John H. Harrison, Jr. was born in 1809 in Greenville County, S.C. to John H. (1777-1837) and Jemima Jenkins (1774-1855) Harrison.  He married Maria Benson (1821-1863) and they had nine children. Harrison had a plantation in the Fairview/Simpsonville area. He served in the American Civil War as an officer in the Quartermaster Corps, Confederate Army; collected livestock and grain to send to troops. He died January 8, 1879.

A son, John H. Harrison, was born November 15, 1840 and died October 24, 1919 in Simpsonville, S.C. He inherited his father’s plantation. He was known as John H. Harrison, Sr. and is designated as such on his grave marker. 

Another son, Willis Benson Harrison (1846-1907), served in the American Civil War. He graduated from the Medical School at Philadelphia and practiced in the Old Hundred Community in Greenville County. Other sons included James Edward (1848-1909), Samuel E. (1853-1926), William Henry (1855-1933) and Richard (1861-1932).

John H. Harrison Sr. married first Nannie Latimer in 1875 and they had six children before she died May 3, 1892. His son was known as John H. Harrison, Jr. (1878-1943). John H. Harrison, Sr. married second, Mary Lou “Lula” Deale (1858-1949) in 1895 and they had one child, Lena (1897-1969).