William Charles Harris (1830-1900)

HARRIS, BALES, REID

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/5/2011 at 15:43:08

From Story County Watchman October 5, 1900

As we go to press at ten minutes to three word is telephoned us that Mr. W. C. Harris has just died. He is one of the oldest settlers in the county and highly esteemed.

From Story County Watchman October 12, 1900

Last week we noted decease of W. C. Harris, one of the oldest of our citizens just as we were going to press with short comment upon him. he was born in Bristol, England, in 1830 and at an ealy age became a sailor and afterwards went into the British army where he served with distinction through numerous campaigns including the South African and Crimean. He was a member of the Light Brigade at the time of the charge made memorable by Tennyson in his poem on the Balaklava charge from which he was one of the few survivors. Afterwards he settled in Marengo where he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Bales* in 1862. They moved to Story county in 1874 and became residents of Richland township where they have since resided. He saw service in nearly all portions of the world before settling down as noted. That he saw more of he world than any other person in Story county is probably true and he was one who made the most of sight seeing. While he had been ailing for some time yet it was more because of his advanced age and the end came suddenly and with little of the usual suffering just as the mass could desire to leave this world. We conversed with him only the afternoon before and up to noon that day was able to attned the usual duties about the house and after dinner laid down the a short sleep, and the end thus came peacefully and quietly, and was called apoplexy, the hour being between two and three o'clock in the afternoon. The last rites were held at the M. E. church by Rev. Shrader of the Lutheran church assisted by Rev. Dudley and Elliott, on Sunday. His wife survives him with four sons and three daughters and two step daughters.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: "Mrs. Elizabeth Bales" was originally Elizabeth Reid, having married Hewitt Bales in England before immigrating. Mr. Bales died in Marengo, Iowa in 1860.