The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-09-05
DEATH OF DIR. harris.
The President OF virgioia College Passes
Away.

The President of virgioia College Passes
Away.
DsKev. William Anderson Harris, presi-
dent of Virginia College, died a. the
college yesterday morning as
O'Clock. aged 6s years. Re had
been in feeble health since last
February, but 1t was not gen.
orally known tina. his condition was
critical, and his death will come as 6
surprise and shock to large number of
people. The remains were taken to
Staunton last night for intermentin the
Staunton cemetery beside his wife. who
died twelve years ago. The funeral
services will be preached from the.
Methodist Church in Staunton this
morning at IL o'clock. .----..A
DR.. Harris leaves brother, Hon John
T. Berris, and three daughters, Miss
Matte Harris, Mrs. j. S. Boatwright
and Mrs. r. A. Buckner, all of this
city.
DR.. William Anderson Harris was
born in Albemsrle county, Virginia, on
July 81, 1927. He was the youngest SON
of Anne Allen Anderson and Nathan
Harris. He received his education at
private schools and at the Virginia Mil
itary Institute, where he graduated
with distinction. After graduating he
went to Harrisonburg and for while
praoticed law with his brother, Hon.
John T. Harris, but believing that he
was called to the ministry, he gave up
the prsctice of law and became min
lister of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
being ordained about 1857.
Shortly after his ordination no was
called to Sparta, Ga, where he took
charge Of boys' school. From there
he went to La Grange, where he was
! elected president OF one of the leading
colleges in that town. After remaining
there for several years, on account Of
the climate. he resigned his position
there and accepted the presidency of
the Martha Washington College at
Abingdon, Va, where he conducted q
large and successful school for several
years before and until after the war
At the close of the war the presidency
OF the Wesleyan Female Institute at
Stannton, Va, was offered him, and IS
most OF his relatives had moved to
Augusta county he decided to go there.
When he took charge Of the school there
were only about twelve boarding pupils
with debt on the institute.
| While the school was under his con
troll he bought new college buildings
and made thorough success of the in
stitution, having $50 boarding pupils,
with large day patronage, when he
resigned the presidency in 1898 He
was connected with the Wesleyan
Female Institute for about twenty
seven years. His whole life was til Al
of an educator and he mas been one Of
the most successful in the South, hav-
| ing patrons from many States
DR.. Harris moved to Roanoke in the
fall OF 1893, having built and estabishe d
the Virginia College For Young Ladies.
Although no came to Roanoke ct the
time OF the financial crisis, his success
| vas phenomenal, as ne had $50 pupils
the first year, and 100 tue second. He
built the now school more with @ view
Of making home for his daugh sers, as
they had been connected with him SO
long in his life-work, and the schools in
which he had worked heretofore had
been conference schools.
Notwithstanding the fact that h 3 had
been in poor health the school has been
most ably managed by his daughters,
Miss Matte Harris and Mrs. Gertrude
Harris Boatwright, and his son-in-law,
Mr.. j. 5. Boetwright. Although DR..
Harris death has occurred only few
days before the opening OF Virginia Col.
lege, it will make no change in the
management of this successful school as
the faculty will be- the same and the
school will be conducted as heretofore,
his daughters having had so much ex
psrience as they have practically run
the school entirely for the past few
years. They expect large patronage
this season and large number of their
old pupils will again be in attendance.