IN MEMORIAM, JOHN S. HARRIS. 163 



January, 1871. He was then made corresponding- secretary, holding 

 the office two years, and was then elected secretary for one year, 

 and edited the second volume of transactions. Again from 1881 to 

 1884, he was president of the society, and has since been a member 

 of the executive committee. In 1875, he was elected a member of 

 the board of managers of the State Agricultural Society, and held 

 the position twelve years. 



"His has been an active life. Beginning without any capital, 

 except a knowledge of his business, and the help of a willing and 

 frugal wife, he has created a comfortable home in one of the most 

 beautiful spots in the ^Mississippi valley, and yet has found time to 

 do much for the advancement of agriculture and horticulture, and 

 has spoken and written much upon these subjects during the last 

 forty years, and for many years of the time the writing and study 

 was done at night after long days of hard toil. His school education 

 was limited to the most common English branches that were taught 

 m the common schools of that day, but he has never ceased to con- 

 tinue to educate himself by reading and studying nature." 



Mr. Harris took an honest pride in his record as an exhibitor at 

 the state fair, and his record continued unbroken from the time the 

 above was written until the date of his decease. His exhibits last 

 fall, and, indeed, this is true for many years past, being far in excess 

 of those of any other single exhibitor of fruit at the fair. So largely 

 did he contribute to the success of this department that unless his 

 son shall take up this work where he has laid it down and prove a 

 worthy successor of so worthy a father, as we anticipate, it may re- 

 quire a radical re-adjustment of the arrangements in the hall to pro- 

 vide against this loss. 



As a member of this society it is impossible to say too much for 

 the fidelity and untiring zeal he manifested in its service. He has 

 been well titled the "godfather" of the society. A leading spirit in 

 its organization, thirty-five years ago, he has never faltered in his 

 efforts to advance its interests. This unselfish work has been ap- 

 preciated by his fellow members, and he had the pleasure of know- 

 ing this was true for many years. In recognition of the special 

 value of his services he was unanimously elected an honorary life 

 member at the annual meeting in Jan. 1880. He and two others at 

 that meeting were given this honor, Chas. Y. Lacy, the retiring sec- 

 retary, who had served the society well as secretary for some years 

 without compensation, and the late Col. John H. Stevens. These 

 were the first life members placed upon our roll, except Mrs. Wm. 

 Paist. His official relation to the society is recited in the quotation 

 given above. It remains to be said that he continued to be honored 

 with a position on the executive board of the society till the time of 

 his death, making eighteen years continuous service in that offtce. 

 As the committee on seedlings and a member of the committee on 



