David Howard Harrison, a prominent physician and surgeon of St. Mary’s, and a coroner of the county of Perth, was born in the township of London, Ontario, June 1, 1843. His father, Milner Harrison, a native of Yorkshire, England, came to Canada in his in fancy with his parents, who settled on a farm in the township just mentioned, in 1816, and where he grew to manhood, and in 1841 married Miss Catharine Howard, a daughter of Thomas Howard of the same township. She was the first female child born there, and her mother was the first woman buried in that township.
In 1845, when our subject was two years old, the family removed to St. Mary’s, and here the father was engaged in the dry goods trade for several years, being, in fact, a pioneer in that line of business in this place, continuing in the traffic, with marked success, until 1860. While engaged in mercantile pursuits, he held various offices, such as school trustee, councilman, justice of the peace, &c. Since retiring from trade he has lived at his ease, enjoying, with his wife, his competency, and the good wishes of his large circle of friends.
Dr. Harrison was educated in the arts, at the University of Toronto, and in medicine at McGill College, Montreal, being graduated M.D. in 1864. He commenced practice at St. Mary’s, and is still engaged in the profession. Of late years he has also done more or less in the real estate business, being a successful operator in that line as well as in his profession. He is also an extensive manufacturer and dealer in flax. He has been a county coroner since about 1866; is a member of the Dominion Medical Association, and stands well in the fraternity.
The Doctor has been in the town council a few terms, and has done valuable service as a trustee of the Collegiate Institute, a prosperous and growing institution, which he takes pride in aiding to build up. The excellent public schools of St. Mary’s owe their present high standing to the laudable efforts of a few such public spirited men as Dr. Harrison.
He is a Conservative in politics, but we cannot learn that he is very active in that direction. He is a Chapter Mason; and is President of a Gospel Temperance Society, being a strong advocate of the latter cause, and a well wisher to society in all respects.
In April, 1866, Kate, third daughter of George Stevenson, deceased, in his day a prominent citizen of Sarnia, was joined in wedlock with Dr. Harrison, and they have four children.