The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-11-02
James G. Harris.

tober 81, 1911, at three o'clock, aged
70 years, 10 months and 20 days.
Death came after lingering illness
of several months duration, the last
three weeks of which was serious,
but he bore patiently the intense suf-
fering which, until few days before
his death. accompanied his illness.
When but a small boy he moved
with his mother from his native state
to Kentucky. In 1851, when but 13
years of age, he came to Iowa and
Decatur county, where he had lived
almost continuously for sixty years,
his home during that time being in
and near Leon. Mr.. Harris served
three years in the Civil War, having
enlisted in 1861 in Co. B, 5th Kansas
Cavalry, from which he was honor
ably discharged late in ga or early
in IS.
In 1860 he was united in marriage
with Caroline Todhunter. To this un-
ion eleven children were born, five of
whom prece ,ded their father to the
better world. There remain five
daughters and one son, besides the
aged wife to mourn his departure.
The remaining children are Mrs. J.
G. Rauch, of British Columbia, Mes
danes w. T. and l.. B. Spencer, of
near Lineville, Iowa, Mrs. E. K. Pit
man, of Northwood, Iowa, Mrs. C. E.
who lives at home. All these were
present at their fathers bedside dur
ing his last illness except Mrs. Rauch.
Following his return from the war
Mr.. Harris was employed as mill
wright and engineer. He was con-
nected with the old Leon Wooden
Mills and the Leon Flour Mill, both
of which had disappeared before the
present generation was born. At
one time he was employed in a saw
mill which stood on the hill northeast
of the present c., B. & @. passenger
station and was also concerned in
the operation of a mill which stood
near the village of Franklin, north Of
Leon. Later he was engaged in
farming but moved to Leon nearly
twenty years ago and has since made
his home here.
In sickness, in trouble, and when
misfortune came to others "Uncle
Jimmy Harris was always ready
with sympathy or material help.
To the little ones he was a delight,
and grevious indeed was the childish
trouble that could not be charmed
away by his magican's touch.
Early in life he became a christian
and was baptized into the faith which
sustained him in his closing years.
Funeral services were held at his
late residence in Leon on Monday, ;
October 23, at two o'clock p. m. con-
ductd by Rev. J. S. Coffin, pastor Of /
the Christian church, of which con-
gregation deceased was a member. |
Rev. H. H. Hubbell, of Corvallis, !
Oregon, a former pastor, assisted in
the services.
Interment was in the Leon GEM
etery, following the ritualistic SER
vices of the Leon G. A. R. post, to
which organization Mr.. Harris had
belonged for many years. !
" The earthly work of "Uncle
Jimmy is ended but his memory will j
ever remain green in the hearts of
those who knew and loved him best. :
The following tribute to Uncle
is taken from the North
wood Anchor:
flames G. Harris, father of Mrs.
E. K. Pitman, wife of The Anchor
editor, died at his home in Leon,
Iowa, last Saturday, aged "a years,
after an illness lasting something
over three weeks. The funeral was
held at his late home Monday after
noon by the pastor of the Disciples
church, of which Mr. Harris was
member
A telegram sent from Leon on Sat-
o. t0
Northwood and the writer had no
knowledge of the death until yester-
day afternoon, when, after three
days of anxious waiting, letter ar
rived bearing the sad tidings. i,
Mr. Harris was native of Ken
lucky but came to Iowa years ago
and was one of the pioneers of Deca-
tur county. He was a kindly, unas-
old gentleman, whose life
was one long story of unselfishness
and sacrifices. He was a member
of the Union army in the great con-
f1ict between the north and the south
and belonged to the Leon G. A. R.
Uncle Jimmy as he was Familiarity
known, enjoyed the friendship and
respect of practically every man,
and child in his town, and
to the little children he was Santa
Claus the year round.
Born in the old Blue Grass state
he inherited the hospitable instincts
which caused every true southern
gentleman to leave his latch string
on the outside, and none were more
generous, none more free to share
their all than he. He had pity for
the unfortunate, charity for the err
ing and consolation for the heavy
hearted. To the writer he was al
ways a good friend as we'll as
father.
Ii s'Uncle Jimmy's'' life on earth is
ended but his memory will ever re-
main green in the hearts of those
who knew him BEST /,
4 Mrs. Pitman, who has been in Leon
for three weeks, expects to return
home in the near future. Owing to
he failure of the telegraph company
J forward or deliver message the
ritter was prevented from attending
funeral. ;