Winnie Davis Camp No. 108 UCV Records from Membership Register   R. D. Harris Entered Conf Serv 1862 Co H., Co. E. 12th T. C. [Texas Cav?] Disch end of war May 23, 1865 In Memory of R. D. Harris (Press) To Camp Winnie Davis Your Committee elected on the death of Comrade R. D. Harris submit the following statement of the life and oracles of said comrade. The subject was born in Tenn. about 1839, the son of Dawson Harris.  His parents died when he was about ten years old and he then lived with his brother [blotted - appears to read "until he"] was practically grown.  He came with his brother's family to Texas about 1835.  With them were his brother's daughters (and his nieces) Mary and Mattie, who are now living.  Mary is the wife of B. C. King and Mattie the wife of C. U. Torres?.  His brother and sister-in-law died many years ago. He had a strong and well balanced mind, a healthy and vigorous body free from taint of disease.  He possessed a brave and tender heart, ever over flowing with the milk of human kindness - in whose sacred chambers were indelibly written the names of many youthful friends, nearly all of whom have crossed over the river.  The palsied hand of 77 years better feels the grip of the once youthful friend.  Press had few of the opportunities even of those pioneer times in Ellis County to acquire an education.  But endowed by nature as he was with a strong and vigorous mind and body his only capitol stock, he courageously and confidently engaged life's hard battles, and by good judgment, fortitude and perseverance he achieved even more than he hoped for. In 1860 it was reported that the Indians were slaughtering the whites near Jacksboro.  Two companies were organized in Ellis Co. commanded by Major Rogers and Frank Harris,  Press's brother.  Press was one of the volunteers in his brother's company.  These men rushed to Jacksboro to find that war rumors as heard were not always true.  The Jacksboro citizens had not [heard of] Indian raids until the volunteers got there. We only mention the circumstance to show the spirit of the old pioneers of Ellis County, and especially to show the real character of our friend, which should still further be shown. Press was a hero, without vanity, and without being conscious of it, in every trying time and all along his life's long  battle line. In 1861, when dark war clouds hung over our happy ranch land, ominous of the wreck and ruin that come to us after a fearful and bloody war, he answered the first call to arms, and as a private in Co. H., Captain Hawkins Co. - Parsons's Regt. 12 Texas Cav. he faithfully and honorably fought in the lines till the curtain fell and the Confederacy was no more.  In this contest, the most cruel and bloody on the American continent, he, like thousands of other Confederate soldiers, had no interest at stake save his country's cause and the lives and homes of our dear southland. He married about 1869 Miss Ann Richardson and located north of the present town of Roy on an unimproved tract of land, and with but little means, began to clean and improve it for a home.  By hard blows from a strong shoulder, he felled the trees and built a house and shelter for his young wife. Prosperity and the comforts of a good home came to him in due time, as his well earned reward.  He died Jan. 4, 1917 after a long and wasting siege.  Perhaps as a result of his over exertion and labor.  He is survived by his wife, two married daughters and several grandchildren. Press had no vain ambitions.  He worshiped at the shrine of duty.  This weary toiler is now taking his first long rest.  His spirit has gone to the Great Chancellor of the high court of Heaven who [is] standing at the door of his temple awaiting his coming. Committee: B. F. Marchbanks and J. B. Wilson   Copyright © 2002-2016, Ellis County TXGenWeb. All Rights Reserved. This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2021 13:18:55 MDT