Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1917 — R. B. KARRIS PASSED AWAY [ARTICLE]

R. B. KARRIS PASSED AWAY

Death Claims One of Rensselaer’s Respected Citizens. Rial Benjamin Harris, one of the best known and most highly respected and esteemed citizens of Rensselaer, died at about 10 o’clock Sunday night at his late home on College avenue. Mr. Harris had been afflicted with cancer of the stomach for some time, and this was the cause of his death. While having been thus\ afflicted for many months it was not until recently that Mr. Harris became so serious as to prevent his daily appearance at his office and the transaction of business. No word or hint of' his illness ever came from hiim and it was a shock to his many friends when the announcement w r as made only a few weeks ago that he was confined to his home and his condition was hopeless. Funeral services were held at the late home of the deceased at 2:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Rev. Asa McDaniel of the Christian church officiated, and interment was made in Weston,, cemetery. Rial Benjamin /Harris was the son of William H. and Ruth (Benjamin) Harris, and was born on his father’s farm near Mt. Ayr January 29, 1854. The family left the farm when deceased was quite young and moved to Rensselaer, and he had since been a resident of this city. Mr. Harris was twice married, his first wife being Miss Elizabeth Brown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Headley Brown of Barkley township. To this' union three daughters were born, Mrs. Oren F. Parker, Mrs. Leonard Rhoades and Miss Mildred Harris, all of this city. Mrs. Harris died in 1911, and in 1913 Mr. Harris was again married, to, Mrs. John Bepjamin of Lafayette, who survives him. Mr. Harris was one of the substantial citizens of Rensselaer, ever alert to the best interests of the city and community, and always ready to lend a helping hand to any good movement. He took an active interest in public affairs anil always sought the side of greatest good to all. He was jovial, kind and scrupulously honest, and the community is Jiereft of a good citizen in his death.