Alfred E. HARRIS

HARRIS, SMITH, SNOW

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/10/2011 at 22:54:34

Winnebago Exchange

On May 6, 1845, Alfred E. HARRIS, the youngest of a large family of children, was born in the home of Enos and Amanda HARRIS at Beekmantown, New York. He was reared in a home in which every member was of its own volition affliliated with the Methodist church through membership, and which gave to the church two of its boys to be ministers.

At ten years of age Alfred HARRIS enlisted as a soldier of the Lord in the church, and at seventeen, he enlisted as a soldier under the Stars and Stripes and for three years served his county in the army during the Civil War. He was a member of the G. A. R. Post of Winnebago, whose ranks are lamentably thinning rapidly.

On June 20, 1868 he was united in holy wedlock with Mary A. SMITH of Champlain, New York. Their home was blessed with four children, one of whom - Edith - preceded the father in 1893.

For a while Mr. and Mrs. HARRIS lived in LaSalle County, Illinois, removing to Iowa in 1870 where Mr. HARRIS became known as a very successful farmer. Leaving the farm in 1906 they came to Minnesota and became residents of Winnebago, where they have resided ever since. Having lived more than a half century together Mr. and Mrs. Harris decided in the past summer to see the old home in New York state. It was a happy trip for them from August 9th to the last of September, when they again reached Winnebago.

Mr. HARRIS came from a musical family and it was a happy hobby of his to instruct the boys and girls of the countryside in the art of singing in a singing school. Conscious to the last he bade goodbye to loved ones who cared for him during his last illness, at 10:30 A. M., Monday, December 22nd [1924].

He leaves to mourn his going, his aged life companion, two sons, Clarence W., of Mason City, Iowa and Frank A. of Winnebago, one daughter, Mrs. Winefred M. SNOW of Clear Lake, Iowa; one grandchild, and the last of the HARRIS family, a maiden sister - Lauretta HARRIS, of New York, and many friends in this community and else where.

Deceased was a splendid citizen, a kind husband and father and a staunch and true friend. During his long and useful life he always stood for the right.

The funeral service was held Tuesday afternoon at the Methodist church. Rev. E. H. KNEHANS officiating. Quartette sang "Nearer My God to Thee," "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me" and "Lead Kindly Light."

[Burial at Mount Vernon Cemetery at Burchinal.]

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2011