Obituaries (July 27)

George A. Harris
Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, November 18, 1880

HARRIS:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Saturday evening, nov. 13th, 1880, Mr. George A. Harris, in the 43d year of his age.

During the week just passed much anxiety was felt throughout this community as to the serious illness of George A. Harris, who was suffering from typhoid pneumonia, with which he was attacked early in the week, the result of a neglected cold, and although his recovery was towards the last despaired of, the announcement of his dealt on Saturday evening cast a gloom over all.  He was in the forty-third year of his age.

Deceased was a son of the venerable Dr. Harvey Harris.  His grandfather removed from Connecticut in 1790, and settled upon the spot where the family residence now stands; there Dr. Harris was born eighty-five years ago, and has since resided; there George and his five brothers and sisters were born; there he has passed his boyhood and youth; and there, in the prime of life, in the rigor of manhood, and in the midst of his usefulness, he breathed his last.

At an early age he was apprenticed to H.N. Walter, in whose employ he acquired a knowledge of the jewelry trade, afterwards becoming a partner with his employers, which relation continued until the death of Mr. Walter, when he continued the business in his own name. As a business man he enjoyed the confidence of his fellow men, his dealings were governed by the strictest integrity; his frank and genial manner made every one his friend, and his prospects were promising for a prosperous future.  His loss will be felt, not only by our business community, but in the social circle he will be missed; while in his pleasant home, the bereaved widow and three little children, the aged parents, the brothers and sisters who survive him, have met with a loss which is irreparable, and the event is one which calls forth the sympathies of everyone.

Funeral services were held at the family residence, on Tuesday afternoon, and were attended by a large concourse of sympathizing neighbors and friends. Rev. Dr. Taylor officiated, and his remarks were touchingly appropriate to the occasion.  His remains were accompanied to the grave by his Masonic brethren, with Knight Templar escort, where the last sad rites were performed according to the ritual of the Order. Business places generally were closed during the services, as a mark of respect to the memory of one who has occupied so prominent a place among us, and who has left behind him a name upon which no tarnish rests.  Pease to his ashes!  

Dr. Harvey Harris

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, January 6, 1881

HARRIS:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Sunday morning, January 2d, 1881, Dr. Harvey Harris, in the 86th year of his age.

About one o'clock [Sunday morning] the venerable Dr. Harvey Harris [departed] this life at his residence, corner of Broad and Rexford Street, in this village [Norwich].  Although for a number of years the Doctor has been gradually declining, and for a number of months past has seldom been seen upon the streets, yet up to within a few days of his death there was nothing especially to indicate that he was so near his end.  The untimely death, seven weeks ago, of his son, George A. Harris, who was a member of the same household, upon whom the aged parent leaned as a stay and staff in the decrepitude of tottering old age, and to whom he looked for solace and comfort when the shadows of the evening of life were gathering around, was a terrible blow, and doubtless hastened the final change.

Dr. Harris was a son of Captain John Harris, who was born on Nantucket Island, Mass., in 1753, and who came from Volunton (now Sterling) Conn., to Norwich, in 1789.  Captain Harris was among the early pioneers of this town, and was notably conspicuous in its early history.  He with his family moved here in the month of January.  Two yoke of oxen attached to a long sled hauled their household goods and supplies, followed by his wife and six children in an old style sleigh, drawn by a pair of horses.  Some idea may be formed of the tediousness of the journey performed ninety years ago, when it is stated that two days were occupied in making the distance, less than twenty miles, between Unadilla and Norwich.

It was expected, in accordance with an arrangement with Avery Power, the first white settler of the town, according to all history, and William Smiley, who came with Captain Harris on his prospecting tour--the latter returning for his family--that a cabin would have been in readiness for the new comers on their arrival, but instead, the timber of which it was to be constructed was still standing in the forest.  While the new habitation was being erected, which occupied but a short time, for high walls and frescoed ceilings were not fashionable then, the Harris family, eight in number, with Hascall and William Ransford, took up their abode with Mr. Smiley's family, numbering four or five, the entire household accommodations consisting of a single room.

The "Harris House" near the old willow tree, which up to within a few years stood on the premises now occupied by David Shattuck, on Rexford Street, was considered an improvement, for it had two rooms.  Here tradition has it, an Oneida Indian, named David, was tried about 1791, for the murder of another Indian whom he supposed stabbed his squaw. This was probably the first trial under the cognizance of the whites in Chenango County.  Here the first town meeting was convened, pursuant to an act of the Legislature, about the year 1793, and here various business meetings were held.  Here, August 3d, 1795, in a rudely furnished log cabin, but where sobriety, contentment and happiness dwelt, the subject of this sketch, the fourth child born in Norwich, first saw the light of day, within a few rods of the spot where, with the exception of a year or two, he passed all the days of his life, and where on Sunday morning he closed his eyes forever upon earthly scenes.

With such limited school advantages as the new settlement furnished, in 1814, at the age of nineteen, Dr. Harris commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Henry Mitchell, attended lectures at the New York Medical College in 1816, and was licensed to practice by the State Commissioners a year later.  The Doctor commenced his professional career in New Berlin, but after about a year returned to Norwich.  For many years he had the reputation as a practitioner second to none in a wide section of country, and many families had great confidence in his judgment and skill. Although he made no pretentions to surgery, he performed some delicate operations at an early period.  Never till the infirmities of age compelled him to withdraw from active professional labors did he decline to serve those requiring medical aid. To the poor especially he was lenient and kind. The Doctor joined the Chenango County Medical Society in 1818, was an efficient and honored member, when able to do so made it a point to attend its meetings, and took a deep interest in the profession of his choice.

Previous to Anti-Masonic times, Dr. Harris was a worthy Mason, and took three degrees in the order. After the lodges went down, as most of them did during that exciting period, he never connected himself with the Fraternity again.  While watchful as to local interests, and well informed in regard to public affairs, Dr. Harris was not a lover of office, and held but few official trusts.  he was Supervisor in 1838, and village Trustee in 1854.  He was one of the founders of Norwich Academy, and a member of the first Board of Trustees.

In 1822 he married Philinda, a daughter of Truman Enos, an old resident who settled here in 1806, by whom he had six children--Abbie, Truman, Hannah Augusta, Harvey, Geroge and William. Four of the children, Hannah Augusta (Mrs. Messenger), Abbie (Mrs. Pelton, of New York) Harvey and William, who are living in the West, together with his aged companion, survive.  In 1857, Dr. Harris connected himself with the Congregational Church, of which Rev. Hiram Doane was then pastor, and ever exemplified his faith by his works.

Dr. Harris, at his death, was doubtless the eldest of our native born.  He witnessed marvelous changes.  He lived to see the original purchase of his father, of two hundred and fifty acres and more, extending from Broad Street to the Chenango river, embracing half of our present corporation limits, transformed from a dense forest into finely cultivated fields and gardens, intersected with streets and highways, abounding in places of business, studded with elegant residences, comfortable and tasty dwellings, the abodes of a prosperous, happy and intelligent people.  The Indian wigwam and camp fire, and the cabins of the white man, he beheld receded before the march of improvements and enterprise and the wheels of progress.  Forty years after Dr. Harris was born there was not a steam railroad in the land; now not only the great city but every considerable town and village is penetrated by a set of railways and traversed by the iron horse.  Not only has the ox-cart and slow stage coach been made to give way, as a means of travel and communication to the railroad and telegraph but the patriarch came down to the day that witnessed the more wonderful operations, if possible, of the electric light and the telephone.

Full of years, good works and blessings, respected and beloved, the aged father has gone to his reward. The last link that connects the present generation with primitive days has been broken.  Not one leaf, but many, have bee lost to the unwritten history of our town and village.

Philinda (Enos) Harris

Died June 8, 1890, Norwich, NY

Norwich [Chenango Co.., NY]:  Sunday, at her home in North Broad Street, Mrs. Philinda E. Harris, widow of the late Dr. Harvey Harris, passed from the scenes of earth.  She had reached a good old age, being in her eighty-sixth year.  Mrs. Harris came of pioneer stock and was the daughter of Truman Enos, for many years a prominent resident of this village. She was born in the town of Oxford [Chenango Co.. NY], October 28th, 1804, and in 1806 removed to this place with her parents, who occupied the site of the present Harris homestead, corner of Broad and Rexford Streets.  She was untied in marriage, October 22d, 1822, to Dr. Harvey Harris, who became one of the leading practitioners in town. There were born to them six children:  Mrs. Abby Pelton, Talmadge Truman Harris, Hannah A. Messenger, Harvey R. Harris, George A. Harris and William H. Harris.  Of these only Harvey and William, both of whom reside in Michigan City, Indiana, survive.  In 1835, Mrs. Harris united with the Congregational Church, under the ministrations of Rev. John Sessions.  For over a half century she has lived a consistent Christian life. She was a prominent worker and leader in church matters till laid aside by age.  She will be greatly missed in the home circle.  Her funeral will be attended Wednesday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, Rev. E.B. Olmstead will officiate in the absence of Rev. Mr. Otis, her pastor.