The Harris Centennial
Harris --The past 100 Years
The Beginning
Pages 5-6
Soon after the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad was constructed through this county, A.W. Harris and Phillip Proper bought several acres of land and platted it into lots in 1889, and called it Harris. The railroad promptly established a station there.
D.A.W. Perkins, in his history published in 1892, says: "This is a station on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad, on the eastern side of the county. At present it does not claim to be metropolitan, but expects some time in the future to acquire prominence as one of the towns in the county. It is well located and when the country around it becomes more settled, the town will grow correspondingly. It has one general store, managed by Rufus Townsend, who is also postmaster, and the store has a good trade. M.B. Smith has a lumber yard and a harness shop. J. Ryckman runs a coal yard and John Watling is the blacksmith. The station agent is Homer Richards, and Frank P. Burley is a decorative painter. This about comprises the business interests of Harris, and no doubt the historian tem years from now will be able to make an extensive record which will come from its future growth."
This town of Harris organized a city government during the spring of 1898, with George W. Thomas as mayor and A. Reimers as clerk. Among the first councilmen were A.C. Winterfield, A.T. Winterfield and Fred Deitz, with A.W. Burley as assessor, and I. Harris as city marshal. The little city now has a population of five or six hundred people, and with its large white school house, two neat churches, many comfortable homes and business houses, together with its many thrifty shade trees, makes a very attractive sight and breaks the monotony of the once treeless prairie.
The Harris Savings Bank has substantial all two-story brick building, the second story of which is used for lodge rooms. Next to the bank building stands a cement block building occupied by the telephone exchange and city barber shop. Commencing near the depot appears J.B. Wilson's livery barn and feed stable, followed by the Harris Hardware Company, owned and managed by George Wilson and Fred Geronsin. Next to that is a restaurant operated by Fred Schladt, the real estate office of H.C. Harris, the general store of C.W. Beeler and the barber shop of Fred Lowrey. Mr. Lowrey opened a barber shop here soon after the town was started, coming from Sibley, and by thrift and industry has acquired a comfortable home and the shop in which he operates. He has the finest and best equipped barber shop in the county, thus demonstrating what steady industry will accomplish. Then follows the telephone exchange, managed by O.F. Unz, with about 7 town and 125 rural subscribers.
The Harris Savings Bank, with G.W. Moeller as cashier, is doing a safe banking business, writes insurance and negotiates farm loans. R.J. Robertson, a real estate dealer, has offices in the bank building. He is also an extensive land owner. He also negotiates farm loans and writes town and farm insurance. Dr. C.C. Cady is a general practitioner and has an extensive practice. A.W. Burley has a blacksmith shop and also conducts an automobile business and garage. George Bowers handles farm implements. John Burrows has a blacksmith shop. F.W. Hill, druggist and pharmacist, keeps a general stock of drugs. He also has a soda fountain and dispenses soft drinks and ice cream in season.
J.I. Dobbin is postmaster and editor of the Harris Herald. The meat market is conducted by Wentler Bros. The pool room is owned by Oscar Miller, who also buys and ships stock. Mrs. S. Crichton conducts a private hotel. The hotel is now occupied by private families, there not being residences enough to furnish homes for all the people. Harris needs more houses at the present time. Henry Hintz sells automobiles and manages a garage. The Harris Mercantile Company occupies a large two-story building on corner, with an extensive stock of general merchandise. It is managed by Patrick Mann. H.W. Wiemer is an implement dealer. George Wernstrum conducts a cream station and restaurant. A pool room and lunch counter are operated by John Heppler.
C.A. Barnes, one of the early day merchants, conducts a hardware business. Next is a stock of furniture by C.W. Beeler.
The Superior Lumber Company has a commodious lumber and coal yard, conducted by L.J. Hagerty. The grain elevator of Anderson and Company is under the local management of H.P. Umland. A.A. Thompson manages the Stockdale and Diet elevator. Mr. Thompson also handles town and farm property. The Gregg and Zeeman elevator is under the management of A.C. Wettestead.