History of Kentucky, five volumes, edited by Judge Charles Kerr,
American Historical Society, New York & Chicago, 1922, Vol. IV, p. 252,
Laurel County

     JOHN LEWIS HARRISON is marking with special efficiency his official
record as clerk of the County Court of Laurel County, and his selection
for this position indicates the appreciative estimate placed upon him in
his native county.  He was born September 10, 1884, on the home farm of
his parents, five miles southeast of London, the judicial center of
Laurel County, and in the rural schools of that locality he acquired his
early education, which was amplified by his attending Berea College one
term and the Sue Bennett Memorial School three terms, ending in 1909. 
He was twenty-one years old when he began teaching in the rural schools
of his native county, and his effective service as a teacher continued
for eight years.  In November 1913, he was elected clerk of the County
Court, and by re-election in 1917, and again in 1921, and he has since
continued his service in this important office, the records of which he
has maintained at high standard.  During his tenure of office Mr.
Harrison has, as a matter of course, maintained his residence at
London.  He is a stalwart advocate of the principles of the republican
party, has been an active worker in its local ranks, and he and his wife
are members of the Baptist Church.  He is affiliated with London Lodge
No. 249, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and London Council No. 181,
Junior Order of United American Mechanics.  He owns his home property on
Fall Street, London, as well as other real estate in his native county. 
Mr. Harrison was a vigorous and loyal supporter of the various local war
activities during the period of American participation in the World war,
and in addition to subscribing as liberally as possible to the Liberty
and Victory Loans, Savings Stamps, Red Cross work, etc., he took active
part in furthering the drives for these patriotic objects in his home
county.
     In 1914, at Pittsburg, Laurel County, was solemnized the marriage
of Mr. Harrison to Miss Vessie Acton, a daughter of  Dr. J. A. and
Elizabeth (Graybeal) Acton, who now reside at East Bernstadt, Doctor
Action being one of the representative physicians and surgeons of Laurel
County.  Mr. and Mrs. Harrison have one child, J. L., Jr., who was born
April 13, 1921.
     Oliver Harrison, grandfather of the subject of this review, was
born in Virginia, where the family was founded in the Colonial period of
American History, and he was a young man when he came to Kentucky and
became a pioneer settler in Laurel County, where he reclaimed a farm
five miles southeast of London, and where he passed the remainder of his
life, as did also his wife, whose maiden name was Bettie Duncan.  Their
son, John O., was born on the old home farm in this county, October 10,
1848, and here he well upheld the honors of the family name both as a
citizen and as a productive farmer.  Shortly after his marriage he
established himself on the farm which was to continue as the stage of
his activities during the remainder of his long and useful life, and
there his death occurred October 1, 1910, his home farm having been a
part of the landed estate here accumulated by his father.  He took local
part in community affairs of a public order, was a republican in
politics, but had no desire for political office of any kind.  His wife,
whose maiden name was Martha Spivy, was born in Laurel County in 1854,
and she survived him by about five years, her death having occurred in
1915 and both having been consistent members of the Baptist Church.  Of
their children the eldest is Elizabeth, wife of Rev. J. R. Baker, a
farmer near McWhorter, Laurel County, and also a clergyman of the
Baptist Church; Henry is a harness maker by trade and resides at London,
the county seat; W.D. resides at Bernstadt, this county, where he is
serving as magistrate; James, who resides at McWhorter, this county, has
been for twenty years a successful teacher in the public schools of this
section of the state; G. W. is a farmer near London; and the subject of
this sketch is the youngest of the children.

Acton Baker Duncan Graybeal Harrison Spivey 
=
VA

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