HON. THOMAS HARRISON, Probate Judge, is a native of Northamptonshire, England, born September 21, 1825. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Musson) Harrison, came with their family to America in 1832, locating in Oneida County, near Utica, N.Y., where he lived about four years and then removed to Libson, Ill., where the subject of this sketch lived until he was about twenty-one years of age. He was educated at Knox College, Galesburg, Ill., and read law in that city, and began practicing there. He assisted in raising a company for an Illinois regiment. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Company A, Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving in that regiment until 1864; also served as First Lieutenant of colored troops for one year. He came to Kansas July 1, 1869, locating near the present town site of Liberty, after abandoning a claim which he had at first taken, located where Independence is now situated. He was a member of one of the first School Boards organized in Montgomery County. He has constantly been engaged in the practice of law since coming to this State, except during the period in which he held offices which precluded his giving attention to his regular practice. In January, 1872, he removed to Independence, and has served as Justice of Peace and United States Commissioner, and is also prominently identified with the educational interests of Independence Township. In November, 1882, he was elected Probate Judge, and in February, 1883, he removed to this city. He is a member of the G.A.R. The Judge was married at Galesburg Ill., December 28, 1854, to M. Eliza Chambers, daughter of Matthew Chambers, one of the earliest settlers of Galesburg. She is a native of Vermont. They have three children - Mary H., now Mrs. Seth Starr of Sedan, Kan.; Thomas J., a student at Knox College, Galesburg, Ill., and Cordelia E.

Note: Source William Cutler's History of the state of Kansas: Montgomery Co., KS part 6

ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report

Name HARRISON, THOMAS Rank SGT
Company A Unit 77 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics
Residence GALESBURG, KNOX CO, IL
Age 36 Height 5' 9 Hair BROWN
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT
Marital Status MARRIED Occupation ATTORNEY
Nativity BARBY, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, ENGLAND

Service Record
Joined When JUL 18, 1862
Joined Where GALESBURG, IL
Joined By Whom M V HOTCHKISS
Period 3 YRS Muster In SEP 2, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom
Muster Out
Muster Out Where
Muster Out By Whom
Remarks DISCHARGED MAY 7, 1864 TO ACCEPT COMMISION IN USCT