JAMES G. HARRIS

HARRIS, HOWARD, RAUCH, SPENCER, PITMAN, MOORE

Posted By: Nancee Seifert (email)
Date: 12/14/2009 at 16:45:57

Decatur County Journal
Leon, Iowa
Thursday, November 2, 1911

JAMES G. HARRIS was born in Wythe County, Virginia, November 30, 1838, and
died at his home in Leon, Iowa, Saturday afternoon, October 21, 1911 at
three o'clock, aged 73 years, 10 months and 20 days.

Death came after a lingering illness of several months' duration, the last
three weeks of which was serious, but he bore patiently the intense
suffering which, until a few days before his death, accompanied his illness.

When but a small boy he moved with his mother from his native state to
Kentucky. In 1851, when but 13 years of age, he came to Iowa and Decatur
County where he had lived almost continuously for sixty years, his home
during that time being in and near Leon. Mr. Harris served three years in
the Civil War, having enlisted in 1861 in Co. B, 5th Kansas Cavalry, from
which he was honorably discharged late in '64 or early in '65.

In 1860 he was united in marriage with CAROLINE HOWARD. To this union
eleven children were born, five of whom preceded their father to the better
world. There remain five daughters and one son, besides the aged wife to
mourn his departure. The remaining children are Mrs. J.C. RAUCH, of Golden,
British Columbia; Mesdames W.T. And L.B. SPENCER, of near Lineville, Iowa;
Mrs. E.K. PITMAN, of Northwood, Iowa; Mrs. C.E. MOORE, of Corydon; and ED E.
HARRIS, who lives at home. All these were at the father's bedside during
his last illness excepting Mrs. RAUCH.

Following his return from the war, Mr. HARRIS was employed as a millwright
and engineer. He was connected with the old Leon Woolen Mills and the Leon
Flour Mill, both of which had disappeared before the present generation was
born. At one time he was employed in a saw mill which stood on the hill
northeast of the present C.B. & Q. Passenger station and was also concerned
in the operation of a mill which stood near the village of Franklin, north
of Leon. Later he was engaged in farming but moved to Leon nearly twenty
years ago and has since made his home here.

In sickness, in trouble, and when misfortune came to others, "Uncle JIMMY"
HARRIS was always ready with a word of sympathy or material help. To the
little ones he was a delight, and grievous indeed was the childish trouble
that could not be charmed away by his magician's touch. Early in life he
became a Christian and was baptized into the faith which sustained him in
his closing years.

Funeral services were held at his late residence in Leon, on Monday, October
23, at two o'clock p.m., conducted by Rev. J.S. Coffin, Pastor of the
Christian Church of which congregation deceased was a member. Rev. H.H.
Hubbell, of Corvalis, Oregon, a former pastor, assisted in the services.
Interment was in the Leon Cemetery, following the ritualistic services of
the Leon G.A.R. Post, to which organization Mr. HARRIS had belonged for many
years.

The earthly work of "Uncle JIMMY" is ended but his memory will ever remain
green in the hearts of those who knew and loved him best.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JAMES G. HARRIS, father of Mrs. E.K. PITMAN, wife of The Anchor editor, died
at his home in Leon, Iowa, last Saturday, aged 74 years, after an illness
lasting something over three weeks. The funeral was held at his late home
Monday afternoon by the pastor of the Disciples Church, of which Mr. HARRIS
was a member.

A telegram sent from Leon on Saturday afternoon failed to reach Northwood
and the writer had no knowledge of the death until yesterday afternoon, when
after three days of anxious waiting, a letter arrived bearing the sad
tidings.

Mr. HARRIS was a native of Kentucky but came to Iowa years ago and was one
of the pioneers of Decatur County. He was a kindly, unassuming old
gentleman, whose life was one long story of unselfishness and sacrifices.
He was a member of the Union Army in the great conflict, between the north
and south and belonged to the Leon G.A.R. "Uncle JIMMY", as he was
familiarly known, enjoyed the friendship and respect of practically every
man, woman and child in his town, and to the little children he was Santa
Claus the year 'round.

Born in the old Blue Grass State he inherited the hospitable instincts which
caused every true southern gentleman to leave his latch string on the
outside, and none were more generous, none more free to share their all than
he. He had pity for the unfortunate, charity for the erring and consolation
for the heavy-hearted. To the writer he was always a good friend as well as
a father.

"Uncle JIMMY's" life on earth is ended but his memory will ever remain green
in the hearts of those who knew him best.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
December 14, 2009
iggy29@grm.net