From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, page 335.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


SAMUEL B. HARRISON

Samuel B. Harrison, the chief clerk of the McLure House, the leading 
hotel of the upper Ohio valley, was born in Wheeling, Va., now West 
Virginia, August 8, 1856. In his early boyhood, his parents removed 
to Cumberland, Md., and he there received his education.  Mr. 
Harrison is the descendant of an old and influential family.  His 
father, George Harrison, was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1808.  
He was educated at Eaton college, in his native country, and in his 
early life he came to the United States and located at Wheeling.  
Sometime after, he removed to Cumberland, Md., where he died.  The 
mother was born in Morgantown, Va., now West Virginia, the daughter 
of Simeon Woodrow, a prominent man in his day, and an officer in the 
war of 1812.  Samuel B. is the youngest child born to them.  Charles 
J., the second son, is the president of the Somerset county, Penn., 
National bank, and a prominent man in the financial world.  Capt. 
George W., oldest son, is the general traffic agent of the West 
Virginia Central railroad.  During the war of the rebellion he was 
quartermaster on Gen. Kelley's staff.  J. Forsyth practiced  law in 
Cumberland for several years, he then abandoned the practice of law 
and moved west, where he remained for several years.  He is now the 
transfer agent of the West Virginia Central railroad, at Piedmont, W. 
Va. The subject of this biography began the active affairs of life by 
working in the "trace" office, B. & O., in clerk of the court's 
office, Cumberland, Md., and he afterward filled various positions of 
trust, among which may be mentioned his connection with the United 
States revenue office.  In 1876, he was appointed clerk in the Queen 
City hotel, at Cumberland and remained in that capacity for some 
time. Two years later, he accepted a position in the McLure House, 
and has by his thorough knowledge of the hotel business, worked his 
way up to his present responsible position.  He is undoubtedly the 
most popular hotel man in the state.  Mr. Harrison has acquired 
considerable celebrity in the literary world.  He has corresponded 
for the press frequently, having contributed many acceptable 
articles, and is the author of a book, entitled, "Front; or Ten Years 
With the Traveling Man."  This book has had quite an extended sale.  
Its chief merit lies in its originality, he having simply reproduced 
the daily happenings of a large hotel.  It treats of a humorous and 
serous side of commercial life, giving the many little annoyances, as 
well as the joys, incident to a life on the "Road."  He received many 
favorable criticisms from such men as Bill Nye, and many others of 
like fame.  The book was published by the American News company, of 
New York.  Mr. Harrison is a member of the Episcopal church, and is 
also a member of B.P.O.E., lodge No 28, Order of Elks.  In politics 
he is a staunch republication.


(Linda Fluharty)