Information was taken from this site.
Obituary of Charles Franklin Harris
Unknown Newspaper probably The Beaver Press
Community Honors Citizen with last Rites
Funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock in the West Ward Chapel
for Charles Franklin Harris, 81, who passed away here, Tuesday March 18th, 1941 at the home of
his son Leroy W. Harris. Councilor Milo Baker of the Ward Bishopric was in charge.
A large audience of friends, relatives & neighbors from all parts of southern Utah
gathered to
pay tribute in honor of the deceased, and stood in silent tribute as the casket was ushered into the
room and placed among a bower of beautiful flowers.
The opening number was "O My Father," rendered by a ladies quartett [sic], Mrs. Thelma
Barton, Mrs. Katherine Miller, Mrs. Kathleen Farnsworth and Bertha Swindlehurst, accompanied
by Mrs. Fay Stevens at the piano.
Invocation - George A. Parkinson
Patriarch George Paice was the first speaker and read the life history of Brother Harris the
text of which follows:
Life History
Charles Franklin Harris was born April 23, 1859 in Fillmore, Utah and was the son of Daniel
Harris and Lydia Harris Harris.
The first two children Duwayne and Frances were born in San Bernardino, Calif., but the
family moved from that city to Fillmore in March 1858 and after living there about three years
moved to Desert [sic] where his sister Orissa was born.
When Frank was about four yers [sic] old the family moved to Harrisburg, Washington
Co.,and later to Glendale, Dane Co. and sometime afterward returned to Harrisburg.
In October 1866 the family settled in Beaver, the mother was kept busy carding wool,
spinning it into yarn and weaving it into cloth.
At the age of 14 Frank was very ill with Typhoid fever but through faith and prayer, good
medical skill and careful nursing he was restored to health.
He was naturally of a religious nature and took active part in the L.D.S. Church and held
various offices in the Prieshood [sic]. At the age of 16 he was a ward teacher which position he
held most of his life since. Not many years afterward he became a counselor to William Ashworth
who was president of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association in Beaver.
Later on he served for two years in the Stake Sunday School board with Reinhard Maeser
and Bro. William Burt. They visited the wards nearly every Sunday. In March he was chosen
counselor for Bishop George Munford in the Beaver Second Ward.
In 1891 the two Beaver Wards were consolidated with George Munford Bishop, Charles F.
Harrison and Robert Stoney Jr. counselors. Frank held this position until the fall of that year
when he was called on a mission to England. He was set apart by Apostle Heber J. Grant and left
Salt Lake City October 8, 1891. Brother Jay Thompson too his black as counselor in the
bishopric.
Prior to his mission on September 23, 1891 he married Mary E. Gunn of Adamsville in the
Manti Temple. She taught school during his absence. After filling a very successful two year
mission he returned home in November 1893.
Early 1894 he was again chosen counselor to Bishop George C. Munford, Orson White was
the other counselor. On May 22, 1895 he and his wife were made happy by the arrival of twin
sons. When they were blessed they were given the names of Ray William and Leroy Wilford.
Ray lived only two weeks.
About 1897 Brother Harris and family moved to Frisco where he had employment. He was
superintendent of the Sunday School nearly all the time they lived there, five years, and was a
ward teacher most of the time also. They were blessed with another son while there, Thomas G.
Harris.
In 1902 they moved back to Beaver and enjoyed living in a nice little home they had
purchased in the northwest part of town. He engaged in farming against as he had also bought
land with money he earned at Frisco.
In February 1904 this wife contracted a bad cold which turned in to pneumonia and she
passed from this life February 29th leaving her husband and two little boys, LeRoy and Thomas.
This was a great trial but his mother and widowed sisters and their families helped them a great
deal in their lonely condition.
Bro. Harris was a true Latter Day Saint and proved his implicit faith in the Gospel in his good
works. He was a strict tithe payer and kept up his fast offerings and was a liberal donater [sic] to
worthy causes. He found joy in giving money to missionaries who left Beaver. He was a man of
high ideals and taught his children correct principles.
He served faithfully as a High Priest for 51 years and was a counselor to Charles D. White,
President of the quorum for a number of years and for seven years was second counselor to
President Jacob T. Tanner, but owing to failing health he was released from that position in
August 1940 when the Presidency of the Quorum was reorganized.
He was a member of the Beaver Stake High Council for a number of years and labored as a
Stake missionary in all the wards of the stake except Milford.
Being a man of good judgment he held various civic positions. He was chairman of the
District school board for four years and after the consolidation of the schools was President of the
county School Board for several years.
He was chairman of the County Commissioners for 10 years and was a city councilman for six
years. Having served under 3 different mayors. Was president of the State Bank of Beaver
county for three years after serving as a bank director many years.
That last 30 years of his life he was troubled some with asthma which was more severe during
1940. The last few months he had had a slight paralysis of the throat which at last proved serious,
but he was fortunate in having good eyesight and good hearing to the last.
And now in looking back over this long and useful life of nearly 82 years, we admire him for
his honesty and sincerity in all his undertakings and now that his earthly race is ended we realize
what a wonderful mission he has filled in mortality and the great amount of good that has been
accomplished by Brother Charles Franklin Harris.
A vocal solo, "Just for Today," was then sang by Reed Moore, accompanied by Doris
Whornham.
Stake President S. Taylor Farnsworth was the next speaker and he commented upon the
history and remarks of Brother Paice and added that he was honored at being asked to speak and
told of the help he had received from the fine example of the life led by the deceased.
Elder Milton Gentry followed and spoke words of encouragement to the sons and
grandchildren to keep forever in mind the teachings of their departed loved one.
Brother Baker then thanked all present and all those who assisted in making a successful
funeral service.
The ladies quartett [sic] then sang "I know that My Redeemer Lives."
Benediction was offered by C. Dennis White.
Interment was in the Mountain View Cemetery under the direction of the Southern Utah
Mortuary. The grave was dedicated by Thomas W. Gunn.
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