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FROM THE BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS BY DAVID MONTGOMERY AND MARK GREEN:
ELDER JETHRO S. HARRIS
WRITTEN BY HIS DAUGHTER, PAULINE H. HODGES:
Jethro Snoman Harris was born March 1, 1886 in the Indian Valley section of Floyd County, Virginia. His parents were Asa and Lucy Virginia Manning Harris.
Jethro S. Harris joined the Indian Creek Baptist at Indian Valley, Virginia on April28, 1912, and was baptized by his father, Elder Asa Harris on April 28, 1912. The church gave him liberty to begin in the ministry on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in October 1919. He was licensed to preach on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in May 1922 and ordained in the full Ministry of the Gospel on October 8, 1923. He served churches in Floyd County and other surrounding counties in rural Southwest Virginia and the city of Roanoke, Virginia.
He was Moderator of the Indian Creek Church from 1933 to 1969 when he waschosen Honorary Pastor, and remained in that capacity until his death. He served as Clerk of the New River Association for seven years, then as Moderator for seven years. He traveled as much as possible attending church services and preaching when called upon.
In 1909 he purchased a used set of surveying tools, taught himself to use them and this was his only means of income outside of the small amount of money he received from the churches he served. He received less than $12.00 in one year from one of the churches he served, but an old sister in the church gave him a five-pound bag of chestnuts for Christmas.
In 1909 he met and married Martha Ella Moore. He had already purchased a farm and house and they lived there until the mid 1930's. They had nine children, all born in this home, before they moved to Willis, Virginia, about 10 miles away. They lived in the Willis area for their remaining years.
He served as an officer in the first telephone company that was formed in Indian Valley, Virginia; was active in gaining a right-of-way for electricity into the community; served as administrator of estates; recorder of births and deathsfor the Commonwealth of Virginia; wrote wills, deeds and letters for people in the community.
Jethro S. Harris died January 16, 1970 after declining health had restricted much of his activities, but he remained alert and in very good spiritual memory. |
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