Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 August 1908 — OBITUARY. [ARTICLE]

OBITUARY.

Margaret Kennedy Harris was born on a farm in Virginia, July 30, 1838. She was the fourth child of a family of eight, but two of whom, Joseph and John Kennedy of Morocco, survive her. Her parents, David and Susan Kennedy, came from Virginia a short time after her birth, and settled on a farm east of Crawfordsville. When she was 13 years old the family ftioved to the Kennedy homestead west of Mount Ayr, which is still owned by the decedents of these sturdy pioneers. Here she grew to womanhood, having all the comforts that were to be had in those early days, and enduring the hardships incident thereto. In December, 1858, she was married to Henry Oliver Harris, and to this union there were born four children, Elbert T„ Joseph C. (deceased), Virginia and Jessie. After her marriage she and her husband went to live on the farm still owned by him just east of Mount Ayr, and there the children were born and grew to man and womanhood. In 1888 the family moved to Rensselaer and lived for a short time in the old Hammond property east of town, but Mr. Harris soon purchased the palatial home at the foot of Washington street, which the family have occupied since. Her fatal sickness dates back about a year, and Mrs. Harris had ben under the care of the best physicians obtainable, but the family had been conscious of the fact for some time that the mother could not be with them but little longer, and the only thing that could be done was to make her last days as comfortable as it was possible to do. This was done. She went to the Baptist Hospital at Chicago and was treated for some time, after which she came home, but later went to Chicago to the Michael Reece Hospital. Here the noise was too much for one whose nerves were so sensitive, and she was taken to the Rest Cure Hospital, where the quiet so much needed was secured, but disease had done its deadly work, and on Saturday, August 15th, at 1:45 p. m„ she died. The remains were brought here Sunday evening and the funeral was held at the home Tuesday at 2 p. m., and was conducted by Rev. J. C. Rhodes, of Vincennes, assisted by Rev. D. J. Huston of Goodland, Baptist ministers, of which church Mrs. Harris had long been a member. She was laid to rest in the beautiful mausoleum recently built on the family lot in Weston ceifietery.