friends and sup- 
porters. ‘The place of such men is not easily filled. In his death, 
the State lost one of its most valuable citizens. May his noble deeds 
in life’s great battle be an example for others to follow, and his ex- 
