Orris Harris, magistrate of the Third Civil District and farmer of Hardeman County, is a native: of Southampton County, Va., born February 5, 1832, the sixth of a family of ten children, three of whom are now living, born to Hardy and Elizabeth (Peete) Harris, both natives of Southampton County, Va. They were married in Virginia, May 25, 1820, and came to Tennessee in 1842 and settled in Hardeman County. The father was a merchant and planter by occupation, and a Democrat in politics. He was born January 19, 1793, and died in Hardeman County, September 28, 1844. The mother was born April 10, 1802, and after her husband’s death she broke up housekeeping and lived with her children. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church and died in Fayette County, August 2, 1882, while on a visit to her daughter, Mrs. Hardin. Mr. Harris secured by his own efforts a good education and selected farming as his occupation through life. He came with his parents when ten years old to Hardeman County and with the exception of seven years has ever since lived here. In 1869 he purchased the farm where he now lives and owns 365 acres of land well improved. August 30, 1858, Mr. Harris married Miss Lucilla W. Price, born April 10, 1842, a native of Hardeman County, and second cousin to General Sterling Price. To them have been born nine children, four now living. In the spring 1861 he enlisted in Company F, Seventh Tennessee Regiment Cavalry under Gen. Forrest’s command, remaining with him during the war. He participated in the battles of Belmont, Mo., Corinth, Miss., Fort Pillow, Guntown and numerous others. He is a Democrat but before the war was an old time Whig. For the last sixteen years has held his present office, that of magistrate, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mrs. Harris and two daughters are members of the same denomination.
Source: “The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1886.”