Charles William Harris (1863-1941)

HARRIS, REID, REYNOLDS, MCQUILLEN, DAWSON, WINKLER, ARMSTRONG, BALE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/26/2012 at 19:22:56

From Nevada Evening Journal January 23, 1941

Chas. W. Harris Died Last Night In California

Charles W. Harris, 78, longtime resident of Nevada and Richland township, died at his home in Long Beach, Calif., late Wednesday after a lingering illness according to word reaching here today.

The body accompanied by the younger brother, Clayton F. Harris and wife, leaves Long Beach Friday and is expected to arrive in Nevada Sunday for funeral services to be held Monday afternoon, after which burial will be in the Nevada cemetery.

Mr. Harris, eldest son of the late William C. and Elizabeth Reed Harris, was born in Marengo county in about 1862, but came with his parents to Story county in 1875, the father having purchased a farm in Richland township, where the family home was for many years and where the subject of thsi ketch first established his home.

Later he moved to Nevada and was for a time engaged in the livestock and produce business, and was among the first automobile distributors in the county, with the late J. H. Riddlesbarger.

He served for four terms as a member of the Story county board of supervisors, in which office he was an outstanding success. He served on the board from 1925 up to and including 1930.

A few years ago he disposed of his interests here and with his one daughter went to California to establish his home. He had made frequent trips to Nevada, however, and kept in close contact with people and affairs here.

He leaves besides the daughter, brothers Clifton C., and Clayton E. Harris, and sister, Mrs. Bessie McQuillen and Mrs. Zella Dawson all living in California.

Mr. Harris was of English descent, both of his parents being natives of England. The father served for six years in the English army in South Africa against the Boers and throughout the Crimean war, participating in the celebrated "Charge of the Light Brigade" at Balaklava, a charge immortalized by Tennyson in a poem.

The elder Mr. Harris, at the time of his death on October 5, 1900, was the last surviving member of the group which made the charge.

From Nevada Evening Journal January 28, 1941

Funeral Services Held Here Monday for Charles W. Harris

Funeral rites for the late Charles W. Harris, 78, who died at his home at Long Beach, Cal., Wednesday, Jan. 22, were held at the Nevada Methodist church on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock with Dr. R. M. Shipman, former pastor and close friend of the deceased, in charge, assisted by Rev. Reynolds Murdock, present pastor.

In the church of which the deceased was a longtime active member, was seated a large group of relatives and old neighbors and friends of Mr. Harris, gathered to pay a tribute of respect to one whom they had long known and respected for his many sterling qualities.

The body, accompanied by the daughter, Mrs. Ruby Reynolds and his brother, Clayton E. Harris and wife, had arrived on an early morning Northwestern train and had been at the Lilly Funeral home until time for the services.

While Rev. Murdock offered prayer and read the scripture, the sermon was preached by Dr. Shipman, former pastor of the church and now of Muscatine. Two favorite songs of the deceased, "The Old Rugged Cross" and "In the Sweet Bye and Bye" were sung by H. G. Kruwell.

The pallbearers were Dr. S. W. Arthur, L. R. Bassett, Fred Hayes, Frank Kinsman, Clarence Coggshall and Robert A. Davis, all members of that church.

Mr. Harris, born March 31, 1863 at Ladora, in Tama county, was the eldest son of William C. and Elizabeth Harris. There he lived with his parent until 1875 until the father came over into Story county and purchased a farm in Richland township where the family home was established and where the family of four sons and three daughters was raised.

After growing to manhood Mr. Harris was married and established himself on a farm in Richland township. Later he left the farm and moved to Nevada where he was first engaged in buying and shipping livestock and prduce, with the late J. H. Riddlesbarger. Retiring from that line he entered the automotive sales business which occupied his attention for a few years. In 1924 he was elected to a membership on the Story county board of supervisors, taking a place on the board January 1, 1925 and serving for two terms or until and including 1930.

He remained in Nevada for a few years after retiring from the board and then moved to California, established his home at Long Beach. He made occasional trips back to meet his family and friends, the last one being last autumn. He leaves his one daughter, Mrs. Ruby Reynolds, tow brothers, Clifton C. and Clayton E. Harris, and two sisters, Mrs. Zella Dawson and Mrs. Bessie McQuillen of California, as well as numerous nephews and nieces, among them being Harlan Harris of Des Moines and Lowell Harris of Marshalltown.

Among the relatives who were here from a distance to attend the funeral services were the daughter, Mrs. Reynolds, and the brother Clayton E. Harris and wife of California, Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Harris of Marshalltown and Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Harris of Des Moines.

Preceding him in death, besides the parents and his wife, had been on baby son, a brother Clifton Harris, one sister, Nellie Winkler, and two half-sisters, Mrs. Anna Armstrong and Mrs. Mary Bale.