Harris Family Research Notes
Compiled by Valerie J. Tice
| Silas Harris | 26 M | Laborer | 200 | Ind. |
| Saria | 17 F | Mo. | ||
| Silas | 2/12 M | Des. | ||
| John Harris | 22 M | Farmer | 200 | Ind. |
| Nancy | 19 F | Ill. | ||
| Mary Ann | 1/12 F | Des. | ||
| Moses Harris | 52 M | Farmer | 180 | Penn |
| Fanny | 46 F | Virg. | ||
| Lidia | 18 F | Ind. | ||
| William J. | 14 M | Mo. |
[NOTE: Lillian is Max's mother and Lillian is the daughter of Rissey (Orissa)- Frances (Harris) Jones' sister
Yet Another Aged Veteran Passes Away.
Moses Harris, the subject of this sketch, was born July 20th, 1798, in Somerset County Pennsylvania. He was the son of Silas and Annaretta Wright Harris. His Ancestor was among the first of New England. In an early day his father moved into Indiana and settled in Cork County. There Moses became acquainted with Fanny Smith, whom he married Jan. 1st, 1824, and who still survives him, aged 86 years. Both were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on February 23rd, 1833. He, in company with his brother-in-law, Sm. Hawks, gathered with the Saints in Missouri in the summer of 1836, and stopped through the winter of 1836 and '37 at Charlton, Missouri, and in the following spring located on Crooked River, Caldwell County. He suffered with the Saints in the persecution of 1838, and in the inclement months of March, 1839, with a one-hose wagon, in which had be stowed the most necessary household goods, with several children, he set out for Illinois, leaving all the balance of their property a prey to the mobbers.
He finally settled about five miles west of Montrose, Iowa, in a very destitute condition. He was ordained a High Priest under the direction of the Prophet Joseph Smith in Nauvoo.
The season before the exodus of the Saints from Illinois he moved on a farm nearer Montrose which he had retained. About the first of May, 1846, he took up the line of march with the Saints for the West, and arrived at Council bluffs about the time that Colonel Allen called on the Twelve for 500 volunteers to go to California. He gave up his eldest son, Silas, who was the main support of the family in response to the call of the Twelve, to enlist in the battalion. At the Bluffs he located on Little Pidgeon Creek. In October, 1848, his son arrived from California and, with his assistance, the family were prepared to cross the plains in R.N. Allred's company, in 1849. After they had crossed the Loup Fork, his sister, the wife of William Hawk, was killed in a stampede.
He arrived in Salt Lake valley on the 16th of October and settled in Bountiful, ten miles north of Salt Lake City, where he remained until the spring of 1851, when he joined the company of Charles C. Rich and Amaza Lyman to go to San Bernardino to form a settlement. At that place he purchased forty acres of land at #10 per acre, but not having it quite paid for when the settlement was broken up, he got no title for it and so lost it with the improvements he had made. He started on his return to Utah in the fall of 1857 in Jefferson Hunt's company, and settled in Washington, Washington County, Utah, in February, 1858. In the spring of 1859 he moved to Harrisburg, which place was named after him by President Brigham Young, he being the only settler there at that time.
In May 1864 he moved with his son John to Berry Valley (now Long Valley), Kane County, Utah, and located at what is now the town of Glendale, where he remained until driven out by the Indians in June 1867. HE returned to Harrisburg where he remained about three years, and then assisted in building up the town of Leeds, three miles eat of Harrisburg. From this place he moved back to Glendale, Long Valley, and settled near his son Silas, at which place he departed this life March 15th, 1890, after an illness of thirty days, caused by an attack of influenza, which settled in his stomach, causing severe pain. He finally passed peacefully away a few minutes before midnight, aged 91 years, 7 months and 25 days.
He leaves a posterity now living of five children, [55] grandchildren. Father Harris' long and eventful life, after gathering with the Saints in Missouri, was mostly spent in opening up new settlements. He was very unassuming, and was honest and upright in his dealings with his fellow man, always quietly performing all duties required of him. He was very temperate in his habits. He never faltered nor murmured under all the trying scenes he was called to pass through, and was ever ready to bear a strong testimony to the truth of this Latter-day work. It can truly be said of him, "He has fought the good flight, he has kept the faith," and will come forth in the morning of the first resurrection and inherit all the blessings sealed upon his head in the Temple of the Lord, wherein he passed through all the ordinances given in those scared places. WARREN FOOTE.
Funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock in the West Ward Chapel for Charles Franklin Harris, 81, who passed away here, Tuesday March 18th, 1941 at the home of his son Leroy W. Harris. Councilor Milo Baker of the Ward Bishopric was in charge.
A large audience of friends, relatives & neighbors from all parts of southern Utah gathered to pay tribute in honor of the deceased, and stood in silent tribute as the casket was ushered into the room and placed among a bower of beautiful flowers.
The opening number was "O My Father," rendered by a ladies quartett [sic], Mrs. Thelma Barton, Mrs. Katherine Miller, Mrs. Kathleen Farnsworth and Bertha Swindlehurst, accompanied by Mrs. Fay Stevens at the piano.
Patriarch George Paice was the first speaker and read the life history of Brother Harris the text of which follows:
Charles Franklin Harris was born April 23, 1859 in Fillmore, Utah and was the son of Daniel Harris and Lydia Harris Harris.
The first two children Duwayne and Frances were born in San Bernardino, Calif., but the family moved from that city to Fillmore in March 1858 and after living there about three years moved to Desert [sic] where his sister Orissa was born.
When Frank was about four yers [sic] old the family moved to Harrisburg, Washington Co.,and later to Glendale, Dane Co. and sometime afterward returned to Harrisburg.
In October 1866 the family settled in Beaver, the mother was kept busy carding wool, spinning it into yarn and weaving it into cloth.
At the age of 14 Frank was very ill with Typhoid fever but through faith and prayer, good medical skill and careful nursing he was restored to health.
He was naturally of a religious nature and took active part in the L.D.S. Church and held various offices in the Prieshood [sic]. At the age of 16 he was a ward teacher which position he held most of his life since. Not many years afterward he became a counselor to William Ashworth who was president of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association in Beaver.
Later on he served for two years in the Stake Sunday School board with Reinhard Maeser and Bro. William Burt. They visited the wards nearly every Sunday. In March he was chosen counselor for Bishop George Munford in the Beaver Second Ward.
In 1891 the two Beaver Wards were consolidated with George Munford Bishop, Charles F. Harrison and Robert Stoney Jr. counselors. Frank held this position until the fall of that year when he was called on a mission to England. He was set apart by Apostle Heber J. Grant and left Salt Lake City October 8, 1891. Brother Jay Thompson too his black as counselor in the bishopric.
Prior to his mission on September 23, 1891 he married Mary E. Gunn of Adamsville in the Manti Temple. She taught school during his absence. After filling a very successful two year mission he returned home in November 1893.
Early 1894 he was again chosen counselor to Bishop George C. Munford, Orson White was the other counselor. On May 22, 1895 he and his wife were made happy by the arrival of twin sons. When they were blessed they were given the names of Way William and Leroy Wilford. Ray lived only two weeks.
About 1897 Brother Harris and family moved to Frisco where he had employment. He was superintendent of the Sunday School nearly all the time they lived there, five years, and was a ward teacher most of the time also. They were blessed with another son while there, Thomas G. Harris.
In 1902 they moved back to Beaver and enjoyed living in a nice little home they had purchased in the northwest part of town. He engaged in farming against as he had also bought land with money he earned at Frisco.
In February 1904 this wife contracted a bad cold which turned in to pneumonia and she passed from this life February 29th leaving her husband and two little boys, LeRoy and Thomas. This was a great trial but his mother and widowed sisters and their families helped them a great deal in their lonely condition.
Bro. Harris was a true Latter Day Saint and proved his implicit faith in the Gospel in his good works. He was a strict tithe payer and kept up his fast offerings and was a liberal donater [sic] to worthy causes. He found joy in giving money to missionaries who left Beaver. He was a man of high ideals and taught his children correct principles.
He served faithfully as a High Priest for 51 years and was a counselor to Charles D. White, President of the quorum for a number of years and for seven years was second counselor to President Jacob T. Tanner, but owing to failing health he was released from that position in August 1940 when the Presidency of the Quorum was reorganized.
He was a member of the Beaver Stake High Council for a number of years and labored as a Stake missionary in all the wards of the stake except Milford.
Being a man of good judgment he held various civic positions. He was chairman of the District school board for four years and after the consolidation of the schools was President of the county School Board for several years.
He was chairman of the County Commissioners for 10 years and was a city councilman for six years. Having served under 3 different mayors. Was president of the State Bank of Beaver county for three years after serving as a bank director many years.
That last 30 years of his life he was troubled some with asthma which was more severe during 1940. The last few months he had had a slight paralysis of the throat which at last proved serious, but he was fortunate in having good eyesight and good hearing to the last.
And now in looking back over this long and useful life of nearly 82 years, we admire him for his honesty and sincerity in all his undertakings and now that his earthly race is ended we realize what a wonderful mission he has filled in mortality and the great amount of good that has been accomplished by Brother Charles Franklin Harris.
A vocal solo, "Just for Today," was then sang by Reed Moore, accompanied by Doris Whornham.
Stake President S. Taylor Farnsworth was the next speaker and he commented upon the history and remarks of Brother Paice and added that he was honored at being asked to speak and told of the help he had received from the fine example of the life led by the deceased.
Elder Milton Gentry followed and spoke words of encouragement to the sons and grandchildren to keep forever in mind the teachings of their departed loved one.
Brother Baker then thanked all present and all those who assisted in making a successful funeral service.
The ladies quartett [sic] then sang "I know that My Redeemer Lives."
Benediction was offered by C. Dennis White.
Interment was in the Mountain View Cemetery under the direction of the Southern Utah Mortuary. The grave was dedicated by Thomas W. Gunn.
I was born in San Bernardino, California, November 6, 1856. I was the second child of of Daniel and Lydia H. Harris. I was named for my two grandmothers, Frances Harris, and Lovina Harris.
My Mother's maiden name was Harris, but she was not related to my father.
When I was a year and a half old my parents moved from California to Southern Utah. They settled in the town of Washington, Washington County. Mother's health was poor because of the bad water so they moved from there to Parowan, Iron County. My father's people had settled in Fillmore, Millard County, so our family soon moved there. My brother, Charles Franklin, was born in Fillmore, May 24, 1869. Soon after this, our family and that of my grand-parents, moved to the western part of Millard county to near the Sevier River. The place was called Deseret, because of the desert looking valley.
My father was a farmer, also raised horses and cattle.
It was at this place that I remember first seeing Indians. I remember an Indian coming to our house and asking for bread. Mother told him she didn't have any bread. The Indian said, "You lie," and went to the fire place, where Mother had some bread baking in a bake over. He arted to take the lid off, when mother picked up a stick of wood and hit the Indian with it. He quickly drew his gun and pointed it at her. We children were terrified, and all screamed and clung to Mother, but she just stood and looked him in the eye. When he saw she was not afraid, he turned and walked out of the house. He later said that Mother was a brave squaw and that was the reason he didn't shoot. I also remember going for a boat ride on a canal, with my parents and how seasick I got.
Later my father and his brother, Jake, were asked to return to California along with some other men to gather up some horses they left there. While they were doing this, they were arrested for stealing horses. My father and two other men were tried and sentenced to serve two years in prison. Mother was left with four small children to care for. Sister Orissa was born a few months after my father left.
Mother's people wrote and urged her to come to Dixie and they would help her if she would apply for a divorce, which she did. Mother's brother, Silas Harris, came after us and we moved to Harrisburg, Washington County. This was in the fall of 1862. I remember the first night out - the howling of the coyotes frightened me so much I couldn't eat or sleep.
One Day we all had to get out of the wagon and walk up a long steep hill. This was the first time I had ever seen acorns. They grew on scrub oak all along the road. My uncle stopped while we gathered some. We put them in a small tin churn and in the evening when we camped, we would roast the acorns over the camp fire and eat them. Mother told us after we moved to Beaver that the place where we gathered our acorns was North Creek Hill, north of Beaver.
My grandfather Harris and family, along with a few other families had settled on Cottonwood Creek and it was later called Harrisburg. We lived there about two years. When grandfather and his family and his two sons, John and Silas and their families moved to Glendale, Kane County.
We have lived here about a year when the Indians began to make trouble. The people moved their log houses close together and made a fort for protection. Between the houses cedar poles were set close together in an upright position to form a wall. The corrals were on the outside of the fort.
The now fell very deep that winter. I remember seeing uncle John Harris breaking a road with four oxen, hitched to the wagon, going up and down the street.
The animals were afraid of Indians. There was a span of mules which would give the alarm in the night by a peculiar whistle when they smelled Indians. The people lived under a great strain at this time because of the Indians. Still they enjoyed themselves and had good times.
I was baptized there by Bishop John Berry. I remember on Sunday mother and others coming home from church very much excited. A friendly Indian had ridden up to the church building and told Bishop Berry that two of his brothers and the wife of one of them had been killed by the Indians as they were returning home from Salt Lake City. A rancher had found the bodies and sent word by the indian. They had been dead about three days when found. The Indians had taken their horses, bedding and animals away. Their faithful dog had stayed by the bodies and kept wild animals away. The Indians were making trouble in other small towns at the time, so President Brigham Young advised them to move to larger towns for protection.
Everyone began to prepare to move by fixing the wagons, mending harnesses and making boxes to pack clothing and other articles. They boys who were old enough were sent to the range to gather cattle. Some beavers were killed and divided up. Part of this was dried, or jerked, and part of it was cooked. The women were just as busy as the men.
The company traveled together and were led by John D.L. Pearce of Washington County who had been sent to bring them out. One day at noon while we were camped by a deserted ranch house, several Indians rode up to the camp, an done of them was wearing a shirt that had been taken from the body of one of the Berry brothers. Bishop John Berry drew his gun and would have shot the Indian, but the men prevented it. However, he did grab the Indian's arrows and broke them over this knee.
At another time the Indians were going to ambush the wagon train, but this was prevented by our scout, Mr. Pearce, who rode ahead and was awarned of the nearness of the Indians by his horse putting back its ears. This ambush was led by an Indians called Charlie Howd, who had been raised by Simeon Howd of Beaver, an dhe had gone back to live with the Indians.
Out family went back to their old home in Harrisburg. It was here that I attended my first school.
My oldest brother, Duayne, with other boys herded cows in the summer. They had to go bare-footed and the red sand became very hot during the day. We stayed here until 1866 when mother married Samuel D. White, of Beaver. They were married in the Endowment House in Salt Lake. The morning they started for Dixie to move the family to Beaver, they were stopped at Jackson County and told of the raid at Lee's Ranch up South Creek that morning by Indians and advised to return to town, which they did and waited until the next day.
Samuel White built a lumber room for mother on the lot occupied by his other family.
The first school I attended in beaver was taught by Daniel Tyler at his home. When I was in the third reader, Julia P. Murdock (now Julia M. Farnsworth) was my teacher. Tihs school was held in a new brick building, called the Central School Building. This school building was also used as an amusement hall and the first mutual meetings were held there. Lucinda Lee Dalton was my teacher for one year.
The last school I attended was taught by Richard Horn. This was the fifth reader. At that time the schools were graded by the reader - first reader, second reader and so on. I went to work in the Beaver Woolen Mills before I was sixteen and worked here for four years. The factory would shut down about Christmas and open again in the late spring.
I was eleven years old when my sister Amelia White was born and my stepfather died when she was a few months old.
A few years after this we moved to the place where I am now living.
I was married to Wm. Henry Jones, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Simons Jones, from North Wales. We were married in the St. George Temple, March 14, 1877.
The summer before I was married I spent in Leeds, Washington County, with my grandparents. I got a lot of pleasure out of that visit. They were such dear old people.
The summer after we were married, we lived on President John R. Murdock's farm. In the fall we moved to town and lived in two rooms of father Jones' house. My oldest child Della was born here on February 4, 1878.
My next two children were born to us while living in this house, Lydia Lovina and William. The latter died when a year and a half old. Two more children were born to us, Franklin and Ernest. Franklin died when he was six weeks old and Ernest lived but seven months.
My husband died December 18, 1886 and I thought no on had ever had as much trouble as I. My mother and brother Frank brought me home to live with them.