OBIT: Charles J. Harrison, Captain, 1932, Somerset, Somerset County, PA File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library. Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer. Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/ ________________________________________________ CHARLES J. HARRISON Oldest Somerset County Banker Garnered By The Grim Reaper Captain Charles J. Harrison, Gallant Soldier, Successful Financier and Apostle of Good Citizenship and Good Cheer, Passes Away at the Age of Ninety-one. Captain Charles J. Harrison, oldest banker of Somerset County, gallant veteran of the Civil War, exemplar of good citizenship and apostle of good cheer, died at his home in Somerset at 6:20 o'clock last Sunday evening, at the age of 91 years. Despite his advanced years, Captain Harrison was able to be about and attended to his duties as President of the Somerset County Trust Company until the beginning of October. He had since been obliged to remain in his home, but did not become bedfast until a week before his death. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. George Harrison, and was born in Wheeling, W.Va. Shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War he was commissioned as captain of Company I, Sixth West Virginia Regiment, Volunteer Infantry. His life was miraculously spared during the engagement at Oldtown, Va., when a bullet struck a watch which he was carrying in his shirt pocket over his heart. The watch deflected the course of the bullet, and although the concussion stunned him for a time, he was not injured. He retained the bullet and the watch among his prized possessions up until the time of his death. Captain Harrison was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army at Cumberland, Md., in November, 1864. A short time later he located in Somerset, where he married Miss Margaret Sanner, a daughter of the late Michael A. Sanner. His father-in-law was engaged in private banking in Somerset for many years, and after his marriage to the banker's daughter, Captain Harrison was admitted to the Sanner bank as a co-partner. He continued in that position until October 1, 1877, when he embarked in a private banking enterprize of his own in Somerset. As the farming and mining interests developed in Somerset County, Captain Harrison realized the need for a larger banking institution and with a number of associates organized the Somerset County National Bank which continued in business for 20 years. Captain Harrison reorganized the Somerset County National Bank in 1910 as the County Trust Company. He was elected President of the institution, which position he held until the end of his long and successful career. The County Trust Company at present is one of the leading financial institutions of the county. In addition to his banking interests, Captain Harrison was active in church, fraternal and social activities in this section. His keen interest in community affairs continued until he was obliged to remain at home because of poor health. He was a veritable apostle of good cheer and radiated happiness wherever he went. He was an expert harmonica player and always carried one of those instruments in his pocket and was ever ready to play a merry tune for the delectation of his friends. Captain Harrison was a public-spirited patriotic citizen and many years ago was elected to the Somerset County Borough Council, serving several terms as a member of that organization. He also served as a member of the Somerset Board of School Directors, and was president of that body. Captain Harrison was a loyal and popular member of the Grand Army of the Republic and a Post Commander of R. P. Cummins Post, of Somerset. He was also a member of the Somerset Masonic Lodge, the Junior Order of American Mechanics and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. For several years he served as a deacon of the Somerset Christian Church. Captain Harrison numbered among his intimate friends the late President William McKinley. A few months before the Presidential campaign in which Major McKinley was the successful candidate, he negotiated a $2,000 loan from Captain Harrison, the note being cancelled a short time after McKinley was elected President. Thrice death entered Captain Harrison's home before he was cut down by the Grim Reaper himself - first when a daughter, Bessie, died in infancy; second, when his son, George J. Harrison, died in his young manhood, and third when Mrs. Harrison passed away in 1919. He is survived by one son, Charles J. Harrison, Jr., Justice of the Peace and well known insurance man and real estate broker of Somerset, and one daughter, Nellie, Mrs. John C. Brydon, of Scranton, Pa. Funeral services for Captain Harrison, held in his spacious home at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, in accordance with his request, were very simple, and conducted by his pastor, Rev. J. E. Messenger of the Christian Church. There were numerous floral tributes from his devoted friends and various organizations with which Captain Harrison was connected. Prayer and the reading of the scriptures by the pastor and the singing of a favorite hymn of the departed, "Abide with Me," by Mrs. H. H. DeLong, constituted the ceremonies in the home, and the body was then committed to the grave in the Somerset Union Cemetery. Funeral Director Charles R. Hauger had charge of the burial arrangements. Hundreds of people from all walks of life and all parts of the county attended the obsequies. Among the mourners from distant points were: Mr. and Mrs. John C. Brydon, Scranton; Mrs. Thomas McCutcheon, Mrs. James McCutcheon, Mrs. Mary Belle Johnson, Mrs. Harriet Hague, Mrs. Edwin Love and Miss Edna Love, Pittsburgh; Mrs. Bruce Griffith, Mrs. Edward Coffin, Mrs. Charles H. Suppes, Jr., Miss Natalie Suppes, Miss Alice Suppes, Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Love, Mrs. Russell Love, and Mrs. Albert Baumer, Johnstown; Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. Lyon, Fairmont, W.Va., and Mrs. Abel Mishler, New York. Meyersdale Republican, November 10, 1932