The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-08
MAJ. HARRIS CAREER
 COMES TO A CLOSE.
Member of Alabama Railroad Commission and Distinguished in States Public Life
 For Forty Years.
For FortY Years.

came before the RalIrcad Commission Where complaints of poor service oI unjust treatment were made he invest igated and he was usually successful h removing friction or cause of fric- ton.
 In the midst of this labor, when he was doing fine work for his people and his state. he was stricken with dis ease. brought on. 1t Is believed. by his travelling ana exertions in the dis- charge of his officiaI duties.
 Major Harris was native of Ala bana, having been born in Hale Coun- ty. July 10, 1884. His father was Page Harris. pioneer settler of Hale. who came from North Carolina. The fam fly was one of the most prominent in Hale County in the ante-belium days John G. Harris was sent to school at the famous Green Springs Academy In Hale County. After completing his course. he went to Lebanon University. in Tennessee where he took course. 1858.
 It is fact worthy of note that he paid his own way through coulIege and that he bega nthe practice of law without a dollar. He first opened an office in Greensboro. where he was suc- cessful. His career at the bar was interrupted bysth war and he volun- tccEeQ hb pFINale Iu a GfeSheDOfO company. But his service in the army was rendered with credit and distinc- tion, An army comrade said of him yesterday:
 "He was splendid soldier. There was none better"
 His superiors recognized his excel lence as a soldier for he was rapidly promoted until when the war closed he had the rank of Major.
 is rlfe rrfa uA y.4a l.. K. year of the war. In 1881 he was mar rted to Miss MaryJ Brown, the daugh- ter of prominent Sumter County fam fly. Her father. John E. Brown, was large planter, living near Sumter will. Major Harris's wedding tour was interrupted that he might join his command at Mobile.
 After the War.
 When the war was over, he returned to Sumter County for the practice of law. opening an office at Livingston To this law office there came the draft on him, in 1874, to run for Congress in the interest of the white people of the district, a call which changed In a large degree the course of his life. For many years Major Harris wal prominent in the Masonic circles oi Alabama He early united with tha order and throughout his life he man | AACbNSu U hSGE AulCTcSk III masonry AHe l all that pertains to it. His fellow Ma. sons were, pleased to honor him witr l several high offices and he was looked upon as one of the leading members | of the order in Alabama. Few Ma. sons of the State had ever visited SC many subordinate lodges as he.
 Major Harris had been Grand Mas | ter of the Grand Lodge of Masons oi Alabama and he had been Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter.
 He was a deep student of Masonry and he had delivered many lectures of topics connected with masonry. His and published together with the ad- dresses he had delivered on education al topics.
 | Major Harris made a profession oi religion in his early years and main | tained his profession consistently to l the day of his death. He became a member of the First Baptist cuhrch of Montgomery on his removal to this city in 1886. A leading man in his | own denomination he was generous In | his feeling toward, all others and re- joiced always in any success to the common cause.
 1 At one time he was president of the 1 International Sunday School conven- ! tion. For many years he was owner and editor of The Alabama Baptist. HS | represented his denomination in many | capacities both local and general, and 1 was known for wisdom in counsel and l loyalty in devotion. He was a highly valued member of associations, con | Missions.
 Tn. his own local church, in Montgom. cry he was faithful member, taking