Chatham-Mcintosh County GaArchives Biographies.....Harris, Raymond Victor 1880 - living in 1913 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 15, 2004, 12:02 am Author: William Harden p. 647-649 RAYMOND VICTOR HARRIS, M. D. The life of the city physician and surgeon in these modern days is one of unceasing activity. Modern methods and the high speed with which civilization pursues its relentless way, make demands upon the time and energy of the physician greater, perhaps, than upon men in any other profession. The extent to which specialization is pushed, the deep study required to keep abreast of the discoveries of the age and the everlasting call of the suffering public, all combine to sap the vitality of the most rugged. But as modern days are strenuous, so the modern man has something of power in his makeup which works best under pressure. Dr. Raymond Victor Harris, one of the distinguished young physicians of Savannah, is a modern instance of a man well equipped to handle the responsibilities of high medical positions. He is the son of one of the state's most noted physicians and comes of a fine, sturdy and capable race. The Harris's to which he belongs are a famous family in American history and it is notable for having kept up its vigor and high standing during all generations to the present. They are a stalwart race, usually not under six feet tall and though sometimes lacking in finished acquired scholarship, their natural intellectual gifts, added to inherited physical strength, have made them always leaders. They have been notably successful in politics and in the professions. They are of Celtic origin, and the branch from which Dr. Harris' family is descended was established in America by Henry Harris, who came from Wales in 1691 and obtained a grant of land at Mannikentown, Virginia. His immediate ancestor, his great grandfather, Nathan Harris, was born in Brunswick county, Virginia. His grandfather, Dr. Raymond Harris, established the family in Georgia. Dr. Harris is a native Georgian, his birth having occurred at Darien, McIntosh county, October 6, 1880. He is the son of Dr. Raymond B. and Ophelia (Dasher) Harris. The mother is still living in Savannah, an admirable lady, secure in the respect of the community. The father died in this city May 15, 1910, but his value as a citizen and his high professional prestige will not soon be forgotten. Dr. Harris, the elder, was born at Palmero, Bryan county, Georgia, May 15, 1838. He studied medicine in the Savannah Medical College, from which institution he graduated in the class of 1859. When a few years later the long gathering Civil war cloud broke in all its fury, he became a surgeon in the Confederate army, his connection being with the Fifty-seventh Georgia Regiment of Infantry, and his service continued throughout the four years of strife. After the war he practiced medicine in Liberty county until 1876, in which year he located at Darien in McIntosh county, where he practiced until 1884, when he removed to Savannah. In October, 1880, he was elected to the Georgia state senate by a very small majority, the fight being a three-cornered one, and Dr. Harris having not one, but two opponents. He was alderman for two terms, from 1889 to 1895, under mayors Schwarz and McDonough; was a member of the board of sanitary commissioners, and fought the yellow fever epidemic of 1876. He was instrumental in building the crematory and also built the quarantine station while alderman, and seven years later sold to the government for $50,000 cash. As alderman, the doctor was chairman of the public health committee. He owned and resided in a beautiful home, "Melrose," on LaRoche avenue, and the family were prominent in the social life of the city. He was a prominent member of the Georgia and the American Medical Associations and he continued actively in the work of his profession in Savannah until 1904, when he retired, his demise occurring some six years later, as recorded above. Dr. Raymond B. Harris was a man of great ability and of striking individuality. He was of that type of man who, without effort, makes friends everywhere. In his size, physical make-up, mental qualities and in everything that goes to make a big, strong, broad-minded man of the widest sympathies, Dr. Harris was gifted by nature. Everywhere he inspired confidence, admiration and affection. During his life he was honored by many positions of trust; he served one year as chief surgeon of the United Confederate Veterans, by election at the annual reunion at New Orleans, and served in this position during the same year that Gen. Clement A. Evans was commander-in-chief. He had two brothers who, also were physicians,—Dr. Stephen Harris and Dr. Columbus Harris, the former dying from yellow fever contracted in the great epidemic in Savannah in 1859 and the latter's death occurring from the same cause in the epidemic of 1876. Dr. Harris, in identifying himself with the profession to which he is an ornament, is but following in the footsteps of his forbears, and although his career has as yet been brief, he gives promise of sharing their distinction. He received his professional training in the University of Maryland, in Baltimore, and graduated with the class of 1903. He subsequently spent one year in the University of Maryland hospital and practiced for over a year in Baltimore. At his father's request he came back to Savannah, in 1907, and began the practice of medicine in this city, having a general practice in medicine and surgery and holding the office of city physician. He is a member of all those organizations having as their object the advancement and unification of the profession, namely: The Chatham County, Georgia State and American Medical Associations, and he is the physician and surgeon for the Savannah base ball club of the South Atlantic League. Dr. Harris was married on the 6th day of January, 1910, the young woman to become his wife being Miss Flora Middlebrooks, a daughter of Thomas E. Middlebrooks, of Oconee county, Georgia. Additional Comments: From: A HISTORY OF SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA BY WILLIAM HARDEN VOLUME I ILLUSTRATED THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO AND NEW YORK 1913 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/chatham/bios/gbs193harris.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 6.6 Kb