James C. Harrah was born in Daviess county, Missouri, November 29, 1844. He is the son of Robert H. Harrah a native of Greenbrier county, West Virginia. His father came to Missouri in 1840, and died in Holt county in February, 1865. His mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth Nation, and she was a native of East Tennessee. Our subject was reared and educated in his native county and has spent his life thus far here. He began farming on his own account at an early age and continued (except during the war) in that avocation until the winter of 1872 when he commenced dealing in nursery stock which is his present occupation.
Mr. Harrah enlisted in the First Regiment Missouri State Militia, February 23, 1862, and served three years participating in all the engagements of the campaign during that time in Southern Missouri. He was discharged at St. Louis, February 23, 1865.
Mr. Harrah was married at Waverly, Lafayette county, Missouri, March -4, 1867, to Miss Cornelia B. Scott, daughter of M. C. and Margaret Scott. Mrs. Harrah is a native of Saline county. They have five children: Robert M., Virginia L., Emmett O., Georgia A., and Floyd. Mr. H. is a member of the Baptist Church and his excellent lady of the Christian Church; He moved to Jamesport in 1878 and has since resided there, and is highly respected.
