Eds. Debra Buster and Nedra Chandler___________________________Jan-Mar 1999

John Thomas Harris was the oldest son of Joel C. Harris and Paulena Elizabeth (Moore) Harris. He was born 13 September 1878 in Chambers County Alabama. John Thomas first appears on the 1880 Alabama Federal Census with his parents Joel and Elizabeth, also, his brother Alonzo. His age was recorded as 2 years.

John Thomas "Tom" remained in Chambers County several years, before following his father to Cass County, Texas in 1903, with his wife Sallie and baby daughter, Viola. Their second child, Mora Elizabeth was born 23 Sep 1904 shortly after their arrival in Cass County.

They lost their first child, Viola, at the age of five years and their youngest Windell Orvelle at four months. Viola Myrtle was born 10 April 1902 in McCullough, Escambia County Alabama, she cried no more, 27 May 1907, recorded in Linden, Cass County, and Texas. In her picture she seemed a serious child, thinking, taking in what was going on around her. She was probably a quite child. Most certainly a beautiful child. In the photograph, Viola and her sister, Mora were dressed prim and proper. From the crisp ribbons in their hair to the noticeable shine on their shoes. Their matching coatdresses trimmed in velvet were without a wrinkle.

'Tom' and Sallie lost their youngest, Windell Orville Harris at four months on 26 Oct 1906. Windell was born 27 June 1906. I have found no photographs as yet of this little one.

John Thomas married again to Nancy Barcum 08 August 1916 in Greenville, Hunt County, Texas at the Central Baptist Church. John Thomas and Nancy decided to leave Texas and settle in Idabel Oklahoma. Kinfolk were already there.

John Thomas married a fourth time to Jane Haffman 6 September 1956. John and Jane were members of the Baptist Church in Madera. They say photographs never lie. If so, I think John Thomas and Jane found some peace in their lives. John Thomas Harris died 10 October 1962, he was buried next to Vallie at the Arbor Vitae Cemetery. Arbor Vitae Cemetery was founded by the Woodman of the World fraternal organization. John Thomas may have belonged to WOW. I have not received any information from the California WOW office yet. His obituary appeared in the Madera Tribune an evening edition on 10 October 1962. It mentions his daughter Mora Wilks and three grandchildren. Mora told her son Sam Wilks Jr. that his grandfather was a peculiar man. After his death, they found money in jars and all the bills were pressed and ironed. Frances commented her grandfather visited Mora in Portland once he did not seem to have jovial side. Sam Jr. said he recalled the visit but his grandfather seemed unhappy and eager to return home.

His only surviving daughter Mora Elizabeth reunited with her father briefly around 1957. Mora moved west to Oregon when her daughter Frances married Jack Robert Smoke, from Portland, Oregon, decided to return home. One can only surmise how she came to find her father in California after so many years. Based on previous research and the many photographs of Mora and her children and grandchildren in Arrie Myrtle Harris...Evans photo scrapbook, it seems most probable that Mora located her father through her Aunt Arrie. Arrie most definitely was the family historian and record keeper. She seemed to be the peacemaker. Arrie was John Thomas' youngest sister. It would be a priceless treasure to find some correspondence between Mora and Arrie.

Mora and Viola 1906

Many thanks to JC 'Sonny' Lewis for the opportunity of copying his Grandmother Arrie's photograph album. I finally met JC last October. He brought Arrie's photograph album, it is true, that a picture is worth a thousand words. The photos gave a great deal of insight to the personality of Arrie, her brothers and sisters. It confirmed what I already surmised. She must have loved to travel and take photographs,and she did. She is the thread that binds many strands. Thanks to her photography, I have been able to share many pictures with other family members that had few. Thanks again JC. Next time, I hope we can visit a little longer. Please check through old cards, letters, address books, or backs of pictures for information that will help me locate the descendants of Julia Elizabeth Harris Taylor of Idabel, Broken Bow, McCurtain Co., Oklahoma. She is my last hold out, when I find her family, we will have compiled information on all of the descendants of each of Joel and Paulena's five children.

Special thanks to Harriet and Sandra from the NORCAL Lists for the help in getting the obiturary.