Edgar G. and Blanche Harris
Born and raised[edit]
As of June 18, 1900, Edgar (Edward) was born Aug 10, 1889 to Edmond (b 1857) and Clara(b 1855) Harris, one of 6 children. They were farmers in Oldfields, Ashe County, NC in a segregated district of black and mullato neighbors. The children attended school. Edmond’s parents were from Virginia and Clara’s from North Carolina.[1]
As of April 22, 1910, Edmond (b Virginia about 1857) and Clara (b North Carolina about 1856) and 6 children were living in Oldsfield, Ashe County, NC, inc Edward (Edgar) and the family were farmers, teachers, and laborers. Edward(Edgar) was listed as a farm laborer.[2]
Married and college[edit]
May 5, 1917 married Alice Jessie McNair in Marlboro, South Carolina.[3]
June 5, 1917, appearing under the name Edgar Garfield Harris for the first time, Edgar was born in Beaver Creek, Ashe County, NC on August 21, 1889. He registered from Oldsfield, NC, still listed as a farmer working under his father E. D. Harris. He had a wife but her name is not listed.[4]
Son Augustine Pinson Harris born in Beaver Creek, NC, April 7, 1918, to Edgar and Alice. Edgar is listed as college educated and working as a school teacher.[5]
Morris College circa 1918-1921 - see News-Gazzette Obit. Under president John Jacob Starks , one of 1230 students of 1920[6]
The Harris were living in Badin, Stanly County, NC, when another son, unnamed, was born June 28, 1921, to Edgar and Jessie. Both were teachers.[7]
Edgar was living with his brother, James, and James’ family and their mother on a farm back in Oldsfield, N C. Another brother was farming with his family next door. Edgar was listed as a teacher working in a public school.[8]
Illinois[edit]
Danville area[edit]
Edgar was born in North Carolina, registered as a teacher in Illinois, worked with the Vermillion County adult education program and was a member of Champaign Elks, in 1933. The Harris' founded Illinois Times together. A local minister was arrested in Sept 1940 for selling copies of the Chicago Defender that featured a satyrical story of Adolph Hitler invading Savannah, Georgia, and the Illinois Times covered the incident in some depth. The Times covered two regionally significant civil rights cases. One was a denial of service in some restaurants and the other of black women being able to try on hats and dresses as white customers did. Edgar continued "to make political stands" and "pushed for a permanent FEPC and for an end to southern segregation.” in the early 1950s.[9]
1938 part of publicity about prejudice living in Georgetown, IL (near Danville).[10]
Edgar founded the Illinois Times in 1939 in Danville and then continued publishing in Champaign from 1941 though 1971.[11]
Edgar parliamentarian of State Conference of Negro Youth.[12]
Edgar part of state Elk program committee. IBPOE (pictured)[13]
VP of Danville Elks[14]
Edgar publishing Illinois Times out of Danville is out of town visiting.[15]
Edgar G Harris suit for refusal to serve and public embarrassment[16]
Stayed Elk VP and was a publisher of newspapers.[17]
Edgar married Blanche Jamerson Nov 22, 1941, in St. Louis, MO. At the time Edgar was living in Danville, Vermillion County, IL and Blanche was living in Champaign, IL.[18]
Harris vs Valentine on being refused service at the restaurant.[19]
Edgar G. Harris part of suit against AP about small newspapers[20]
Bahá'í[edit]
Editor Illinois Times in the Champaign Directory for 1944-50 at 208 or 202 Ellis St.[21]
Edgar G Harris reviews book "Wisdom of Abdu'l-Baha" at public meeting[22]
Edgar, a Baha'i of Champaign, publishes a newspaper with weekly reports of Baha'i teachings.[23]
Edgar G Harris talk at Center, address[24]
Edgar is the contact person for the Champaign IL Baha'i group, living at 208 Ellis Ave, Champaign.[25]
Edgar G. Harris, publisher, editor[26]
speakers inc Baha'is Clifford Jones, Edgar Harris[27] Baha'i Assembly: Hutchens, Harris', Bakers', Thomas, Underwood, Lewis, Gift[28]
Edgar and Blance ere living in the main floor of the house at 202 Ellis St, Champaign IL. Others were living in the basement and upper floor.Both were working with the newspaper.[29]
Edgar Harris talk at Center, address[30]
Edgar & Blanche Harris were in Victory Temple[31]
profile of religion[32]
Edgar is named secretary of the Assembly, living at 202 Ellis Ave., Champaign.[33]
Editorial[34]
Baha'i Centenary Committee reception @ Sniders; Wieners, Hutchens, Baker, Stute, Hottes, Harris’[35]
Edgar is named secretary of the Assembly, living at 208 West Ellis Ave., Champaign.[36]
Blanche J Harris reports on conference of Victory Temple[37] Blanche J Harris in Victory Temple[38]
France Wilson to visit Edgar & Blanche Harris, guest of Bassey[39]
Edgar is named secretary of the Assembly, living at 202 Ellis Ave., Champaign.[40]
Flora Hottes hosts students inc Buford, Chavis, Bead, Crossen, Wales, Smith, Harris, Jordau[41]
Harris served as reception committee for the community Naw Ruz observance which gathered 54 adults from the region.[42]
Letter of thanks of Edgar[43] Kin visit uncle Edgar[44]
Mother Jamerson died Mar 1962.[45]
Died[edit]
Edgar Died before July 1975.[46] May 7, 1975.[47]
Edgar G. Harris, 85, of 202 W. Ells St., Champaign, locally known black educator, died at 12:23 p. m. Wednesday, May 7, 1975 at home. Memorial services will be conducted at a later date. Heath and Sons is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Harris was born Aug. 21, 1889 in Ash County, N.C., a son of Ed David and Clova Barber Harris. He married Blanche Jamerson Nov. 22, 1941 at St. Louis, Mo., who survives. Also surviving are two sons; a brother, James, Nottingham Pa.; and a sister, Mrs. Lilie Richardson, Washington, D.C. He was preceded in death by three brothers, a sister, and his parents. He was a member of the Baha'i Center, Urbana. He was an honorary member and a Past Grand Adviser of the Elks Club. Mr. Harris received a Bachelor of Science from Morris College, Sumter, S. C. in 1920. He taught at CCC camps during the depression in the 1930's and the Danville Adult Education Program. He was a member of the Education Board of Unit 4 Schools in Champaign. He was founder of the North Carolina Times and a former editor of the Illinois Times. Memorials may be made to the Baha'i Center, 503 W. Elm St.[48]
Blanche died July 15, 1987[49]
Funeral services for Blanche J. Harris, 88 of the Urbana Nursing Home, Urbana, formerly of 202 W. Ells Ave., C., will be at 11 a. m. Saturday at Mount Hope Mausoleum Chapel, Champaign, with members of the Baha'i Faith officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Champaign Owens Funeral Home, Champaign, is handling arrangements. Mrs. Harris died at 9:30 p. m. Wednesday (July 15,1987) at the nursing home. She was born Aug. 26, 1898 at Champaign, a daughter of Andrew and Nannie Ross Jamerson. She married Edgar Harris. He preceded her in death.[50]
References[edit]
- ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MST2-B4W Edward Heris Census • United States Census, 1900(registration required)
- ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLSG-R4V Edward Harris Census • United States Census, 1910(registration required)
- ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ZDL7-3JT2 Edgar G Harris Marriage • South Carolina, County Marriage Licenses, 1911-1951(registration required)
- ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ85-ZCL Edgar Garfield Harris Military • United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918(registration required)
- ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CLZ7-P73Z Augustine Pinson Harris Birth • North Carolina, Center for Health Statistics, Vital Records Unit, County Birth Records, 1913-1922(registration required)
- ↑ https://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/morris-college/ ->
- ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HG8Y-8ZW2 UNKNOWN Birth • North Carolina, Center for Health Statistics, Vital Records Unit, County Birth Records, 1913-1922(registration required)
- ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X392-ZB9 Edgar G Herrid Census • United States Census, 1930(registration required)
- ↑ Aiello, Thomas. Practical Radicalism and the Great Migration : The Cultural Geography of the Scott Newspaper Syndicate, University of Georgia Press, 2023, pp216-217, 319
- ↑ YOUTHS CLAIM PREJUDICE AT ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY - DISHWASHER CALLED TO SERVE RACE STUDENTS, The Pittsburgh Courier, City Edition, Pittsburgh, Pa. 09 Apr 1938, p6
- ↑ The Black Press in Illinois A. Gilbert Belles Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society (1908-1984), Vol. 68, No. 4 (Sep., 1975), pp.346, 348 https://www.jstor.org/stable/40191030
- ↑ Youth Reject Resolutions On War, And Civil Rights As Slap At Reds, The Chicago Defender (National edition) Chicago, Ill. 25 Nov 1939, p2
- ↑ III. Elks' Convention Program Committee, Atlanta Daily World, Atlanta, Ga. 15 Feb 1940, p2
- ↑ State Elks Hold First Annual Meet, The Chicago Defender (National edition), Chicago, Il, 06 July 1940, p12
- ↑ DANVILLE, by Collier, Harry J. The Chicago Defender (National edition) Chicago, Ill., 11 Jan 1941, p10
- ↑ * Sues For Slight In Il Eat Shop, The Chicago Defender (National edition), Chicago, Il 08 Feb 1941, p1
- https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-bahai-edgar-g-harris/106356465/ Valentine asks suit dismissal, Herald and Review Decatur, Illinois • Wed, Jun 25, 1941 Page 3
- ↑ DR. FRAZIER IS RE-ELECTED BY ILLINOIS ELKS - Succeeds Self To Begin Third Year As Leader Of State Lodges Sayers, Henry E., The Chicago Defender (National edition), Chicago, Il. 12 July 1941, p5
- ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6D5W-XXCG Edgar G Harris Marriage • Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991
- ↑ Illinois Elks Still Fight For Freedom, Atlanta Daily World, Atlanta, Ga., 24 July 1942, p5
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-bahai-edgar-g-harris-part-of/106371541/ Scores of Newspaper Executives endorse action of small papers who joined defense in AP suit, The Times Streator, Illinois • Tue, Dec 1, 1942 Page 3
- ↑ * https://archive.org/details/champaigncountyd1944/page/113/mode/1up Champaign County directory, pp113, 459
- https://archive.org/details/champaigncountyd1945/page/119/mode/1up Champaign County directory, pp119, 460
- https://archive.org/details/champaigncountyd1946/page/132/mode/1up Champaign County directory, pp132, 466
- https://archive.org/details/champaigncountyd1947/page/162/mode/1up Champaign County directory, pp162, 191
- https://archive.org/details/champaigncountyd1948/page/174/mode/1up Champaign County directory, pp174, 204
- https://archive.org/details/champaigncountyd1949/page/170/mode/1up Champaign County directory, pp170, 200
- https://archive.org/details/champaigncountyd1950/page/159/mode/1up Champaign County directory, p159
- ↑ * https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-courier-bahai-edgar-g-harri/141528893/ Edgar G Harris…, The Evening Courier Urbana, Illinois • Sun, Jun 10, 1945 Page 18
- https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-courier-bahai-edgar-g-harr/106371593/ Baha'i Center, The Evening Courier Urbana, Illinois • Sun, Jul 15, 1945 Page 4
- ↑ https://bahai.works/index.php?title=File:Baha%27i_News_177.pdf&page=16 Urbana, Illinois, Baha'i News, Nov 1945, n177, p16
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-illini-bahai-edgar-g-harris-t/141528916/ Baha'i Center, The Daily Illini Urbana, Illinois • Sat, Jul 27, 1946 Page 4
- ↑ https://bahai.works/index.php?title=File:Baha%27i_News_185.pdf&page=12 Baha'i Groups, June 1946, Baha'i News, n185, Jul 1946, p12
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-bahai-edgar-g-harri/141529176/ Statement of the Ownership…, The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Fri, Oct 14, 1949 Page 4
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-speakers-inc-bahais/141721867/ Free movies will accompany speaker, The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Fri, May 5, 1950 Page 1
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-bahai-assembly-hutc/141536907/ Mrs Eleanor Hutchens Baha'i chairman, The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Fri, May 12, 1950 Page 1
- ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6X18-TQHG Edgar G Harris Census • United States 1950 Census(registration required)
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-bahai-edgar-harris-t/141538146/ Editor to speak, The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Fri, Nov 24, 1950 Page 1
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-bahais-edgar-blanc/141533592/ Brief history of Victory Temple no 539, The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Fri, Apr 13, 1951 Page 1
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-editorial-by-bahai-e/141529444/ Editorial - Foundation Findings, the Baha'i World Faith, (Harris'), The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Fri, Nov 30, 1951 Page 4
- ↑ https://bahai.works/index.php?title=File:Baha%27i_News_248.pdf&page=7 Directory Additions and Changes; Champaign, Ill, Baha'i News, n248, Oct 1951, p7
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-editorial-by-bahai-e/141529475/ Editorial - Standards of Value, (Harris'), The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Wed, Feb 6, 1952 Page 6
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-bahai-centenary-comm/141544504/ Prof. and Mrs. Snider give dinner, The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Sat, Dec 20, 1952 Page 9
- ↑ * https://bahai.works/index.php?title=File:Baha%27i_News_267.pdf&page=12 Directory Additions and Changes; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Champaign, ILL, Baha'i News, n267, May 1953, p12
- https://bahai.works/index.php?title=File:BW_Volume12.pdf&page=753 Baha'i Directory 1953-1954, v12, p723
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-bahai-blanche-j-harr/141535299/ Report of the Ills Wis State Convention of Women, The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Mon, Jul 20, 1953 Page 2
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-bahai-blanche-j-harr/141535372/ State Officers 1953-54, The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Mon, Jul 20, 1953 Page 3
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-bahai-france-wilson/141553783/ Bahai (sic) pioneer flies here, The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Wed, Nov 4, 1953 Page 2
- ↑ https://bahai.works/index.php?title=File:Bahai_Directory_1955-1956_294_Insert.pdf&page=7 Baha'i Directory 1955-1956; Addresses of Local Spiritual Assemblies, Baha'i News (Insert), p7
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-bahai-flora-hottes-h/141718440/ Lovely hostess…, The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Fri, Apr 8, 1960 Page 2
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-bahais-observe-naw-r/116361932/ Baha'i Faith celebrates New Year, The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Mon, May 2, 1960 Page 7
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-editorial-thanks-by-b/141529646/ We are extremely thankful, The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Fri, Sep 22, 1961 Page 1
- ↑ ttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-visiting-bahai-edgar/141529661/ The News, The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Fri, Sep 22, 1961 Page 3
- ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-illinois-times-obit-of-nanie-jamerso/141535755/ Mrs Nanie Jamerson, The Illinois Times Champaign, Illinois • Thu, Mar 8, 1962 Page 1
- ↑ https://bahai.works/index.php?title=File:National_Bahai_Review_90.pdf&page=6 In Memoriam, National Baha'i Review, n90, Jul 1975, p6
- ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/242045009/edgar-garfield-harris Edgar Garfield Harris, Created by: Naomi Snider (Yocom) McFadden Added: Jul 27, 2022
- ↑ U. The News-Gazette, 8 May 1975, page 20
- ↑ https://bahai.works/index.php?title=File:The_American_Bahá’í_Vol18_No9.pdf&page=31 In Memoriam, The American Bahá'í, Sep 1987, p31
- ↑ The News-Gazette, 17 July 1987, page C2
