Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1926-12-31 letter to James Arthur HarrisEntry/Object ID
1990.1.175Context
[Carbon Copy]
39 E. Park St
Westerville, Ohio
Dec. 31, 1926
Dear Arthur and family:-
It is 8:30 P.M. and only three and one half hours from 1927. I am too old to watch the New Year in but suppose the whistles and bells will rouse me from slumber. It has been a very busy year with us. Bertha was graduated from the college in June and James from the High School. James had a long siege of illness just as school closed but is able to be in college this year and we believe he will overcome his difficulty.
The people in general are about as usual. Our family spent last evening with Leonard's and had a jolly time. Ethel is married and is teaching near Cleveland. Her husband is Clifford Wertz. Frances is continuing her studies in music and finishing the Arts course in college. She has splendid musical ability. John lives in Columbus and has a good position with a firm that handles milk.
Paul is taking a year's work in North Western University at Evanston Ill. His work is public speaking and dramatics. Dan. continues his work in New York. He is rooming at 697 West End Ave. N.Y. He did not get home Christmas. Paul and family were here for 24 hours only. James is a freshman in college and is taking voice along with other work. I think he has better natural voice than Dan. Richard is in second year of high school and taking music along with it. He plays flute in the town band also. Joe has the same old job he has had for eight years- go, go. Frank is at 17 S. 5th st Kenmore Ohio. The folk in Athens Co are about as usual. Carlos (Howard's boy) is still on a battle ship on coast of stormy Nicaragua. We have not heard from your father and mother for some time. We were distressed until we heard from them after the storm.
At last we typed several copies of your great grandfather Harris's autobiography. James copied it and I reviewed it quite carefully. The spelling is aimed to be exactly as the manuscript. James tried to observe the periods somewhat. This is not the final form. We have talked of mimeographing it carefully on good paper and making about 100 copies. If we had all the data prepared that I believe should accompany it I would suggest printing it. The present form tends to preserve it until better form can be worked out. I enclose with it copy of notes relative to life of your great great grandparents Richard and Beulah Harris, also your great grandfather Watson Harris. These are not final in form at all as I want to get further information.
I am wondering if we might place these biographies along with Grandmother Harris's and my father's together with the autobiography. We might get some pictures and possibly a facsimile page of the original manuscript of the autobiography. If you have suggestions I shall appreciate having them. I have considerable manuscript and notes relative to other branches of the family which I hope to work out a little when time permits.
We often think of you and the splendid family. We would like to see those boys. I imagine they are fine and splendid fellows. It has taken me half an hour to hammer out this letter. May choice blessings rest upon you all and may the New Year bring joy and happiness to you all.
Affectionately,
[JHH]
