Biography
George William Harris was born 30 August 1819 in Bury, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom to George Harris (1787-1866) and Mary Kay (c1795-c1825) and died 5 March 1905 O'Halloran Terrace, Mount Gambier, South Australia, Australia of unspecified causes. He married Cecil Georgiana Bernays (1827-1868) 12 August 1847 in England, United Kingdom.
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| George Adolphus Harris (1849-1913) | |||
| Edwin John Harris (1851-1939) | |||
| Richard William Harris (1853-1853) | |||
| Arthur Thomas Harris (1854-1854) | |||
| Frederick Edward Harris (1855-1919) | |||
| Helen Fanny Harris (1857-1875) | |||
| Theresa Cecil Harris (1859-1934) | |||
| Annie Charlotte Harris (1861-1862) | |||
| Alice Mary Harris (1863-1941) | |||
| Dora Louisa Harris (1864-1934) | 24 July 1864 Croxton, Victoria, Australia | 12 August 1934 Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, United Kingdom | William Cunningham (Willie) MacGregor (1862-1934) |
| Bessie Harris (1866-1957) | |||
| Eva Fanny Harris (1868-1937) | |||
Obituary
Mr. G. W. Harris.—Mr. George William Harris, M.I.C.E., who was for 22 years superintending engineer for the South-Eastern Road Board, died on Sunday morning, 5th inst., at the residence of his daughter, O'Halloran Terrace. The deceased gentleman, who had reached the ripe age of 85½ years, had all his life enjoyed a remarkable measure of robust health, and he passed away as the result of senile decay. About five weeks ago, his strength giving way, he was confined to his bed, and becoming steadily weaker, passed quietly away early on Sunday morning. Mr. Harris was a native of England, and was born at Bury, Lancashire, on August 30, 1819. His father was the Rev. George Harris, vicar of Ringwood, Hampshire, He was educated at Mill Hill, near London, and after leaving college was articled to Messrs. Fox and Henderson, civil engineers, of the London and Birmingham railway, with whom he learned civil engineering, and was subsequently engaged on large railway works in France. In 1848, as a young man of 29, he came to Adelaide in the ship Calcutta.
He was thus a colonist of 57 years. In 1847, a year before he left Home, he married Miss Cecil Bernays, daughter of Dr. Bernays, of King's College, London. For some years after arrival in Adelaide, he was employed in survey work in this state, and then went to Victoria, where he was engaged in the same capacity till about 1860. For some years following this he entered upon pastoral pursuits, and in 1866 was appointed superintending engineer to the South-Eastern District Board of Main Roads.
He was an active and efficient officer, and remained in that position until the Board was disbanded in 1888—the long period of 22 years.
His wife died in 1868, and since 1888 he had been living with various members of his family.
For some years be lived at Millicent with his son Edwin, and for the last few years at Mount Gambier with his daughter Miss Bessie Harris.
He leaves three sons—Messrs G. A. Harris, of Western Australia, E. J. Harris, of Millicent, and F. E Harris, of Bethunga, Victoria; and five daughters—Mrs. P. A. Vyner, of Invercargill, New Zealand, Mrs. W. C. MacGregor, of Dunedin, New Zealand, Mrs. T. Harvey and Mrs. W. G Nordmann, of Adelaide, and Miss Bessie Harris, of Mount Gambier. There are about 30 grandchildren. It may be remarked that Mr. Harris out-lived his fellow officers of the Victoria Road Board—Mr. A K. Varley, the secretary, and Mr. G. Richardson, the overseer of works; and all the members of the Board except four—Messrs. John Watson (who was chairman of the Board after the death of Mr. C. Fidler). Geo. Glen, S.M., and Thos. Edwards, of Mount Schanck, and Mr. F. Overheu, now of Western Australia. Sir Samuel Davenport, a schoolmate of his at Mill Hill, who survives him. The funeral was held on Monday afternoon, and was well attended by the old friends and acquaintances of the deceased gentleman. The last services of religion were conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon Young. Mr. G. B. Renfrey was funeral director.
Footnotes (including sources)
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