CAROLINE (HOWARD) HARRIS

HOWARD, HARRIS, PITMAN, MOORE, RAUCH, SPENCER

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 4/23/2002 at 21:31:40

Decatur County Journal
Thursday, October 23, l9l9

After only a short illness, death came last Wednesday, at Northwood, Iowa, to MRS. CAROLINE HARRIS, one of the pioneers of Leon and Decatur County, the lady being brought here Friday for burial. The aged lady passed away in the home of her daughter, MRS. E.K. PITMAN, with whom she had lived for two and a half years, and her demise occurred within ten days after her return from a happy visit with another daughter, MRS. CLAUDE E. MOORE, at Creston.

MRS. HARRIS, although nearly 84 years of age, was mentally active and bright to within a few hours of her death. By reason of an injury to one of her hips, received some years ago, she was a confirmed invalid and unable to get about much of late years, but her time was fully occupied in doing kindly thoughtful deeds for others. During the war she spent much of her time in knitting for the soldiers and she was a cheerful contributor to all the war activities. The subject of frequent comment, was her patient, uncomplaining disposition in the face of affliction and the beautiful flowers accompanying the casket testify in a measure to the esteem in which she was held by her new friends at Northwood.

Funeral services were held at the Leon Christian Church last Friday, conducted by Rev. Henry Esch, of Decatur. MRS. CLAUDE E. MOORE, one of the daughters, through an error in a telegram, failed to reach Leon until Saturday and interment was made that day in the Leon Cemetery beside the husband and son of MRS. HARRIS, the funeral party going from the Stewart Undertaking parlors.

The following obituary sketch was read at the funeral:

CAROLINE HARRIS was born November 5, l835, in Indiana, the daughter of ORANGE and LAURA HOWARD, and died at the home of her daughter, MRS. E.K. PITMAN, in Northwood, Iowa, after only a short illness, on October l5, l9l9, aged 83 years, ll months and l0 days.

When still a young girl she came with her parents to Decatur County, Iowa. Later the family moved to Kansas and Missouri, returning to Leon probably in the late fifties. Here she was married in l860 to JAMES G. HARRIS, with whom she lived happily for 5l years, his death occurring October 2l, l9ll.

Of the children born to this union, five daughters are now living; They are: MRS. JOHN RAUCH, of British Columbia; MRS. TIP SPENCER, and MRS. LEE SPENCER, of Morgan Township, Decatur County; MRS. E.K. PITMAN, Northwood, Iowa; MRS. CLAUDE MOORE, Creston, Iowa. Three sons, JAMES, EDWARD and MONT, have preceded her to the better world within recent years. Besides these children, she leaves a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren, and one brother, WILLIAM H. HOWARD, of Des Moines, Iowa.

MRS. HARRIS, all through her long life, was unassuming and modest in her demeanor but kind and pleasant to all with whom she came in contact. She was especially fond of children and a visit with "grandma" was always a delight to the little folks. What treasure she could bring to light from hidden sources in pockets and bureau drawers only the grandchildren can tell.

Death came peacefully to her without struggle or suffering, the end coming in quiet sleep and the watchers at the bedside hardly knowing when the mortal soul passed into the keeping of the Maker.

She was uncomplaining and patient throughout all her troubles, bereavements and physical ailments. Early in life she became a member of the Christian Church of Leon and continued faithful to the end. She treasured her Bible highly and its worn pages testify to her constant reading of the Scripture. Although she had undergone many griefs and bitter sorrow during her lifetime, she held steadfast to her Faith. The following verse was found in her Bible after death:

Sooner or later the load will be

lighter;

Sooner or later the struggle will

cease;

Sooner or later the sky will be

brighter;

Spanned by the beautiful rainbow

of peace.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
April 23, 2002