John Ashton Harris
Sex: M
AKA: Jack
Individual Information
Birth Date: 8 Sep 1898 - New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA 37
Christening: 27 Dec 1898 - Parents Home by P H Fontaine, Pastor
Death: 8 Jan 1968 - 918 Soniat St, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Burial: 9 Jan 1968 - Lafayette Cemetery No 1, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Cause of Death: Arteriosclerotic heart disease due to congestive heart disease.
Find A Grave ID: 11680400
Events
• Soc Sec Num: 438-48-5531, Louisiana, USA.
• Religion: Methodist.
Parents
Father: John Adam Harris {FGID: 87832156}
Mother: Emerita Magdalene Derbès {FGID: 87832057}
Spouses and Children
1. *Henrietta Madeline Walter {FGID: 11849628}
Marriage: 15 Jan 1917 - Jefferson, Louisiana
Children:
1. Audrey Meryl Horton Harris {FGID: 11849623}
Notes
General:
Per New Orleans birth index:Medical:
Harris, Ashton John - - 09/08/1898 Volume 119 Page 250
Father: John A Harris
Mother: Emerita Derbes
Per Birth Certificate
Be it Remembered, that on this day to wit the Thirtyeth of Nov in the year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred 1900, One hundred and 23 of the independence of the United States, before me Quitman Kohnke M. D. President Board of Health and Exofficio Recorder of Births, Deaths & Marriages in and for the parish and City of New Orleans, personally appeared John A. Harris, a native of this city residing #2027 Constance St, who hereby declares that on the Eighth day of September 1898 (Sep 8 1898) at his residence was born a male child, named Ashton John Harris (white) Lawful issue of deponent a native of this city aged 41 years occupation Supervisor Cotton Exchange and Emerita Derbes a native of this city, aged 41 years.
Thus done at New Orleans, in the presence of the aforesaid J. A. Harris as also in that of Messrs. P H Lanauge & J. T. O'Dowd both of this City witnesses, by me requested so to be, who have hereunto set their hands, together with me, after due reading hereof, the day, month and year first above written.
[followed by signatures]
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pitretrail/myline/maternal/jaharris.htm lists marriage of
John Ashton Harris b: 8 September 1898 in New Orleans, LA; d: 8 January 1968 in New Orleans, LA; burial: Lafayette Cem. #1, Walter Family Tomb
+Henrietta W. Walter b: 13 April 1896; m: Abt. 1917 in New Orleans, LA; d: 14 November 1989 in New Orleans, LA; burial: Lafayette Cem. #1, Walter Family Tomb
Per 1900 U S Census
John Harris, a white male, is head of household at 5027 Constance St in New Orleans, LA. He was born in September 1859 and is 40 years old. He has been married for 6 years, was born in Louisiana as were his parents. He owns his house, but has a mortgage. He can read and write.
I can't read his occupation. Living with him is his wife, Emerita, and three kids, Earl, Hazel and J Ashton by his current wife, and his son E Horton by his first wife May Crumhorn. Emerita M. Harris is 41 years old, born in May 1859 in Louisiana, her father in France, her mother in Louisiana. The children were all born in Louisiana: Earl P. Harris, 4 years old, September 1895; Hazel A. Harris, 3 years old, November 1896; and Ashton J. Harris, 1 year old, September 1898. Erastus H. Harris is 10 years old, April 1890.
A family boards with them, Marie Gurley, Walter M. Gurley, Walter M. Gurley, Jr., and Marie K. Gurley.
There is also a black female servant, 18 year old Frances Serr.
Per 1910 U S Census 4/25/1910 Ward 14, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana
John A Harris, white male age 50, is head of household at 511-13 Audubon St, New Orleans. He owns the home mortgage free. He works as Port Commisioner for Lance's. He has been married for 25 years to Emerita, 50 years old. Living with them are their 4 children, Horton (20), Earle (14), Hazel (13) and Ashton (11). All were born in Louisiana, as were their parents.
I asked his grandaughter to explain the "silver tube in neck." She says as a young man he was beaten up by a black man who mistook him for someone who had verbally insulted him. Taken to the hospital, they inserted a silver tube in his neck to help him breathe. He spoke with a raspy voice the rest of his life.
Per Times-Picayune January 4, 1914 Page 12
BLACK TERRORS DEAL DEATH WOUND
Attack Two Youths on State near Magazine, Stabbing Ashton Harris
JUGULAR SEVERED
Escaped Bullies Have Been Assaulting White Youths for Several Weeks
Ashton Harris, aged 15 years, son of John T. Harris, formerly connected with the Dock Board, is in Charity Hospital, probably fatally wounded, as the result of a brutal attack made upon him Saturday evening by two young negroes. The boy was stabbed in the left side of the neck. His jugular vein is severed, and surgeons at the hospital held little hope for his recovery.
Young Harris and Horace Pelton, aged 13 years, 0043 Perrier Street, son of E. K. Pelton, of The Picayune staff, were walking in State Street, near magazine, when two young negroes began to ridicule them. Harris, according to a dying statement made at the hospital to Assistant Chief of Detectives Mouney, asked the negroes whom they were laughing at. He and young Pelton walked past the negroes. Harris suddenly was struck from behind and stabbed in the neck.
The wounded boy was rushed to the Charity Hoapital in an ambulance. Great loss of blood may cause his death, the surgeons say. He lay in the hospital Saturday night, one end of his cot being propped up too allow the blood to flow toward his brain, and gasped out to newspaper reporters the story of the assault. Young Pelton corroborated the story told by Harris.
The two young negroes have escaped. Neither Harris nor Pelton could give any description of them. The police think the assailants are Clement Johnson, aged 16 years, 4527 Annunciation, and an unidentified companion, with whom Johnson has terrorized young white boys in the uptown section for several weeks.
The Pelton boy said last night that the negro boy struck at him, but he ducked and escaped being hit. He knew the negro boy who did the cutting by sight, as he worked for Fred Roy, the grocer, at State and Magazine, but did not know his name until the police learned what it was.
He expressed great sorrow about the injury to his friend, who was a splendid, big fellow and very popular with the boys in the neighborhood. The two boys live on opposite sides of Perrier Street, and were going to the picture show together.
Boys about the scene said last night that they had seen negro boys with a pistol who were talking about getting some white boys. The Pelton boy chased the negro to Camp Street after his friend was cut.
Per New Orleans Item January 4, 1914 Page 2
Negro Fatally Wounds Boy After Laughter Fit
Son of John A. Harris Is Dying in Hospital.
While policemen, detectives and citizens search the upper section of the city for Clement Johnson, negro, Ashton Harris, the 15-year-old son of John A. Harris, brother to E. Horton Harris, secretary to Congressman Garland Dupre, formerly with a local newspaper, is laying at the point of death in the Charity hospital, his jugular vein completely severed by a razor wielded by the negro.
Between periods of consciousness Ashton told Assistant Chief of Detectives Dan Mouney and a reporter of The Item of the assault made on him by another negro, whose identity is unknown.
"I left my home at 6026 Perrier street early Saturday night. I was going to a motion picture show with Horace Pelton, son of night editor of the Picayune.
"We were walking on State street, near Magazine street, when we met two negro boys. One of them laughed at us and I asked him why he was laughing.
"He said. 'Don't you like it?'
"Before I could reply one of the negroes hit me in the head and the other cut me.
"They both ran. I walked a few feet and fell into the arms of a white man.
" I do not think I would recognize the negro who cut me if I saw him."
Per Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) January 5, 1914 Page 13
HARRIS MAY LIVE; NEGROES JAILED
Clement Johnson, Burly Stabber, Claims Self-Defense, But Witnesses Deny.
Ashton Harris, the youth who had his throat cut by a negro lad on State, near Magazine street, is doing well in the hospital, and he has a good chance for recovery. However, at one time it was thought that the little fellow would pass away.
Clement Johnson, of 4527 Annunciation Street, who used the knife, surrendered to the police early yesterday morning. He claims he was with Dennis Brown, of 557 Joseph, and the Harris boy, who had some companions, assaulted him, and he cut in self-defense. Brown was arrested and held in connection with the affair. The negro who used the knife is about 17 years of age, according to his statement, but he looks older, and is tall and well built, and could easily have handled three boys the size of Ashton Harris.
For some time back white boys in that section have been attacked by negro boys, and not long ago a crowd of mean caddies attacked some white boys and badly beat them. Those who witnessed the wounding of Harris say that it was done without cause.
Ashton Harris and the boy who was with him have both stated that they had never had any trouble with the negro boys, but that when they made remarks about them they asked who they were laughing at, and the cutting followed instantly. The biggest negro boy admitted that he had gone out with the intention of "getting" some white boy, because he had been annoyed by some boys previously, and that he did not know who the boy was that he cut.
Harris' father received information yesterday that the negro Johnson, who worked for Grocer Roy, had told his employer on Saturday that after he put away the horse and wagon he was going to "get" a white boy.
Per New Orleans Item January 5, 1914 Page 2
Negro Boys Accused of Slashing White Are Held
Blacks Surrender-Victim of Cutting May Recover
Clement Johnson and Dennis Brown, negroes, alleged to have cut Ashton Harris, a 16-year-old white boy, with a razor Saturday night, were arraigned in the first city criminal court Monday morning. Both were held in custody, waiting the result of their alleged act.
Harris is said to be slightly improved. The surgeons at the Charity hospital say he has a fair chance to recover.
The assault made upon Harris occurred at State and Magazine streets.
After the cutting the negroes fled and later they surrendered to the police of the seventh precinct.
They declare they were assaulted by the white boys.
Per Times-Picayune April 25, 1914 Page 5
FOUR CONVICTS SENTENCED
Judge Baker pronounced sentence on four convicted persons in the Criminal District Court Friday.
........ Clement Johnson, a negro boy, who was convicted of cutting Ashton Harris, a white boy, at State and Constance streets some time ago, was given one year.
Per the Times-Picayune 08-05-1914 [excerpt]
E. HORTON HARRIS FIRES BULLET INTO HIS BRAIN
Last year Ashton Harris was attacked by two negroes while in State street with a companion, and his throat was cut. He recovered after lingering near death for some time. The family home is at 6026 Perrier street, but the members of the family were spending the summer near Biloxi, on the Gulf coast.
Per 9/6/1918 WWI Registration card John Ashton Harris lives at 711 Robert St, New Orleans, LA. He is 19, born 9/2/1898, employed as a pipe fitter at DuPont at Jacksonville, Davidson, Tennessee. Nearest relative is Mrs Etta Harris. Description - Medium height, medium build, brown eyes, black hair distinguishing mark is a silver tube in neck.
Per 1920 US Census: 1/5/1920, 1026 Soniat St, Ward 13, New Orleans, LA
Head of household is 50 year old white male widow C. F. Walter, who rents the house. He was born in Louisiana, his parents in the United States. His occupation is laborer in a cotton warehouse. Living with him are his three daughters, all born in Louisiana. 18 year old daughter Alba, is single, as is 17 year old daughter Anita. Neither have jobs. 19 Year old daughter Etta Harris is married to 24 year old Jack Harris, a foreman in a cotton warehouse. Their daughter, C. F. Walter's granddaughter, is 1 year 11 months old Audrey Harris. Jack and Audrey were born in Louisiana, as were their parents.
Per 1930 US Census: 4/14/1930, 1034 Robert Street, Ward 13, 2nd Precinct, New Orleans, LA
[Page 23-A] Head of household is Jack Harris a white male who rents the house for $35 a month. Born in Virginia as were his parents [this should be Louisiana] he is not a veteran, and works as a pressor in a laundry.
[Page 23-B] His wife, 29 year old Etta Harris, who married at age 20, was born in Louisiana of Louisiana parents. Their daughter, 8 year old Audrey Harris, was born in Louisiana, father in Virginia, mother in Louisiana. 63 year old widower, Charles Walters is Etta's father. Etta's sister, Alva Walters, is 26 and single.
Per 1940 US Census: 4/2/1940, 1026 Soniat St, Ward 13, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana
John Harris is the 40 year old white male head of household, born in Louisiana. He and all other members of his household lived in this same Robert street house April 1, 1935. John's education was to 8th grade, and his occupation is owner of a cleaning establishment. For amount of wages received in 1939 when he worked 52 weeks he put 0, but answered yes to having received more than $50 of other than wages. His wife is 38 year old Henrietta Harris, born in Louisiana, finished 1 year of high school, and works as a clerk in the cleaning establishment. She also had no wages in 1939. Their daughter is 21 year old Audrey Harris, single, born in Louisiana, finished 4 years of high school, works as a stenographer for a university, and earned $1,020 in 52 weeks of work in 1939. Audrey was chosen for additional census questions, which included that she did not have a social security number and had no social security withheld from her pay.
Charles F. Walter, John's father-in law, lives with the family. He is 73, widowed, born in Louisiana, finished 8th grade, is a laborer at the cleaning establishment, and earned $200 while working 26 weeks in 1939.
Also living with the family is John's sister-in-law, Albertina W. Walter, 30 years old and single, born in Louisiana, finished 4 years of high school, as works as a clerk in the cleaning establishment, where she earned $260 in 52 weeks or work in 1939.
Per WWII Draft Registration 2/15/1942
John Ashton Harris is 43 years old, born 9/8/1898 in New Orleans, La. He resides at 1034 Robert, New Orleans, Orleans, La., and his phone number is UP 2622 J. He is employed by US Army, Med. Dept., La Garde Hospital, N. O., La. The person who will always know his address is Mrs. J. A. Harris, same address. John is described as white race, 5'10" tall, 203 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, ruddy complexion. He has a scar in left side of neck, and cast in left eye.
Per death notice clipping in Harris family bible:
"HARRIS- On Monday, Jan 8, 1968, at 5:15 o'clock a.m., JOHN ASHTON HARRIS, husband of Henrietta W. Walter, father of Audrey H. Silbernagel, brother of Hazel Mansfield and Earl Harris, also survived by 2 grandchildren.
Relatives and friends of the family, also employees of Comus Cleaners and L & L Cleaners, are invited to attend the funeral. Services from the House of Bultman, St Charles Avenue at Louisiana Ave. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 1968 at 3 o'clock p.m. Interment Lafayette Cemetery No. 1."
Per Social Security death index:
Name:John Harris SSN: 438-48-5531
Last Residence:70115 New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
Born:8 Sep 1898 Died: Jan 1968
State (Year) SSN issued:Louisiana (1952 )
Per Findagrave.com John Ashton Harris
Birth:Sep. 8, 1898
Death:Jan. 8, 1968
Family links:
Spouse:
Henrietta Walter Harris (1896 - 1989)
Burial: Lafayette Cemetery Number #01 New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, USA, Plot: Sq 3: p33-34
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Originally Created by: Alberta Daniels Withrow
Record added: Sep 04, 2005
Find A Grave Memorial# 11680400
I was told he fell ill on a weekend, called the doctor, and they thought he had pneumonia. He died at 1:05 AM monday morning before he could go to the doctor.