Did you know—
A local Morrow Countian gave the opening prayer and benediction at the funeral of General Ulysses S Grant??
The article from the National Tribune, dated August 13, 1885 reads as follows:
The services were opened by Rev Dr Agnew, of Phildelphia, who read the 90th Psalm. As he concluded Bishop Harris advanced a few steps and offered up a lengthy prayer. Dr Douglas, one of the dead soldier’s physicians, stood by the Bishop with his handkerchief pressed to his eyes, and several times during the day, the Doctor broke down and wept. When the prayer of Bishop Harris closed, the choir under the leadership of Mr Camp of Brooklyn, sang.
Bishop Harris was born in 1817 to James and Mary Logan Harris in Troy Township, near Blooming Grove. Known as “Logue” Harris as a boy, he had a reputation as a mischief-maker in his younger years. William was converted to the Christian faith in 1834. After that life-changing event, he studied at the Norwalk Ohio Seminary.
He was licensed to preach in 1937 and went on to serve local congregations at Dover, Bellville, Amity, Chesterville, Delaware, Toledo and Norwalk. He taught and administered in higher level academics at Ohio Wesleyan University and Baldwin Institute, Berea.
Dr Harris was recognized as an authority not only on the theology of the ME church but also on the governance of the church. He was fondly remembered for his influence in the abolitionist movement of 1860, at a time when the church still tolerated the owning of slaves by non-church members. His strong hatred of slavery influenced the ME church to change its stance in the matter.
Portions of the above article provided by current society member, Alice Mooney. The Bishop was Alice’s several times removed uncle.