William Harris

William Harris was born June 8, 1836 in Big Spring, Tennessee to McGee and Mary Polly Givens Harris. William is a Pioneer of Richmond. William is a veteran of the Indian Wars. William is the father of Charles Zera Harris.

History

In the 1840's the Harris family moved from Tenessee to Marian, Illinois, and accumulated a good farm estate. Sometime in 1845, the Harris family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to live with the Saints in Nauvoo. They lived moved to Winter Quarters during the winter of 1847-1848. During this time, the whole family except William contracted chills and fevers. William did all he could at the age of 12 to care for his family, and they all recovered.

The Harris Family joined the Brigham Young 1848 Company on June 5 and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on Sep 24. The family lived in Salt Lake, Harriman, and Springville from 1848-1860.

In 1860, William and his brothers Alex and Eli were in conversation when Alex suggested the three of them move to Cache Valley. "Boys, let's go to Cache Valley," said Alex, with the other boys saying "All right!" They moved to Richmond in the spring of 1860.

William married Emeline Whittle on Aug 20, 1861 in Richmond. They moved in the southwest side of the "Old Fort" and began their family. 

Indian Wars Service

After the construction of the Richmond Fort in 1860 and other forts in Cache Valley, the Territory of Utah created the Cache Military District on Oct 15, 1861 with Church Apostle Ezra T. Benson as Colonel. On June 16, 1863, Richmond was organized into two companies of Infantry and two squads of Cavalry. William was a part of the Cavalry.

"Often while driving cattle from his Richmond home to his ranch In Gentile Valley he [William McGee Harris] has pointed out a certain spot in a cove of Lave Rock on Trout Creek, saying, 'There is where we camped the first night out after trailing Indians who had stealthily let down the bars to the horse corral in the Old Fort while the guard was off-duty just a few minutes and taken the horses.' Because of their Indian guide turning traitor, the trail was lost north of Soda Springs and this chase was unsuccessful."2

On July 23, 1860, William was enrolled in a company with Captain Thomas E. Ricks. The company marched to Smithfield, Utah and battled some Native Americans. He was released from active duty on Sep 3, 1860.1

Member of the City Council (? - 1897)

William Harris served as a member of the City Council for an unknown number of years. Along with William, his sons Charles Zera Harris served on the City Council and as Mayor and Aroet Lucius Harris served on the City Council.

Epilogue