Obituary: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Marshall HARRIS ************************************************************************ Submitted by Kathy Grace, July 2004 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ Daily Northwestern September 6, 1890 Called a Pioneer Death Summons Mr. Harris One of the pioneers of Oshkosh will never more be seen in his accustomed places in this city. Marshall Harris died at 12:30 this morning. A week ago last Sunday he was seized with an attack of his old lung trouble. Three years ago he had the first attack and since then he has been very feeble. He has had several attacks from which he recovered but this was more severe than usual and his constitution was not strong enough to withstand it. Marshall Harris was born in Shelburn, N.H., on September 12, 1826. His mother died when he was only five months old, and while he was quite young his father moved to Westbrook, Maine, and later to Naples, in the same state. He learned the trade of leather currier and worked at it until he came to Wisconsin in 1856. Mr. Harris owned some pine land in this state as he was desirous of working up the timber and knew nothing of the lumber business, he worked in a saw mill until he mastered the work. Then with Mr. Tollman he built a mill on the south side of the river where Conlee's mill now stands. Later he bought out his partner and conducted the business alone until 1880, when he old out to Henry Sherry, who tore down the mill afterward. The deceased was married at Bridgeton, Med., to Abbie S. Danforth. Their only child, their daughter Nellie, died of consumption seven years ago. Mr. Harris has no own brothers or sisters a half brother lives in Sunnydale, Washington, and a half sister in Washburn, Me. Another half brother is his only relative and neither Mr. nor Mrs. Harris had any relations in this state. Marshall Harris was as well known as any resident of the city. He was prominently identified with the lumber trade but he owned considerable other property both in this city and in Janesville. Any public enterprise always found him interested. He owned stock in the Oshkosh Street Railway company and was one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the public library. He was president of the association and one of the most active workers in the movement. The result of the vote on the library was a great disappointment to him. Marshall Harris was a man of marked individuality. His was one of those characters that moves in a course of its own. His likes and dislikes were positive and his actions were entirely independent. His generosity was well known. Many a young man who is doing a successful business today will mourn the death of a benefactor who gave him his start in life. His home life was beautiful. His wife has been heard to say that Marshall was the kindest husband and the most tender father who ever lived. In his habits he was systematic and methodical. He had made arrangements to have his funeral conducted so that Mrs. Harris might be relieved of all the care of the lot in the cemetery. He has often been heard to express the wish that his horse Henry might be chloroformed and shot after his death as he did not consider him a safe horse for others to use. Oshkosh has lost one of its oldest citizens; a man who was identified with the city and with its growth and the work of whose hand can by plainly traced in the development of the city. Daily Northwestern, September 8, 1890 Funeral of Marshall Harris The funeral of Marshall Harris was held from his late home on Washington street at two o'clock this afternoon. The Rev. E.H. Smith conducted the services at the house, and at the grave Colonel Cleveland of the Masons, officiated. The pall bearers were members of the Mason fraternity, of which he was a member. There was a large attendance of friends, and the floral tributes were unusually numerous and handsome.