SAMUEL W. HARRISON
SAMUEL W. HARRISON, a farmer and oil producer of Perry township, was born in Oil City, Pa., Feb. 9, 1866, son of William H. and Susan M. (Coe) Harrison.William Harrison was born in Maryland in 1815, and came to Armstrong county at an early day. He was a brickmaker by trade, becoming a pioneer in the manufacture of brick in this locality, doing business at Brady's Bend, Parker City and Bear Creek, this county, and at Bruin, Butler county. In later life he followed farming in Perry township, where he died in 1898, in his eighty-fourth year. His wife, Ann (Erwin), was a daughter of John and Esther (Fletcher) Erwin. William Harrison and wife had children as follows: William H., James M., John C., and Henry H.
William H. Harrison, son of William Harrison, was born in 1844, and learned the brickmaker's trade from his father. In time he embarked in business for himself as a brick manufacturer in Oil City, Pa., in the early sixties. In a short time, however, his interest was awakened in the oil business, and he became a driller and producer in Venango county, Pa., thus continuing until 1878. In that year he located at St. Petersburg, Clarion county, Pa., where he continued in the same line of business until 1891. He then purchased the J. C. Gibson farm of 109 acres in Perry township, this county. He moved to Parker City, but after several years' residence there went to his farm, where he passed away Oct. 26, 1906, aged sixty-two years. His wife died Nov. 22, 1911. John Erwin, father of the paternal grandmother of Samuel W. Harrison, was a pioneer of Butler county, Pa., where his wife was born. He first settled near Petrolia, that county, where he cleared and improved a farm, on which he resided for many years. In later life he sold this property, and bought a smaller one in Perry township, Armstrong county, where he died.
The maternal ancestor of Mr. Harrison in this country was Peter Coe, his great-great-grandfather, who was born in Scotland, Feb. 20, 1753. He came to the United States, and was one of the pioneers of Washington county, Pa. His wife was Mary Allen.
Benjamin Coe, great-grandfather of Mr. Harrison, and son of Peter Coe, was born in Washington county, Pa., June 8, 1783, and was a pioneer in Perry township, Clarion county, Pa., where he engaged in farming. He served as justice of the peace for several years, and was a man of considerable prominence. In later life he moved to Butler county, where he died. His wife was Susan McKibben, and they had eight children, among them being two sons, Thomas and Peter.
Peter Coe, grandfather of Mr. Harrison, was born in Armstrong county, Pa., Dec. 4, 1811. After attaining his majority he engaged in business as a mining and building contractor in Butler county, Pa., thus continuing until 1860, when he embarked in the oil business, in which he remained for many years, dying in 1890, when is his eightieth year. His wife, Christine Levier, was a daughter of Daniel and Rosanna (Say) Levier, pioneers of Butler county, Pennsylvania.
Samuel W. Harrison was reared to manhood in Venango and Clarion counties this State. His education was secured in the common school. From 1888 to 1906 he was in the employ of the Standard Oil Company, in various capacities, in their pipe line department, hold responsible positions and proving his worth in every way. He was with the United Pipe Line until 1902, and from then to 1906 with the National Transportation Line. Since the latter year he has been residing on the old homestead, looking after his farming interests and oil properties. He has twelve producing wells on his own property and one adjoining.
Mr. Harrison is a member of Fox Lodge, No. 825, I. O. O. F., of Foxburg; Central Encampment, No. 206, Foxburg; K. of M., Parker's Landing, and is very much interested in fraternal matters. Politically he is a Republican, but has not had the time or inclination to enter public life. His various experiences in the business world have been a liberal education. His comprehensive knowledge regarding the oil business and its problems fit him for conducting his present enterprises.
Source: Pages 639-640, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed September 2001 by Lynn Beatty for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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