Buckner Harris

Buckner Harris

• Father: Hon. Buckner Harris

• Buckner Harris was born on 10 November 1837 in Holly Springs, Marshall County, Mississippi.
• He married Georgia Caroline Augusta Gillespie, daughter of John Patterson Gillespie and Ann Henley Garrison, on 27 October 1856 in Gonzales County, Texas.
• Buckner Harris and Georgia Caroline Augusta Gillespie appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in San Marcos, Hays County, Texas. Other members of the household included Leila or Delila Harris and Annie Gillespie Harris.
• He was a minister of the gospel, according to the 1860 census.
• He married Mary Crenshaw Woods, daughter of John Woods and Elizabeth Elmira Foley, circa 1872.
• Buckner Harris and Mary Crenshaw Woods appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Luling, Caldwell County, Texas. Other members of the household included James Steele Harris, John Clayton Harris, Elizabeth Octavia Harris, Arthur Buckner Harris M.D. and Frank Collin Harris.
• He was a minister, according to the 1880 census.
• Buckner Harris died on 7 October 1908 at age 70 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, at 1501 Main Avenue.
• The following appeared on 8 October 1908 in the San Antonio Express: Rev. Buckner Harris, one of the most widely known Methodist ministers of Texas, died at his home, 1501 Main Avenue, at 6:30 o'clock yesterday morning as a result of a severe attack of pneumonia, contracted several weeks ago. The funeral will be held from Travis Park Methodist Church this afternoon at 4 o'clock. Rev. Mr. Harris was born in Gallatin, Copiah County, Miss., October 3, 1835, and was at the time of his death just a few days over 72 years of age. With his parents he came to Texas in 46. The Harris family settled first in DeWitt County, but later removed to Gonzalez. Here young Harris grew to manhood. Entered Ministry in 1856. December 9, 1856, Rev. Mr. Harris entered the itinerant ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. After filling several weeks in the Texas Conference, he was transferred to the West Texas Conference. in the fifty-two years of his ministry he participated in many important works of Texas Methodism. He was secretary of the convention which med at Waxahachie for the purpose of locating the Southwestern University, and of that institution he was for many years a grustee and curator. For several years he was a leader in promoting the success of the San Antonio Rescue Home. He served as president of the board of mission of the West Texas Conference since 1846? Almost from its organization he has been a member of the board of trustees of the San Antonio Female College. Co-laborers of Rev. Mr. Harris in church work, who survive him, are J. B.? and J. T. Gillet, W. J. Joyce, B.? G. Horton and William Monk. His wife died two years ago. Of the imediate family, Mrs. John M Moore, of Nashville, Tenn; J. C. Harris of 576 Hayes Street, this city; J. B. Harris of Kansas City, Kan; Dr. A. U. Harris of birmingham, Ala., and F. C. Harris of ??00 Main Avenue, San Antonio, survive him. His sister, Mrs. Julia Matthews, resides in Gonzalez. Three nephews, Dunn? Houston of this city, W. C. Houston of Gonzalez and Rev. a. J. Harris of Gainesville also survive. Concerning his private lefe and his labors for the cause of Methodism, Rve. A. L. Scarborough, pastor of the Methodist Church of Floresville, who has known ev. Mr. Harris for many years, last night paid this tribute: "He has constantly filled the leading pulpits of his church in West Texas for more than half a century. No man who has served at the altars of his church has been better loved. As a faithful minister of the Gospel, few men have lived to a better purpose. While he has constantly occupied the most important positions in his church, he was a man of native modesty, and always preferred his brethren for those places of honor. He superannuated four years ago. His last pastoral charge was the Prospect Hill church of this city. For a number of years prior to his superannuation he was in poor helath, and yet his zeal and devotion to the church was without abatement." Lived long and Useful Life. "Mr. Harris was a man of strong convictions and tender sympathies. As an executive officer in the church, his judgment and efficiency were marked and his brethren loved and honored him. Probably no man in his church was held in higher esteem. His speech, his manners, his social intercourse, his burial of the dead, his tender sympathies to the bereaved, ?seem to? linger in the memorries of the people. He was known and loved all over Texas. In early days he did hard and dangerous frontier work, especially in long and extended travels on districts. The future history of Methodism in Texas will find in the life and career of Buckner Harris materials for a record worthy of emulating. The church of God was safe in his hands, and he is safe in the hands of the God he served so long and so well." The Funeral services at Travis Park Methodist Church this afternoon will be conducted by Rev. E. D. Mouzen? Pallbearers will be: Active, Dr. J. V. Spring, W. W. Lipscomb, Louis Oge, J. R. Flannery, Winchester Kelso and D. S. Combes; honorary, Rev. A. C. Bell, A. J. Weeks, J. W. Albritton, S. B. Bell, A. L. Scarborough and N. B. Harmon. Interment will take place at the Masonic Cemetery.

• Last Edited: 25 Nov 2007