Santa Clara County
Biographies
JAMES HARLISS
JAMES HARLISS. Since 1853 James Harliss
has been a resident of the state of California, coming here as a pioneer, in
the passing years witnessing and contributing to the prosperity which is the
outgrowth of the efforts made by the first settlers. In Lincolnshire, England,
he was born February 16, 1820, a son of William and Betsey (Leach) Harliss, and in his native locality was reared and received
his education. Until he was thirty years old he was satisfied to remain in his
native country, but attracted to the west by the manifest opportunities
awaiting honest, earnest effort, he crossed the ocean and located in Cook county, Ill. He engaged in farming until 1853, when, with
his wife, whom he had married in June, 1851, he crossed the plains with ox
teams, leaving March 16 and arriving in Tuolumne county,
California, September 16. He entered the mines at Shaws
Flat, where he established and built a home and set out one of the first
orchards in that locality, consisting of a little more than two acres, grapes
and various other fruits being cultivated. During his leisure time he gave his
attention to this property, making considerable money from the sale of peaches
and pears, which he sold for twenty-five cents per pound. For twenty years he
remained in that location and continued in the occupation of a miner, meeting
with a success which justified his perseverance. He then sold out his interests
in that county and removed to San Jose, purchasing in connection with John
Britten twenty-five acres of land, which was devoted to the cultivation of
fruit, principally pears, which they found very remunerative. Later, Mr. Harliss took eight acres and built the residence which he
now occupies on Palm avenue, and during the time of
San Jose’s growth he sold all but the lot upon which his house stands. He has
met with a success which is an adequate return for the efforts he has put forth
in the accomplishment of his life work, and is today enjoying the fruits of his
work. Though advanced in years he is still hale and hearty and retains his
faculties to such an extent as to give him still a great enjoyment of life.
The wife of Mr. Harliss
was formerly Betsey Thompson, also a native of Lincolnshire, England, and the
daughter of Thomas and Ann (Milton) Thompson. Of their union the following
children were born: Elisabeth Helva, Herbert,
James Alva, and an infant son. Elisabeth and James A. are the only
ones who now survive. The former married John Britten and has four children,
namely: Daisy, who became the wife of Thomas Keesling;
Ann, Laura, Carrie and Hannah. James A. is a box-maker by trade and still
makes his home with his parents. Both Mr. Harliss
and his wife are members of the Baptist Church and have always been active in
the promotion of all church movements and helpful in the work.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard 11 November 2015.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages
868-871. The Chapman Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Marie
Hassard.