Fellows, Harrison

The following data is extracted from Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement.

Harrison Fellows, who figured in business circles of Racine as a dealer in coal and wood and who was also identified with shipping interests as part owner of lake vessels, passed away on the 1st of April, 1887. He had scarcely yet reached the prime of life, his birth having occurred in Williamstown, Vermont, July 2, 1840, and he was a son of George D. and Louise (Olds) Fellows. The family is of English lineage although established in Connecticut at an early period in the colonization of the new world, representatives of the name living there before the Revolutionary war. In the fall of 1840 Mr. and Mrs. George D. Fellows left New England and came by team to Wisconsin, settling in Racine, where Mr. Fellows had previously lived for two or three years. He helped to build the first bridge at the foot of Main street, build a dock and operate a sawmill. He also owned some vessels and shipped wood to Chicago, continuing in active connection with the business interests of the city until his death, which occurred February 26, 1857, when he had reached the age of forty-four years, six months and twenty-four days. He was a Whig in his political faith until the dissolution of that party, when he joined the ranks of the newly organized Republican Party, and upon the incorporation of the city of Racine he was elected a member of its first board of aldermen. His widow survived him for only a brief period, passing away April 10, 1859.

Harrison Fellows was educated in Racine and after his school days were over went upon the lakes when nineteen years of age, thus continuing until 1873. In that year he engaged in the wood and coal business in connection with a Mr. Higgie, who some time afterward withdrew from the partnership. In the same year A. W. Cogswell became associated with Mr. Fellows and so continued until the spring of 1884, after which Mr. Fellows carried on the business alone until his death, which occurred on the 1st of April. 1887. In addition to his other business connections he was interested in shipping and. owned a two-thirds interest in the schooner Z. G. Simmons and a half interest in the schooner J. B. Newland, while of the scow Forrest he was sole owner. He was also the owner of the scow Sea Star, which was lost prior to his death and upon which he carried no insurance. Both his commercial and shipping interests proved important and profitable.

On the 1st of August, 1861, Mr. Fellows was married in Racine to Miss Jane M. Higgie, a daughter of Frank and Mary (McQueen) Higgie. She was born in Newbury, Scotland, and came with her parents to -Wisconsin when but five years of age, the family home being established in Kenosha, while three years later they came to Racine. Her father was a sailor and vessel owner connected with navigation interests until his death, September 16, 1859. For seven years he had survived his wife, who passed away September 5, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Fellows were the parents of three children: Viola Jane, who is the wife of James Kent and has two children, 'William Harrison and Jessie Marion; Harrison A., who married Miss Augusta Majenske and has four children, Alice Louise, Edith Irene, Harrison Edward and Gladys: and Plennie Louise, who resides with her mother.

While almost thirty years have come and gone since Mr. Fellows passed away, he is yet remembered by many friends who knew him through business or social relations. He did not seek to figure prominently in any public connection but he had many substantial qualities which were appreciated by those who recognize true worth and the success which he achieved was the merited reward of earnest and well directed labor.

Source: Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement

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