Charles Arthur Harris.
Charles Arthur Harris
1868-1943
Charles Harris was a farmers’ agent in Katanning and was born at Loughton, Essex, England, on September 1, 1868, the son of Mr. Martin Harris. He was educated Loughton and, when fourteen years of age, began his apprenticeship to the bakery and confectionery trade under Mr. George Mills, Royal Baker, of Chelmsford, with whom he remained for eight years.
After a subsequent period at Bournemouth, where he occupied a position as cashier in a store, Mr. Harris came to Western Australia and, “carrying his swag” from Perth to Albany in 1890, he was successful in securing a position as confectioner.
Shortly afterwards, however, he gave this up to come to Katanning where, for a year, he was in the employ of Messrs. F. and C. Piesse, taking charge of the bake-house in connection with their business.
The Harris store after it was purchased by William Rogers
He next established a bakery business on his own account and conducted it successfully for about
twelve years, adding various other departments as opportunity occurred. These included dairy produce and groceries and, as his operations expanded he erected a large building, which had the distinction of being the first two storied store in the district.
Mr. Harris subsequently disposed of his business to William John Rogers and entered farming pursuits, having taken up land in the district. However, due to failing health, he was eventually compelled to part with this property. He then established himself at Katanning as a farmers agent.
In 1909, Mr. Harris was elected a member of the Katanning Roads Board, succeeding Mr. Arnold E. Piesse, who had resigned owing to increasing parliamentary work. He was a member of the Masonic craft and held office in this Order.
In 1891 he married Catherine Jackson Leggat, of Glasgow, Scotland, (26 Nov 1867 – 9 Apr 1902 aged 34) whose husband, Walter William Ilett, had been killed in a work mishap at Albany port leaving her with two young children (Mary Eva Sinclair (1891 – ?) and Alice Maud Stronach (1897-1953). She died in 1902, leaving Charles with three sons, Charles Russell Harris (1894–1947), Alan Harris (1897–1953) and William Hervey Harris (1899–1966) and the two daughters. In 1903 he married Jessie Boag Leggat (1873–1953), the sister of his late wife.