My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES J. HARRIS, a veteran of the Civil War, whose portrait* we publish on the opposite page, is a prominent farmer and manufacturer of shingles of the town of Willet. He is a native of this county, having been born at Cortland, June 19, 1839. Hs is a son of Edmond and Elizabeth (Kinney) Harris, and a grandson of Ziba Harris, a native of the State of Connecticut, who at the time of his death was living in Cortland County.

Edmond Harris was also a native of Connecticut, but came to this county with his father. His trade was that of a comb-maker and he followed it all of his life. He departed this life in 1882, after a long and useful career. His companion in life was Elizabeth Kinney, a daughter of Eleazer Kinney, who was a drummer in the old state militia. He was a native of Chenango County, and died in the town of Smithville. This union was blessed by the birth of the following children: Delia Ann died at an early age; Elvira married Lewis P. Pember, who is a farmer and carpenter, residing in the town of German; the third child died in infancy; Milton K., who is one of the firm of Harris & Moore, grocers of the town of Cortland; Mary Elizabeth died young; and Charles J., the subject of this sketch.

Charles J. Harris attended the public schools for a time, but obtained most of his education wholly through his own efforts. He began life on his own account as a farmer, in the town of Willet. After a time, he went to Greene, Chenango County, where he clerked in a store for about one year. He then returned to the farm, and took up agricultural pursuits as a means of earning a competence, settling on the farm which has since remained his home. In connection with farming, he is engaged in the manufacture of shingles, and has been very successful. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted as a corporal in Co. K., 157th Reg., N. Y. Vol. Inf., and fought in many fiercely contested battles. He was on detached service at the battle of Chancellorsville, also at Gettysburg. He was at Morris Island, where the detachment of which he was a member was under a continuous fire for many hours. He guarded the prisoners at Fort Pulaski for a time, and then his company was sent into Florida, where they remained a short time, returning thence to Georgetown, S. C., being discharged at Charleston, S. C., at the close of the war.

He was joined in Hymen’s bonds with Miss Mary Tennant, a daughter of Thomas Tennant, and two sons have blessed their union, namely: Curtis L., who married Florence Wilson, is a farmer in the town of Willet; and J. Burt, who lives at home with his parents. In political belief, Mr. Harris is a Republican, and has served his town as justice of the peace, and was appointed post-master at Willet, November 1, 1897. Socially, he is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, Willet Grange, No. 591, of Willet. He is an intelligent and well-informed man, and has a large number of friends in the county.