Elisha and Margaret Harris started out farming in Bloom Township, Morgan county, Ohio, on land Elisha had purchased from his father-in-law. In the spring of 1854 Elisha Harris led a train of 10 wagons from Ohio to Allamakee county, Iowa. Elisha bought what had been the town of Lybrand and turned the great stone hotel there into a family residence. In his later years, Elisha traveled by train to see his children living in Kansas, Colorado, and California. Elisha died from dropsy.

More details: Upon arriving in Allamakee County in 1854, Elisha Harris bought the Bates place, south of Lybrand, where the family lived for several years in a log cabin. Elisha also bought from John D. Cooper the partly finished large stone house in the town site of Lybrand. Elisha completed the house and by 1856 he had absorbed the entire town of Lybrand. As time went by, shops and stores were used as barns and sheds. The great stone house became the half-way house between Decorah and McGregor. The house served as a residence for the family as well as the post office, a tavern, and an inn. For a while. Elisha Harris served as the post master of Lybrand.

The "Great Hotel" was destroyed by a tornado on September 21, 1881, while the Harris family was in Postville attending a memorial service for President Garfield. A frame house was then built west of the original stone house.

At the time of the 1882 county history, Elisha Harris "by economy, energy, and perserverance had accumulated a handsome property, still owning 640 acres of land, after having given several hundred acres to his children."

According to a family history written by Bernice Laughlin Walter and Esther Laughlin Kenney, Margaret Patterson Harris died from consumption. After her death, Elisha moved into Postville to live with his son James. Elisha Harris was able to travel to Kansas, Colorado, and California to visit his children who "moved west". Elisha Harris died in Postville at age 77 from "dropsy".

From "The Graphic", Postville, Iowa, February 13, 1896.
Died. Elisha Harris, one of the early settlers in Post Township, died at the residence of his son, J.M., in this city, on Monday, February 9th, 1896. Deceased was born in Ohio, December 16, 1819. Came to Iowa, October '54, and settled on what has ever since been the home in Lybrand, this township. About 55 years ago he was married to Margaret Patterson, the result of this union being a family of fourteen children, ten of whom survive to honor the memory of their faithful parents. Mrs. Harris died in August, '82. For several years Father Harris has spent his time in travel, visiting at the homes of his children in Kansas, Colorado and California, and noting the development and upbuilding of the great west with more than ordinary interest. A close observer of men and things, a studious reader, and endowed with a remarkable memory, Mr. Harris was quite entertaining in his conversations. Last summer he returned from a trip west, and after making short stays with the homes of his children in this vicinity, took up his abode with his son James. He was down town four weeks ago and on returning home was taken with a chill which aggravated a liver complaint from which he had suffered some time. His age and lack of vitality were against his recovery, and after a short week of confinement to his room, his spirit left its tenement of mortality and the old man was at rest from earthly wanderings.

Mrs. Taylor, Emporia, Kans; Mrs. Powell, Denver, Colo., and Mrs. Ridenhour, Stockton, Cali., by reason of great distance are denied the privilege of attendng the father's funeral. The other members of the family are: Mrs. J.R. Laughlin, Mrs. John Hammell, Wm, G.W., J.M., and Chas., of this place and Henry S. Harris, of Norton, Kas. The funeral services will occur at the M.E. church at 10 a.m., Rev. Bargelt officiating. The interment will be at Minert cemetery.

Last Will and Testament
Probate Record 1167 Allamakee County, Iowa
I Elisha Harris a resident of Postville Allamakee Co. State of Iowa being of sound and disposing mind
and memory and of full age do make publish and declare this to be my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me.
First. I direct my administrator or executor to pay all of my just and legal debts and my funeral expenses.
Second. I have here for paid to each of my children by way of advancement certain amounts but I have paid to the following named children the following amounts as such advancement than to my other children to wit. Maggie U Powel $500.00 Chas A. Harris $500.00 Mary E. Taylor $200.00 and to Henry L. Harris $500.00 And in the distribution of my estate I direct that such advancements be charged to said children.
Third. I bequeath to Amanda J. Laughlin my piano.
Fourth. I give devise and bequeath all the rest of my estate both real and personal to my children Mary E. Taylor, Wm Harris, Amanda J. Laughlin, Geo W. Harris, Jas M. Harris, Caroline Hammel, Delila A. Redinour, Henry L. Harris, Maggie U. Powell, Charles A. Harris and to Rena M. (Mc)Martin Willard Bollman and Maggie Green the children of my deceased daughter Nancy E Bollman to be divided as follows to each of my children one eleventh (1/11) and to the heirs of my daughter Nancy E Bollman one eleventh (1/11) to be divided among them the amount of the advancement state in paragraph 2 here of is to be considered a part of the share of such child recevied hereunder and where added to the amount received by such child is to equal the amount received hereunder by each child not charged with such advancement.
Fifth I nominate and appoint Ellison Orr the executor of this my last will and testament.
signed Elisha Harris