Lewis Harrison

Quick Facts

Significance:

Minnesota Homesteader

Place of Birth:

Todd County, Kentucky

Date of Birth:

About 1842

Place of Death:

La Crosse, Wisconsin (Tentative, based on Lewis Harrison’s last known residence)

Lewis Harrison was born around 1842 in Todd County, Kentucky. Born into slavery, he enlisted in the Civil War on September 24, 1864, serving as a private in Company A, 13th Heavy Artillery, United States Colored Troops (USCT). He received an honorable discharge on November 18, 1865, in Louisville, Kentucky. After the war, he moved to Minnesota and applied for a homestead in Houston County on July 12, 1869, under the Homestead Act of 1862. His application number was 5913, and the cost of the application receipt fee was $11. He settled on the land in May 1870, breaking and fencing about 12 acres, transforming it into a productive farm.

By the 1870 census in June, Lewis had already created a small community with other African American families on his land. Living with him were his wife Delilah, her children Maggie and Cary, and their child (together) Fanny. Other residents included Absalom Wallace, a 52-year-old laborer from Virginia, J.B. Brown, a 23-year-old laborer, Martha Brown, a 19-year-old from Norway, their son Willis Brown, and Mary and Susan Wallace. This made Lewis’s homestead a significant black community within a predominantly white small town. However, this community was short-lived, and by 1875, only Lewis, his wife Delilah, and their three children remained on the homestead.

Lewis's homestead journey was not without challenges. On September 19, 1876, in his deposition, Lewis stated, "for twenty-five years or thereabouts he has been and was a slave." This background likely contributed to his misunderstanding of some legal requirements. He believed that residing on the adjoining land was sufficient, as he mentioned in his testimony, "I was informed and believed that if I resided on the adjoining forty to said homestead land it was all that would be required of me." Despite these obstacles, Lewis acquired an adjoining 40-acre farm, proving his dedication and hard work. Unable to read and write, Lewis used an "X" mark to sign his name on official documents. His neighbors, W. Romain Franklin and Stephen Jennings, testified to his continuous residence and improvements on the land, confirming he had cultivated about 12 acres and had lived on the property since May 1870.

On April 25, 1877, Lewis obtained his land patent, number 4426, for 40 acres of land, marking the culmination of his hard work and dedication. The land, located in Union Township, Houston County, Minnesota, is described as the Southeast quarter of the Southwest quarter of Section 14, Township 103 North, Range 5 West. The cost of the final receiver's receipt fee was $7.

Lewis Harrison's story is one of resilience and determination. From the hardships of enslavement, his journey to freedom as a Civil War soldier, and the challenges of homesteading, he built a new life for himself and his family in Minnesota.

Patent Details - BLM GLO Records

Contributed by: Mica L. Anders

More about the Contributor: Mica L. Anders has a special interest in early African Americans from Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. She is dedicated to uncovering and preserving the stories of early African American residents, many of which were previously lost to history.

Anders is the owner and founder of Anders Genealogical Services, bringing over 15 years of experience in genealogy and historical research. She specializes in African American and Midwestern U.S. research. With an MFA in visual art, Mica combines her passions for history and art to create unique family history displays. She frequently lectures and collaborates with museums and civic organizations to curate community history exhibits that highlight the contributions of underrepresented communities. Mica is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and has worked with clients and organizations across the United States, Canada, Jamaica, and the United Kingdom.In addition to her client work, Mica enjoys sharing her knowledge through lectures and community projects. She received the first-ever history fellowship from the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery, conducting pioneering research on the lives of early African Americans in Southeast Minnesota. Her dedication and expertise make her a sought-after collaborator for projects that bring forgotten histories to light.