W. N. Harris, a prominent hardware merchant and implement dealer of Rose Hill, Kans., is a Butler county pioneer. Mr. Harris was born in Joliet, Ill., April 11, 1865, and is a son of Walter James and Ann E. (Radcliff) Harris. The Harris family came to Kansas in 1877, and first settled at Topeka, where the father worked for two years at his trade, which was that of a blacksmith. In 1879 they came to Butler county and settled near Rose Hill where the father bought eighty acres of land and was successfully engaged in farming for a number of years. He died in August, 1915, and thus closed a useful life of one of the honored pioneers of Butler county. His widow now resides on the home place not far from Rose Hill. The following children of Walter James and Ann E. (Radcliff) Harris, survive: Mrs. Ida Berry, Mecca, Ind.; W. N., whose name introduces this sketch; Mrs. Anna McWilliams, Pleasant township; Laura, resides on the home place with her mother; Mrs. Emma Vickers, Wichita, Kans.; Sarah, resides on the home place with her mother; and Mansfield, Chicago, Ill.

W. N. Harris received a good public school education and when a youth, he learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed for ten years, when he engaged in the hardware, implement and lumber business at Rose Hill. Since engaging in this business Mr. Harris has built up a large trade over an extensive scope of territory in the vicinity of Rose Hill. It can be truthfully said that he is a successful merchant and his business has perceptibly increased each succeeding year. In addition to carrying a full line of hardware and lumber, he aims to sell the most approved and satisfactory makes of agricultural implements, harness windmills, harvesting machinery, wagons and vehicles.

Mr. Harris was united in marriage in January, 1896, to Miss Enola Skinner, a daughter of M. J. Skinner, of Douglass, Kans., and two children have been born to this union: William J., and Enola, both residing at home. Mr. Harris is a supporter of the policies of the Democratic party in National affairs, but in voting for local officers, he permits himself to he governed in his choice of candidates, purely upon the personality of each individual candidate. By his policy of honesty and integrity, in dealing with the public, Mr. Harris has built up a reputation upon which his many customers can and do safely rely.

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