Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 73, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 December 1916 — BENJAMIN HARRIS IS DEAD [ARTICLE]

BENJAMIN HARRIS IS DEAD

Aged Resident of Rensselaer Passed Away at 11 A. M. Yesterday. “Uncle” Ben Harris, an aged and well known resident of Rensselaer, died at his home in this city at 11 o’clock yesterday forenoon after a gradual decline of several weeks, although he had been ailing somewhat for the past few years. He had been confined to his home for the past several weeks and Thursday night became much worse about 10 o’clock, when he became semi-conscious, in which condition he remained until the end.

The funeral will be hedd Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the Church of God, of which he had been a member for about half a century, and burial made in Weston cemetery. By request of Mr. Harris, friends are asked not to send flowers.

Mr. Harris was one of the pioneer citizens of Jasper county and also one of its wealthiest. He came to this section at an early day, and became the owner a large amount of land in Jasper and Newton counties and for many years was one of the most prominent cattle growers of this section of the state. His mother, with her children, came from Virginia and settled in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, where Benjamin was born. The family came to Jasper county and located on a farm east of Mt. Ayr, and this farm is now owned by deceased’s brother, Henry O. Harris, now past 86 years of age, who is the only surviving member of the family. “Uncle” Ben’s father died before Benjamin was born, and* the mother and" five children, William F. (father of R. B. Harris of Rensselaer), Henry 0.. John T.. Virginia U. (Halstead) and Benjamin came to what was then Jasper county.

Mr. Harris was 78 years of age April 2 last. He was twice married, his first wife living but two years. Forty-two years ago he was married to Emily Crisler of near Mt. Ayr, who with one daughter, Mrs. C.* E. Prior* surviYPS*'him.