William B. Harris (1838-1896)

HARRIS, BRIDGES

Posted By: Kate Hite (email)
Date: 10/24/2014 at 21:04:58

Co. E. 33rd Iowa Inf.

HARRIS - Died, at his home in Perry, Iowa, at noon, March 26, 1896 after a short illness with lung fever, WILLIAM B. HARRIS, aged 58 years.
He was born in Henry County, Indiana, May 10, 1838, and came with his parents to Iowa in 1846. He enlisted in Co. E, 33d Iowa, and served with his company until the close of the war. Returning home, he settled in Mahaska county, near Indianapolis, and married Hannah M. Bridges, a daughter of Hon. James Bridges, of Oskaloosa, in 1871. Six children were born to them, two dying in infancy; two boys and two girls survive him. His remains were brought to Indianapolis for interment and the funeral was held at 2 P.M. Sunday, March 29, from the Christian Church at that place. The exercises were under the direction of Tom Connor Post, G.A.R., assisted by comrades of Humes Post of What Cheer, with Commander Jones in charge. All but one of the pall bearers were his comrades in arms from his own regiment, one being from the same company; and the guard of honor was made up of comrades that were with him and kenw him well since then. Rev. Haines, of What Cheer, presached a very appropriate sermon from Job 14:14: "If a man die shall he live again." His remains were laide away in the cemetery near by. The short and impressive ritual services of the Grand Army of the Republic were gone through with, and as a fitting close the guard of honor went forward and fired the usual military salute. The funeral was one of the largest held in that vicinity for years. Will was well and favorably known in eastern Mahaska and western Keokuk counties. He was a true and faithful husband, a kind and indulgent father, accomodating neighbor, a good [illegible]. He leaves a wife, two sons and two daughters, and they have the sympathy of all in their sad bereavement. (From The Daily Evening Herald - Oskaloosa - Wednesday, April 1, 1896, vol. 9, No. 180, pg. 2)