C. L. HARRIS, M. D., Livingston County, is a native of Scott County, Va., and one of the oldest and most successful medical men of Livingston County. He was born in October, 1821, and is the son of John and Ellen (Strong) Harris, both natives of Virginia. Subject's paternal grandfather, Lewis Harris, came West about the year 1832, and settled in Vincennes, Ind., where he died a short time afterward. Thomas Strong, subject's maternal grandfather, was born in North Carolina, from which State he emigrated in an early day, going to Scott County, Va., where he died in 1855. John Harris was born in Scott County, Va., and died at his home in Spencer County, Ind., about 1852. Subject's mother, Ellen (Strong) Harris, died in the year 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Harris were the parents of three children: C. L. (subject), Joseph, deceased, and Thomas. C. L. Harris remained with his parents until the age of ten years, when he went to live with the family of his grandfather, with whom he remained until his sixteenth year. He received the rudiments of an education in the common schools of the county, which, at that time, were of a very inferior grade, and in his sixteenth year entered Emory and Henry College, which institution he attended two years. Upon leaving school he became a clerk in a mercantile establishment at Estilville, Va., where he remained for five years, and after attaining his majority, he began the study of medicine at the same place under the preceptorship of Dr. Herron. In 1848 he entered the Louisville Medical University, which he attended one year, and later attended the Transylvania University at Lexington, from which institution he graduated in the class of 1851-52. After graduating he returned to Virginia and commenced the practice of his profession at Scott Court House, remaining there but a short time. He afterward moved to Kentucky, locating at Lewisport, Hancock County, where he resided until the year 1855, or 1856, when he came to Carrsville, which has since been his home. Like almost all of our successful Western men, he began life in an humble sphere, and has made his own way by dint of perseverance, integrity and business capacity. He has a large practice in Livingston County and adjoining counties, and at the present time is senior member of the medical firm of Harris & Stewart. The Doctor was married in September, 1853, to Jane, daughter of Jesse and Rebecca Pill, of Livingston County. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Harris, only three of whom are living: Thomas, Fannie and Roxie. The Doctor is an ardent Democrat in politics, but never aspired to official position. His wife is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Carrsville.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 821.