E. B. Harris, a substantial farmer living one and one-half miles southeast from Maysville, is a native of Medina County, Ohio, born on September 27, 1840. He is the fourth of seven children born to William H. and Lucy (Brainard) Harris, both natives of Connecticut. The father removed to Ohio when a boy, and was one of the first settlers of Medina County. He removed to Missouri in 1867, and located in De Kalb County, where he resided about eight years. He then returned to Ohio where he now resides. He has been a successful farmer. The mother is still living, and is a pious Christian woman. E. B. was reared on the farm, and acquired a good education in the public schools. In September, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company B, of the Forty-second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Col. James A. Garfield. He served with his regiment throughout the war, participating in the battle of Vicksburg and others. He was mustered out of service at Camp Chase, Ohio, on September 30, 1864. In March, 1865, he re-enlisted in Company D, of the Fifth Regiment of the United States Veteran Volunteers, and was mustered out at New York City on March 31, 1866. He then returned to his home, and a week later immigrated to Jones County, Iowa, where he resided about eight years. He then removed to De Kalb County, where he has since lived, engaged in farming. On April 12, 1866 he wedded Mary McDougall, who was born in Medina County, Ohio, on January 8, 1845. She is the daughter of D. and Rosella (Doan) McDougall, the former of whom was born in Canada in 1818, and removed to Ohio in 1830. He died in December, 1885. The latter was born in Vermont in 1822, and is now a resident of Medina County. To Mr. and Mrs. Harris seven children have been born, as follows: Freddie J., July 17,1867, died July 22,1869; Nina M., June 9, 1869; Arthur G., September 30, 1872; Jesse D., January 2, 1875; Willie E., December 22, 1876; Frankie R., July 11, 1882, died March 27, 1883, and an infant boy, March 16, 1886, died May 23, 1886.
Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), p. 563.