U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Harrison, William A. (1795-1870) ------------------------------------------------------------------- History of Harrison County, West Virginia, From the Early Days of Northwestern Virginia to the Present. by Henry Haymond Acme Publishing Company, Morgantown, W.Va., 1910 Pages 389-390 William A. Harrison. The subject of this sketch, one of the most prominent members of the Harrison County Bar, was born in Dumfries, Prince William County, Virginia, August 27, 1795, and was the son of Matthew Harrison, a merchant of that place. He received such an education as the schools of that day afforded, and studied law with his brother-in-law, Obed Waite, a prominent lawyer of Winchester. After being admitted to the bar Mr. Harrison first located at Marietta, Ohio, but thinking Parkersburg offered better opportunities removed to that place, but after a short stay there upon the advice of John L. Sehon, he finally settled at Clarksburg and was admitted to practice in the Circuit Court of Harrison County on September 14, 1820. He advanced rapidly in his profession and became famous as a jury lawyer and his services were in great demand in all of the Courts in which he practiced and he was engaged in all cases of importance during his active career. In 1836 he was appointed attorney in the United States Court for the Western District of Virginia and also served for several years as Prosecuting attorney for Harrison County. He never took much interest in political affairs but represented the County in the years 1836, 1837 and 1838 in the Legislature at Richmond. In the stirring and exciting period leading up to the civil war, and the division of the State, he took an active part for the Union, and by his prominence and ability added strength to the cause. He held the position of Circuit Judge in the re-organized government of Virginia and Judge of the Court of Appeals of West Virginia and a member of the Governor's council. Judge Harrison was for many years a consistent and devout member of the Presbyterian church and as to discharging the duties of a Christian, a good citizen, faithful public official and a devoted husband and father, his whole life was above reproach. In person he was large of stature and of a commanding appearance, courteous in his deportment, kind and genial in manners, he always received the respect of those with whom he associated. He died in Clarksburg December 31, 1870. ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Harrison County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/harrison/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------