Edward Marion Harriss was born on July 24, 1838, in Perry County, Illinois, to Jordan and Lucinda Harriss. His father was a farmer who owned $3,200 of real estate and $1,100 of personal property by 1860. He grew up and attended school in Perry County, and he married Leah Staton on April 2, 1857. They had at least six children: Mary, born around 1858; Lincoln, born around 1863; Elmer, born around 1868; Frank, born around 1871; Carrie, born around 1873; and Ezra, born around 1879. He worked as a farmer in Perry County, and by 1860, he owned $1,500 of real estate and $700 of personal property.

 

He enlisted in the Union army on August 1, 1862, and he mustered in as a private in Company A of the 81^st Illinois Infantry on August 26. According to his service records, he was 5 feet 11¾ inches tall, with dark hair and brown eyes. The regiment took part in the Vicksburg campaign, and he was promoted to corporal in September 1863. Confederate forces captured him near Lewistown, Mississippi, on June 10, 1864. He was exchanged on April 1, 1865, and he mustered out on June 17, 1865.

 

He settled in Du Quoin, Illinois, after the war, and he earned a living as a dry goods merchant. By 1870, he owned $3,000 of real estate and $3,000 of personal property. He applied for a federal pension in January 1885 and eventually received one. In January 1891, he received an appointment as a local postmaster. His wife died on April 24, 1901, and he died in Du Quoin on January 1, 1915.

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