GEORGE CUDDY HARRIS, Civil War Veteran (Photo submitted by Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 1/12/13 - Image Year: 1890
GEORGE CUDDY HARRIS, in his boyhood, attended the schools of Port Royal. He afterwards learned the milling business in the Wilson mill, and worked at it for four years. When the Civil war broke out, Mr. Harris was very anxious to help in the defense of his country, and when but sixteen years old he ran away from home, and, without the knowledge of his father or mother, joined the army. In December 1864, he enlisted at Harrisburg in Battery B, First Light Artillery, commanded by Captain Cooper, of New Castle, Lawrence County, Pa., who was afterwards succeeded by Captain McClellan, of the same county. After his enlistment he was in the gallant Army of the Potomac, and took part in the battles of the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spotsylvania, North Ann River, Cold Harbor, the siege of Petersburg and the battle of Weldon Railroad. During his career as a soldier, Mr. Harris displayed the greatest courage and bravery. He endured all hardships and privations with fortitude, and was never known to shirk a duty however difficult. He participated in twenty-two general engagements, and in several minor ones. He was mustered out at Harrisburg, June 10, 1865. At the close of the war he engaged in milling at Port Royal, and later went to Waterford, Juniata County, where he followed the same occupation, until forced by sickness to give it up. In 1868, he was employed as a track hand on the Pennsylvania Railroad and continued in this position for twenty-five years, when he was appointed to his present position. As a watchman, he has shown himself careful and efficient, never absent from his post, although he has a walk of four miles and a half every day. Since his appointment there has been no accident, which was in any way due to negligence on his part. He is one of the most respected and trusted employees of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
On September 28, 1868, George C. Harris was married at Port Royal to Miss Catharine DePew, who was born at Miller Factory, Milford Township. She is a daughter of Isaac and Mary A. (Duncan) DePew; her father, who is a tanner, is of French descent, and her mother of Scotch-Irish. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have three children: Samuel, born in Milford Township, Juniata County, a blacksmith of McCullochs Mills, Juniata County, who married Miss Ida Lauver, and has two children, Willie L. and George R.; Melissa, born at Ashland, Neb., wife of John A. Horning, of Fermanagh Township, Juniata County, has one child, Catharine; and William, born in Milford Township, Juniata County, an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Mr. Harris is a member of the Railroad Relief Corps, and also of the Improved Order of Red Men, Lodge No. 42, of Mifflintown. He belongs to Wilson Post, No. 134, G. A. R., of Mifflintown. He is a Democrat, but is liberal in his views. He attends the Lutheran Church.
