John Harrison Wharton was born in McNairy County, Tennessee on November 12, 1822. John married Catherine Johnston in 1848 after his family moved to Madison County, Arkansas. Sometime in 1879 he moved his family to Leonard, Hunt County, Texas. They had a farm about five miles from Leonard. He died July 19, 1899 and was buried at either Mineral Wells, Parker County, Texas or Springtown, Texas depending on source. This is not verified as of this date.