As with other Faulkner's, Harrison "Harry" is elusive. Now, I don't really believe that all of my ancestors should have lived in such a manner that it would be easy to uncover the details of their lives, but in a perfect world .........
Born in 1825, maybe, in Wallkill, Orange County, New York. Eighth or ninth, depending on when he was actually born, child of James and Martha Faulkner. Youngest son. Migrated to Michigan Territory with his family when he was about 8 years old.
From his obituary we learn: "Harrison Faulkner was born in Goshen, Orange co., N.Y., in 1825. He studied medicine for two years, but gave up that profession. Working on a railroad, he was the first fireman on the Michigan central railroad. Then he went to the lead mines at Galena, Ill., and remained there a number of years. In 1855 Mr. Faulkner married Miss. Jennie Whitford, and in 1856 he came to Minnesota, being one of the first settlers of Faribault, as his grandfather had been one of the early settlers in New York, and his father one of the early settlers of Michigan.
Mr. Faulkner for a time followed the trade of carpenter in this city. He was a man of honest, upright character in all his dealings. he was well educated, as were all his brothers and a pleasing gentleman to converse with, having seen much, and observed and thought much about what he had seen. He will be missed not only by his family, but by the early settlers of the city."
Speaking of his father, the obituary reported this: "Col. Faulkner lived for a time in Tennessee, and was owner of a large plantation, and of a good many slaves, but when he removed to Michigan he took only a few slaves with him, whom he freed soon after. They would not leave their old "massa."
Now, let's dissect this.
Harrison was born in Wallkill, Orange Co, New York. On the family farm. The informant states his birth year as 1825. I have no direct evidence for this, however I did find the death certificate for his sister Antoinette, stating her birthday as February 15th 1825. Either Harrison is Antoinette's twin, or he was not born in 1825. He moved to the Michigan Territory with his family in 1833.
As for a "large plantation in Tennessee"? Nonsense. Pure fantasy. The Faulkner's lived in Orange County New York right up to the time they headed west to Michigan. Sadly, Harrison's father did own 4 slaves in 1820, but by 1830 there was only one "free colored person - male" living in the household. By 1840 when the family was in Michigan, there were none.
The first medical college in Michigan opened in 1850 at University of Michigan. I did not find him listed among the students. He could have gone to school in another state.
The Michigan Central Railroad came to Jackson, Michigan in 1842. Some farmers in Jackson and Wayne Counties were involved in the Great Railroad Conspiracy. The timing of the Conspiracy and the account of Harrison leaving the area for the Galena lead mines is curious. While perhaps not directly involved, he may have know the parties involved, and was scared enough to leave the state.
The lead mines of Galena were booming. Gold Fever had taken many to California, but Galena was still highly productive around 1850. The railroad may have played a part in Harrison's decision to head to Illinois, as the railroad continued to move ever westward.
Harrison returned to Grass Lake sometime in the mid 1850's, and on May 1st, 1856 he married Miss Jennie Whitford. (A divorcee with a 6 year old son who sometimes went by "Jane", we would later come to find out!) The couple soon headed to the Minnesota Territory to make a home, away from controversy, perhaps? They are found in the 1860 census residing in Faribault with their first born son, age 1 year, and Jennie's 10 year old son from her first marriage. Harrison did do carpentry work. I have a cabinet made by him that my grandfather always said contained "7 different kinds of wood!" I recently had the good fortune of finding a second cousin, who also has a piece of furniture crafted by Harrison.
Harry and Jennie would have three sons together. Arthur Edward, Lloyd Anson and Louis Nelson. Lloyd Anson became a medical doctor. Louis Nelson took up the craft of stone cutting, which took him from Texas to New York, and he even played a part in the construction of the Minnesota State Capitol.
Jennie and Harrison were divorced on May 29th 1878.
Jennie moved to St Paul and supported herself as a tailoress.
Harrison followed.
Jennie died in 1888.
Harrison moved back to Faribault.
Harrison penned his last will and testament on August 9th, 1905, leaving $100.00 each to sons Arthur and Louis, and the remainder to Lloyd.
Harrison died September 3rd, 1905 and is buried in Maple Lawn Cemetery in Faribault in an unmarked grave.
Harrison Faulkner's Obituary
"The late Harrison Faulkner, whose funeral took place in Faribault Wednesday afternoon, came of a family with some distinguished members. His great grandfather, who was of Scotch lineage, immigrated to what was in his time the colony of New York, early in the eighteenth century. James Faulkner, father of Harrison Faulkner, settled in Michigan 1833, on a tract of land where he spent the remainder of his days, near Grass Lake. He had been a colonel in the war of 1812, and was at one time in command of Staten Island, N.Y. before moving to Michigan.
Col. Faulkner lived for a time in Tennessee(*), and was owner of a large plantation, and of a good many slaves, but when he removed to Michigan he took only a few slaves with him, whom he freed soon after. They would not leave their old "massa."
Harrison Faulkner was born in Goshen, Orange co., N.Y., in 1825. He studied medicine for two years, but gave up that profession. Working on a railroad, he was the first fireman on the Michigan central railroad. Then he went to the lead mines at Galena, Ill., and remained there a number of years. In 1855 Mr. Faulkner married Miss. Jennie Whitford, and in 1856 he came to Minnesota, being one of the first settlers of Faribault, as his grandfather had been one of the early settlers in New York, and his father one of the early settlers of Michigan.
Mr. Faulkner for a time followed the trade of carpenter in this city. He was a man of honest, upright character in all his dealings. he was well educated, as were all his brothers and a pleasing gentleman to converse with, having seen much, and observed and thought much about what he had seen. He will be missed not only by his family, but by the early settlers of the city.
Mr. Faulkner leaves three sons; Arthur E. of St. Paul; Dr. Lloyd A. of Lonsdale, and Louis N. of New York City. Louis Faulkner is a distinguished stone carver, having been an instructor of the Armour Industrial school in Chicago, and employed in work on some of the finest mansions in the east.
Harrison Faulkner was the last of his family - all his brothers and sisters having preceded him to the grave, at advanced ages."
Funeral Notice
"13/sep/1905--the funeral of Harrison Faulkner was held from the cathedral at 2 p. m. Wednesday, Rev. A. R. Hill officiating. The pallbearers were Alex Smith, Cap. Cavanaugh, H. P. Sime, Judge Turner, M. B. Haskell, William Wachlin, and George Dandelet. The interment was made in Maple Lawn. Mr. Faulkner was an early settler in this city but of late years has resident in Lonsdale. No man was held in higher respect by his friends. Mr. Faulkner died at the advanced age of 80."
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