John Harris of Westminster, was born in Cornwall, England, in May, 1832, and came to the United Sates in 1852. After spending three and a half years in Pennsylvania and Virginia, and one year in Missouri, he came in 1859 to San Franciso, and was in the mines for several years. Afterward he served as Superintendent of the Pine Tree mines for John C. Fremont. In 1874, his health failing, he came to Westminster and purchased 160 acres of land. For several years, in company with his son, Richard T., now the sheriff of Orange County,-he was in the general merchandise business at Westminster; for some time past he has been retired on account of delicate health. He owns a stock-farm, and gives his attention principally to raising horses. For many years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is recognized as a true Christian gentleman by all who know him.
The names of his children are: John, deceased; John E., Arthur, Richard T., George W., deceased; Clara, wife of Jerome Fulsome, of Garden Grove; Eliza A., Frederick, at Westminster; Ernest A., deceased; Albert E., Lora and Joseph.