The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-11-23
The LATE DH. c. r. HARRIS.


ingham County, Va, July 18th, 1912. He re
moved with his father, to Augusta county, in 1925
He medical student at the University o.
| Virginia in 1901, and was distinguished al
he first examination Of that session in the schools
of Surgery, Anatomy, Matera Medica, Chemistry
and Practice of Medicine. lie graduated, with
distinguished honors, at Jefferson College, Phil
adelphia, in 1912.
lie commenced the practice of his profession,
we believe, at Mt Scion, in this county, immedi-
aely aft er his return from Philadelphia, and very
speedily established an extensive business.
| In 1876 he was married to Mrs Eliza A. Gate
wood, daughter of James A. McOue, deceased.
His wife and two children survive him,-Dr. Jno.
VIM, and 4Iiss Margaret Harris.
Dir. Harris was gentleman of very warm
heart. genial and glowing in his feeling, with a
mind finely cultivated and well stored, and IA
cilty and ease of expression rarely equalled. lie
had natural inclination for politics, doubtless III
heritcd from his mother, who was probably one
of the most thoroughly yersed ladies Of her day, in
the current history Of the country. Having had
Democracy insillcd into him in the nursery, o
party s'gtew with his growth and strengthened
with his strength - He was speaker of magnet
ic power, instructive, pathetic AMI amusing
adapting his vein to the humor of his audience,
and carrying them, as though they were part of
himself.
His prominence in the party, caused the Dem
ocracy of Augusta, in 1858, to nominate him for
| t1,a ,Jf1o ~, 4 Il,
cessful result, the majority Of the Wings being
over two thousand in the county. His opponent
was Judge H. W. sheffcy, who is an effective and
powerful stump speaker. The two candidates
came in contact frequently before the people, and
it is no discredit to Judge sheifey TO say that
he met his equal in every encounter. DR. Harris
was elected by small majority, much to the sur
prise and qualification Of his friends, and the cha
grin and disappointment Of the opposing party.
| In his position as a representative Of Augusta
county, he served his constituents faithfully and
satisfactorily. and was an ardent ard active
advocate Of an enlightened internal improve
ment policy. He not a candidate for re cleo
ton, but after the pration Of his term, resumed
the practice of his profession.
II. lAiIlS WAS inc HISC anu DeHloCIdtiC
Senator who represented Augusta previous to
| the war, and his election over such opponent
was high tribute to his intellect mis- personal
popularity and significant testimonial Of the
confidence of his constituents
! In the Democratic State Convention, which as
sembled in Staunton in 1854 his name was pre-
sented by his friends, as candidate for the po-
oFT H. H.
A. Wise. Out Of vote Of 200, he received 52,
900, over six popular competitors. His name was
finally Withdrawn, the delegates from Eastern
Virginia regarding Mr.. Wise, the nominee for
Governor as peculiarly the candidate Of Western
Virginia by reason of his views on the white
basis question in the Constitutional Convention
| of 185O-5l.
In 1858, at Petersburg, his claims were again
advocated before the Democratic Convention for
the same position. After obtaining very latter-
Ing vote. his name was Withdrawn, for the reason
that Hon. John Letcher, of Rockbridge, an
adjoining county to that from which DR.. II. had
but short time previously removed, had received
the nomination for Governor. In both of these
exciting campaigns, DR.. Harris participated ac-
lively, addressing the people not only of the Val
ley, but in various other portions of the State, at
tracing the attention of those who were not ac-
quainted with him, to his power as public speak
er, and the wonderful store of political infor-
nation which he possessed
In 1857, he purchased the far-famel Brandy
Station estate, in Culpeper county, and removed
to that county, where he resided until 1862, when
on the advance of the Northern army he left his
home Shortly after this event, he was assigned
to of the most important positions in the Med
ical Department of the Confederate States that
Of the Gangrene Hospital, at Charlottesville. 1t
was in this service that he exhibited the most en-
inent skill in the treatment of that fearful dis
ease. His success wasthe wonder and the admi-
ration Of the entire profession, and placed him in
the front rank of the students and practitioners Of
the intricate and progressive science of Medicine
and Surgery.
Ii. 1867 or '68, his name was brought before
the Board of Visitors ofthe University of Virginia,
to fill the Chair of Practice of Medicine, made va
cant by the resignation of DIR. Howard. liz failed
by one vote of receiving this distinguished honor.
After the close of the war, DIR. Harris located
- AAA3 vas AiAeo - WA
extensive practice. He was regarded by his
professional brethren here, as one of the
brightest ornaments CT the science. His mind was
progressive and, as was remarked to us by
physician of skill and eminence, he was of
the best informed practitioners, and most insruc-
tive lecturers the profession could boast. In adj
dtion to the duties necessarily involved upon him
by his large practice, he delivered regular lee
lures, on Hygiene, at thet Wesleyan Female Insti-
tute, of this place.
DR.. Harris no ordinary man, His genial
nature, vast fund of information, remarkable con-
versational powers and wealth ofimag gerry render
ed him not only most pleasant and instructive
companion, but one of the most effective puL-
lie speakers of the times. His warm heart
and open palm responded literally to the appeals
of charity. and the large professional service gra
tuitously given to the goor made him, especially
with that class, a general favorite, indeed he
was regarded as benefactor His knowledge
of men was distinguishing characteristic, and
his devotion to friends steadfnst and true.
The health Of DR.. Harris had been precarious
forseveral years previous to his death While the
seeds of the disease,-Senize Gangrene,-which
terminated his life, had evidently been located in
hic fo~ fbo;v