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394 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
EX-PRESIDENT JOHN S. HARRIS, LA CRESCENT, MINN: 
A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 
(See frontispiece.) 
Through the medium of the agricultural’ press, the reports of the Min- 
nesota, Wisconsin and other state horticultural societies and the American 
Pomological Society, the name of John S. Harris, La Crescent, Minn., has 
become familiar to all the people of the Northwest who take an interest 
in horticulture, pomology, forestry or anything pertaining to progressive 
agriculture. 
Mr. H. was born in Seville, Medina County, Ohio, August 17, 
1826. He is a descendent of a family that has always maintained an hon- 
orable record as agriculturists and artisans, that class and rank upon ~ 
which the strength, stability and perpetuity of our country’s institutions 
rest, and with patriotism and loyalty to those institutions, that enabled 
them to make any sacrificein their defense. His ancestors were among the 
founders and defenders of this republic, and his parents, Samuel Harris 
of Connecticut and Mabel Gibbs of Massachusetts, were among the hardy 
pioneers who felled the forests of northern Ohio to carve out farms and 
homes and lay the foundations of the present prosperity of that great 
state. His father was a, thorough and practical farmer, and an enthu- 
siastic pomologist and gardener. At a very early age the lad, John &., 
exhibited a great love for horticulture, and, under his father’s instruction 
and a diligent study of the meager horticultural literature that found its 
way to western homes in that early day,soon became a skillful propagator 
of trees and plants, and at the early age of 11 years started and managed 
a nursery and garden of hisown. He remained upon the farm until the 
death of his father in 1844, when, following the advice of his-guardian, he 
served an apprenticeship to learn the cabinet maker’s trade; but during 
that time improved every opportunity to practice his favorite pursuit. 
In the spring of 1847, he enlisted as a private in Company ‘‘H,” 145th U, 
S. Infantry, to serve in the war with Mexico: went forward with his regi- 
ment, joined Gen. Scott at Pueblo and was with him in the campaign 
that resulted in the capture of the city of Mexico. After his return from 
Mexico he remained in Ohio about one year, then took a trip. west and, 
making his headquarters in Walworth County, Wis., spent much time in 
traveling over Wisconsin, northern Illinois and lowa, at that time a new 
and sparsely settled country, making long journeys on foot, often with 
no companion except a faithful dog and trusty rifle, the object being to 
recover his health which had been badly wrecked in the hardships and — 
privations of the Mexican campaign. In the summer of 1851 he landed 
in La Crosse still in poor health and with a cash capital of just one shil- 
ling, where, after working at carpentering or anything else that turned 
up for nearly two years. he engaged in the market gardening busi- 
ness. Finding tne sandy soil at La Crosse not reliable for gardening or 
adapted to fruit culture, in 1856 he removed to La Crescent and started 
a general gardening, fruit growing and florist business. He planted his 
first orchard in 1857, and has continued to plant more or less trees every 
