My Genealogy Hound

Frank Harris (deceased) was a native of Washington County, and was born June 15, 1843. He was the second in the family of three children born to Henry and Mary (Haefner) Harris, natives, respectively, of Poland and Kentucky. Frank was reared in his native county and received excellent educational advantages. He attended the Christian Brothers’ College, of St. Louis, from which institution he graduated June 28, 1861; he afterward entered Columbia College, New York, where he graduated in May, 1864, and in December of the same year was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of New York. While pursuing his studies at Columbia College he was employed as tutor in the college. After being admitted to the bar he located at Independence, and entered upon the active practice of his profession, which he followed until the death of his father, which necessitated his return to Washington County. In connection with his law practice, in the latter county, he was also engaged in mercantile pursuits, and became closely identified with both the political and business interests of the county. In 1872 he established the Independent, a paper which he conducted with signal ability until his death, which occurred May 23, 1836. On January 13, 1869, he married Miss Estelle D. Harris, a daughter of L. W. and Sarah (Hicks) Harris, the latter a niece of Gov. Dunklin. Mr. Harris was an active Democrat in politics and worked faithfully for the interests of his party. For eight years he held the office of prosecuting attorney, the duties of which position he was discharging at the time of his death. He left at his death, beside his widow, six children, viz.: Frank, Emma, Henry W., Alonzo G., Lucille and Pauline.