From the Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties Indiana, Volume I, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1918:

William and Julia A. (Jones) Harris, both natives of Knox County, Ohio. After their marriage and the birth of one child they removed to Adams County, securing a tract of eighty acres of Government land near the center of Monroe Township. This was cleared up and some crops were made before any of the roads had been laid through that district William Harris was a man of much energy and good business principles and eventually extended his farm to comprise 280 acres. Though he died at the age of forty-seven he was accounted one of the most financially prosperous citizens of the township. His widow survived him many years and passed away about 1910. She was born in 1830. The original eighty acre homestead of the Harris family is still owned by the younger daughter, Mrs. William Hendricks. The Harris family were Lutherans.

The 1850 census lists William as 28 but his headstone shows that he should have been 26. It also lists the value of his farm at $400. The age is corrected on the 1860 census, and his real property has increased in value to $2000, personal property is $1000.



WILL BOOK B, Pages 76, 77, 78. No 152
I, William Harris of Monroe Township, Adams County, State of Indiana......
Wife Julia A. Harris
Heirs Wife Julia
son Thomas H. Harris
daughter, Achsah A. Harris
son Bernard P. Harris
daughter, Sarah J. Harris
daughter, Martha E. Harris
My wife to be guardian of the three youngest children.
William Harris died 7th day of September 1871, declared by witness.
Will Signed William Harris 5th day of January, 1871.
Witt: Mathias Striker, Lucinda Striker.
Exec: Wife Julia and son Bernard P. Harris
Probated 12th day of September, 1871.
Clerk of Court, A. J. Hill
Original Will and Estate of William Harris located at the Decatur County Jail, Adams County Indiana. Copied by Mary Slabaugh, July 1999.

WILL OF WILLIAM HARRIS Original will at Decatur Jail, Decatur, Adams County Indiana
No. 154

I William Harris of the county of Adams in the State of Indiana so make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and from following that is to say
FIRST
It is my will that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be paid
SECOND
I give and Bequeath to my beloved wife JULIA A HARRIS in lieu of her dower, the Eighty (80) acres of land on which we live being the EAST half of the NORTH WEST quarter of Section twenty two (22) township twenty six (26) NORTH of Range fourteen (14) EAST also all her personal property, monies and effects by me now owned also all the household furniture and other items not particularly named and otherwise disclosed of in this will as long as the above said Julia A Harris my wife remains my widow provided that the above said Julia A Haris my wife does give to Thomas H Harris, Martha E Harris and Achsah A Harris my three youngest heirs each and severally one horse, saddle and bridle valued at one hundred and twenty dollar, one cow, one bed and bedding also the above said Julia A Harris my wife is to pay to the above said Achsah A Harris when she becomes of age or marries the sum of Eight Hundred dollars to make her equal with the other heirs provided that the said Julia A Harris my wife can command that amount if not the said $800.00 to be paid out of the first monies coming to the heirs.
THIRD
Provided that the said Julia A Harris my wife marries then let there be set off to her what the law allows of the Real and personal Then first let the said Achsah A Harris be paid the above said $800.00 as her share to make her equal with the other heirs. then let the balance if any be divided equal between my five heirs: Bernard P. Sarah J. Thomas H. Martha E. Achsah A Harris.
FOURTH
At the deceased of the said Julia A Harris my wife let the balance of the Real Estate and personal property by sold then let the funeral Expenses be paid and all just debts there let the balance be divided between my five above named heirs.
FIFTH
I now will and bequeath to my son Thomas H Harris Seventy (70) acres of land being situated as follows being the EAST part of the NORTH half of the NORTH EAST quarter of section twenty two (22) Township Twenty six (26) NORTH of RANGE fourteen (14) EAST containing seventy acres more or less. The said Thomas H Harris when be becomes 19 years of age is to have his time also the proceeds of the said seventy (70) acres of land, the said Thomas H Harris is to pay the tax on the said 70 acres of land after he is 19 years of age, then at the age of 21 years there shall be a deed made to the said Thomas H Harris for the said (70) acres of land.
SIXTH
I also will and bequeath to my Daughter Martha E Harris forty (40) acres more or less being the WEST quarter of the SOUTH EAST half of the NORTH EAST quarter of SECTION TWENTY (22) township twenty six (26) NORTH of RANGE fourteen (14) EAST ,also the WEST part of the NORTH EAST of the NORTH EAST quarter of section twenty two (22) township twenty six (26) NORTH of Range FOURTEEN (14) EAST, containing (10) acres more or less, the said Martha E Harris is to have a deed for the said land when she marries or becomes twenty one (21) years of age.
SEVENTH
I further more will and bequeath unto the said Julia A Harris my wife to have and to use as her own all the proceeds and profits of the said one hundred and twenty acres of land willed to the Thomas H Harris and Martha E. Harris until they come in possession of said lands according to this will . The said Julia A Harris my wife is to pay the taxes on the said lands until they come in possession of the said Thomas H Harris and Martha E Harris
EIGHTH
I hereby nominate and appoint the said Julia A Harris my wife guardian of my three youngest children.
NINTH
I do hereby nominate Julia A Harris my wife and Bernard P Harris my son Executors of this my last will and testament hereby authorizing and empowering them to compromise adjust release and discharge in such manner as they may deem proper the debts and claims due me
In testimony where of I have hereto set my hand and seal this 5th day of January 1871.
William Harris

Signed and acknowledged by the said William Harris as his last will and testament in our presence and signed by us in his presence
Witnesses Mathias Striker, Lucinda Striker

Page 78
State of Indiana, Adams County
Be it known that Mathias Striker one of the subscribing witnesses of the last will and testament of William Harris late of Adams County deceased personally appears before the undersigned Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Adams County being of lawful age and being by me duly sworn deposed as follows: that William Harris deceased on the 7th day of September 1871, that he left the following as his last will and testament that the undersigned was present and saw the said testator sign his name to the same and he also published and declared that the same was his last will and testament that he was of sound mind and memory fully competent to devise his property and under no restraint or coercion whatever that Mathias Striker and Lucinda Striker each signed their names to the same as subscribing witnesses in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other.
Mathias Striker
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 12the day of Sept 1871
A. J. Hill Clerk

STATE OF INDIANA, ADAMS COUNTY
A. J. Hill Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Adams County, Indiana, certify that the above and forgoing will of William Harris late of Adams County deceased has been duly admitted to probate that its due execution was this day proven by Mathias Striker whose proof together with said Will have been duly recorded on pages 76, 77, & 78 Record B of Wills in this Office.
Witness my hand and seal of said Court this 12th day of September 1871.
A. J. Hill

Also included in Probate Folder is the INVENTORY of the personal Estate of William Harris, totaling $2527.28. We are [ ?] to credit as follows as per receipts herewith [?]; listing names and amounts, totaling $1196.17. plus another page, Final Account Current, Bond and Oath of Administrator, Decatur Eagle, a weekly newspaper printed, Notice was published 4 consecutive weeks, on 29 Sept & 6 & 13 & 20 of October all in the year 1871.
Copy of Notice, Appointment of Executor
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has been appointed Executors of the Estate of William Harris late of Adams county, deceased. B.P. Harris Julia Harris Executors Sep. 29, 1871
EXECUTORS'S SALE
Notice is hereby given, that the undersigned, Executors of the Estate of William Harris, deceased, will offer for sale at Public Auction, at the late residence of the decedent, in Monroe township, Adams county, on
Friday, October 20th, 1871
the personal property of said estate, consisting of horses, cows, hogs, cattle, sheep, farming implements, household and kitchen furniture, and various other articles.
Terms,--Sums of three dollars and under, cash: over three dollars a credit of 12 months will be given, the purchaser giving note with surety to the satisfaction of the undersigned, waiving benefit of valuation and appraisement laws. Sale to begin at 10 o'clock A.M.
B. P. Harris Julia Harris Executors Sept 29, 1871
Also included in Probate Folder were bills from various people who William Harris owed money. Did not copy the scraps of paper. Replaced them in the Probate Folder.
July 1999.

PATENT #14049
Certificate # 27784
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME GREETING;
Whereas, William Harris of Knox County, Ohio, has deposited in the General Land office of the United States a certificate of the REGISTER OF THE LAND OFFICE AT Fort Wayne, whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said William Harris according to the provisions of the act of Congress of the 24th of April 1820 entitled " An act making further provisions for the sale of the Public Lands" for the East Half of the North West quarter of section Twenty two in Township Twenty Six North of Range Fourteen East, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Fort Wayne, Indiana, containing Eighty Acres according to the official Plat of the survey of the said lands returned to the GENERAL LAND OFFICE by the Surveyor General which said tract has been purchased by the said William Harris.
NOW, KNOW YE that the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA in consideration of the promises and in conformity with the several acts of Congress in such case made and provided HAVE GIVEN AND GRANTED, and by these presents DO GIVE AND GRANT unto the said WILLIAM HARRIS, and to his heirs the said TRACT above described. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the same, together with all the rights privileges immunities and appurtenances of whatsoever nature thereunto belonging the said WILLIAM HARRIS, and to his heirs and assigns forever.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I Zachary Taylor, President of the United States of America, have caused these letters to be made patent, and the seal of the GENERAL LAND OFFICE TO BE HEREUNTO AFFIXED.
GIVEN under my hand at the City of Washington the first day of January in the year our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty and of the independence of the United States the seventy fourth.
BY THE PRESIDENT; Z. Taylor
G. L. Office Seal) By Fra___Ewing Jr., Sec'y.
N. Sargent, Recorder of the General Land Office
Recorded Vol. 56 Page 219 E.
[?] ENDORSED May 18' 1915, T.H. Baltzell, Auditor.
RECEIVED FOR RECORD The 18" day of May at 10 A.M. 1915
(signed by) A.F. W? Recorder

Copied at Decatur, Adams county Indiana. July 1999 by Mary Slabaugh