Harris, Lee O. 1839-1909.

Lee O. Harris was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 30 January 1839. At the age of thirteen he came with his parents to Fayette County, Indiana, and spent five years there. He then returned to Pennsylvania to finish his schooling. When he returned to Indiana he began teaching at Fountaintown. In 1858 he moved to Greenfield, Indiana and on 14 March 1861 he married America Foster, daughter of John Foster, a pioneer of Hancock County and member of the state legislature. They had two children, Anna and Lizzie, who both became teachers in the Greenfield schools. At the beginning of the Civil War Harris enlisted in the army. He served in the 8th Indiana Infantry, the 5th Indiana Cavalry, and the 148th Indiana Infantry. When the war ended Harris resumed teaching and was eventually elected superintendent of Hancock County public schools. In addition to his teaching he was an editor and poet and wrote articles for various papers and magazines. Harris was among the literati of Indiana. Under the nom-de-plume of Larry O'Hannegan he wrote a number of poems which gained wide publicity. Harris was also a teacher and friend to James Whitcomb Riley. Riley wrote a poem about Harris, "A Summer Sunrise," and together the two wrote a new version of "Father William." Harris was involved in several fraternal organizations and the Grand Army of the Republic. He died in 1909.