Mabel True Plaisted, Ralph Parker Plaisted, and Harris Merrill Plaisted are shown in about 1880 in Augusta. Ralph Plaisted is the youngest of three sons of Harris and his first wife, Sarah, who died in 1875. In 1881, he married Mabel True Hill. They had one daughter.

Harris Plaisted (1828-1898) served as governor of Maine in 1881 and 1882. He had served as a colonel in the 11th Maine Regiment during the Civil War. After the war, he served in the Maine Legislature and was attorney general of the state in 1873-1875. He was appointed to the 44th Congress to fill a vacancy, serving from September 1875 to March 1877.

From 1884-1898, he was editor of the New Age in Augusta.

His son, Frederick W. Plaisted, also was governor, from 1911-1912.