Name Alanson Harris | ||
Occupation sawmill operator, businessman | ||
Alanson Harris (April 1, 1816 – October 3, 1894) was a sawmill operator and later owner of a farm implement manufacturer in Brantford, Ontario that merged with Hart Massey's Massey Manufacturing to form Massey Harris, which later became the farm machinery giant Massey Ferguson.
Harris was born in Ingersoll, Ontario in 1816 to John Harris (native of Mohawk Valley in New York State) and Catherine Jane Dygert. Harris and began his next career as a manufacturer.
After moving to Brantford, Ontario he formed A. Harris, Son and Co Ltd in the 1870s to manufacture farm implements. His son John Harris was instrumental in growing the nascent company. His firm merged with rival Hart Massey's company in 1891. Harris died in 1894 and buried at Greenwood Cemetery. His grandson Lawren Harris and great-grandson Lawren P. Harris were noted artists.