The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-03-13
The DEMOCRATIC PRES.
SAMUEL ID. HARRIS.


his allment, and when he closed his eyes in
customary repose for the night, there was
nothing to suggest the sleep of impending
death, to the devoted wife who had so long
ministered to his wants and comfort. But
ere the dawn of another morning light the
seal of eternal rest had been gently impress
ed on the eyes of the enfeebled sleeper, the
wheels of life stood still and its fitting dream
was over.
For the past seven years Mr.. Harris had
been incapacitated for professional activity,
and for a number of years preceding his
final retirement in 1888, had gradually de-
clined in health and constitutional vigor.
For several years he suffered from an ag-
gravated form of shaking palsy which very
seriously interfered with his editorial writ
ings.
His funeral was held Sunday at two o'clock
from the house, Rev. Andrew Wilson con-
Quoting the services, which were restricted
to Scriptural readingsfr from Psalms; Romans,
Sth chap, 18th and 10Th verses, and End Cor
inthians, 4th chap, 18th and 18th verses,
and 9th chap, 1st verse, followed by a brief
biography of the deceased, in which his
many sterling social and professional quail
tieswere justly mentioned; prayer conclud-
ing the services.
The remains were placed in the vault at
Maple Grove, where the interment will be
made.
The pail bearers were D. C. Goldman, John
Meharg, W. C. Lacey, H. L. Scarf, Peter
Flath, l.. J. Tibbals.
SAMUEL DENIsoN HARRIS was born in
Ravenna, Ohio, May 18th, 1916, being the
oldest son and second child of the late Gen
eral S. D. and Lucy Kent Harris. The faith
er was prominent pioneer, politician, and
official of this County, coming here about
1913. From him the deceased inherited
qualities that distinguished him in social,
professional, and political attainments.
At the time of his death Mr.. Harris was the
Oldest continuous resident of Ravenna viii
lage and township.
His education was acquired in the district
schools and the Ravenna Academy, the lat
ter taught by the late Judge Carpenter, of
Akron.
For number of years he engaged in teach
ing through the Winter terms of school.
While he had mind of general aptitude,
its analytical and philosophical qualities
were of marked profundity, particularly in
the higher mathematics. He also possessed
fine literary ability, and was linguist of nc
ordinary capacity.
Politically, he believed in the cardinal
doctrines and necessary social provisions
embodied in a National Democracy, and fol-
upwards of fifty years lent his voice, pen and
purse for the advancement of his party and
the supremacy of its principles.
Always patriot first, he did not hesitate
TO identity himself with the movement thai
had for its object the consolidation of loya
citizenship for the suppression of the Rebel
lion, and it was during this period that ht
served two terms as County Treasurer from
1861 to 1865, being elected on the Union tick
et From 1861 to 1866 he was member o.
the County Military Committee. He wai
also Mayor of Ravenna at one time.
A staunch supporter of Stephen A. Doug
las, he was sent to the memorable Charleston
convention as Douglas delegate, in 1860
Previous to this, in 1852, he was member
of the Electoral College that elected Frank
lin Pierce President of the United States.
About 1885 he commenced learning thu
printers trade in the Office of the Western
Courier, and in 1887 was employed as com
positor in the rooms of the Buckeye Demo
crat. After the last issue of this paper il
1887, and early in 1888, he was assistant in thu
County Clerks Office, holding the position
,,~eii 1874. ii, ,,n Doc
-su PATTERSON, he published the first mum
ber of the Portage Sentinel, Democratic
weekly, of which Mr.. Harris became soil
proprietor in 1851. In 1856 he sold the Sen
tinel to Alphonso Hart and Mr.. Craig, o
New Lisbon, and read law with n. L. Jeffries
of the Portage County Bar, being admitted
to practice in 1857. He was afterward asso
ciated with the late Judge Luther Day, ant
H.C. Ranney, now of the Cleveland Bar.
In 1868 he commenced the publication o
THE DEMOCRATIC PRESS, the first numbe
of which appeared September 3. He retired
from the editorial chair in 1883, since which
time the paper has been issued under th
firm name of S. D. Harris, Son d Co.
April 2Sth, 1874, he was married to Mis-
Joannah Doty, who with the three children
born to them, survive him-Lucy NJ, nov
Mrs. A. T. Smith, George D., and Miss Kath
crime Harris, all residents of Ravenna.
In reviewing the record of this long ant
busy life, it is the virtues of the pioneer, tn
worth of the honorable citizen, the characte
of the upright civilian and member OF socle
ty. and the qualities of social, moral ant
professional sincerity, that underlie the es
innate and Justify the laudatory tribute II
these must be added superior mental endoW
ments and mind of potent ability, embel
lished with the requirements OF study ant
educational culture, and broad conception
of life and its affairs. Neither should hi
kindly sympathies be unrecorded, for non
responded more readily than he to the voic
of distress or privation. Reared amid tn
experiences of a hard working, self-denyin:
generation, when the fortunes OF men Wer
in the main hewn out by themselves iron
the wilderness, he was early familiarize'
with the stern but useful lessons of self-reli
ance, which followed him ever afterward
As citizen, he was public spirited, and al
earnest advocate of whatever measures ap
peared to him just and proper, heartily sec
onding all efforts for public betterment, sc
cial, moral, material, or educational.
Socially, he had no superior. He had a
wv va
easy conversational powers, exemplifed il
the beauties of graceful expressiveness AM
the furnishings of a choice vocabulary.
Concerning his personal qualities and hi
relations with his fellOw-men, 1t is unneces
sary to speak at length in this, his Lifelong
home. The most enduring tribute is tn
unspoken eulogy in the minds and hearts
those whose privilege it was to know him.
To HIM hypocricy was inconceivable, ant
sincerity indispensable, and he Stunned tn
one as he practiced the other. He was
man of fast friendships and democratic cor
diaIity to every worthy person. He neve
gauged men by their purses. A high homo
adorned a character of unswerving rectitud
and conscientious regard for the rights ant
well-being of others.
Professionally, Mr.. Harris ranked will
the best thinkers and writers of his day
His natural apprehension of principle
enabled him to grasp in prospective prob
lem or science with keen ken of their prop
nd ho in