On October 25, 1868, at the age of 21, he married Miss Sarilda Hays in Franklin County. Sarilda was the daughter of Henry Hays, of old Franklin County. Of this union three children were born, two sons and one daughter, Cordelia. The youngest son, Charles, died at the age of 22 in 1896, and John lived out his life on the old homestead. Delia became the wife of Gilbert Parks, and they were living in Oklahoma in 1904.
The 1880 federal census found Henry 33 and Sarilda 30, farming in Lake Creek Township. Henry lived next to 60 year old Thomas Harris, his father, and his 46 year old step-mother. Henry’s children were listed as John 10, Charles 7 and Cordelia 9 months.
The couple’s son, Charles, died in April 1896 at the age of 22 due to pneumonia.
Mr. Harris was elected County Treasurer in 1898 for four years up to the year 1902. While serving as treasurer, he continued living on his farm in Lake Creek Township. The 1900 census captures this fact and his occupation as County Treasurer. It indicated on the census that he owned the farm upon which they lived free of mortgage and that one child remained in the home, 20 year old Cordelia. During this census the couple had reached their early 50’s and were additionally giving lodging to a 15 year old nephew of Henry’s named George Gaddis.
After serving four years as County Treasurer, Harris was elected Sheriff in 1902, serving till 1906. The 1905 souvenir history said, during his administration, “This is his first term as Sheriff, but he has clearly proven that a man can be taken from the plow and fill an important public office with efficiency and credit. During his administration to date he has put 150 men under arrest and in jail, with not an escape or jail delivery to record. He has hung two murderers, Jerry Graves and Calvin Price, in July, 1902, for the murder of Miss Nellie Reicheldeffer.”
While Harris was Sheriff, the county jail was then located in the 100 block of S. Madison Street. Harris chose J. Frank Throgmorton as his deputy. Throgmorton had served as constable since 1896 and previously served as deputy sheriff since 1899 under Sheriff John Gray. A.C. Hentz, Marion attorney, served as his office deputy. During his administration, the Coal Belt Electric line was begun in 1902, along with its inherent problems, such as intenerate thieves and criminals. One thing Harris had going for him in this time frame was that Marion had become dry at the turn of the century under Mayor Youngblood which likely cut down on alcohol related crimes, at least in the county seat.
The 1905 Souvenir History of the county stated, “The earnings of the sheriff’s office for the first year of his term was a little over $6000. Notwithstanding the stern duties he is sometimes called upon to perform, he is a most genial gentleman, a pleasant companion and a sincere Christian. For eighteen years he has been a member of the Christian Church at Lake Creek Township.”
In 1910, when the census was taken, Henry and Sarilda had reached their early 60’s and Henry had returned to his farm he obviously loved, to do just that, farm, in his later years.
Henry S. Harris passed away on January 20, 1912, and was buried in Harris Cemetery in Lake Creek Township. Harris cemetery was also the final resting place for Henry’s father, John Thomas, as well as his uncle John Marshal Harris, whom also died young, and Henry’s own brothers and sisters, Unity, Tennessee, Harris and Arterbury.
His wife, Sarilda Hays, born November 9, 1846 the daughter of Henry Hays of Franklin County, died on March 11, 1929.
Sam’s Notes:
John T. Harris was born in Lake Creek Township, Illinois on December 7, 1870. He was married in 1894 and had one son, Harvey Harris, born in 1896. John died February 27, 1929 in Johnston City. Burial was in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Marion, Illinois.
Charles H. Harris was born May 15, 1873 and died unmarried at the age of 22 in Williamson County on April 3, 1896. He is buried in Harris Cemetery in Lake Creek Township.
Cordelia Harris Parks was born in October 1879, in Lake Creek Township, the last of their children. She was married on May 24, 1901 to Gilbert R. Parks who was born on November 20, 1872 in Crab Orchard, the son of George Washington Parks of the Parks/Corder clan. The couple migrated on to Oklahoma after marriage, and then on to Texas. Gilbert died in San Antonio, Texas on January 14, 1929. Cordelia passed away on May 7, 1954 at San Antonio, Texas.
(Extracted from the 1905 Souvenir History; Federal Census Records; Illinois Death Records; Family records courtesy of Brenda Wood; Compiled by Sam Lattuca on 03/19/2014)