Early Pioneers of Magrath 1900 - 1905
Carlos Vivian (Charlie) Harris & Minerva Thomas 27 May 2022
Carlos (Charlie) Harris (33) and Minerva Thomas came to Magrath in 1903 from Lehi, Utah. Charlie saw this as a land of opportunity, farming SW of the village. The Harris’ brought their six children, with another five born later. Although arriving after the main irrigation canal had been constructed, there was still plenty of pioneering work to do. Minerva at first lived in a home with no running water and only a coal stove for heat. Minerva was known as a great cook, her cinnamon buns, puddings, and pies being especially tasty. Charlie, interested in music, helped organize the town’s first brass band. He was a peddler (rural salesman) for the Raleigh Company, using horse and buggy to do so for 10 years. Later in life, Charlie was a caretaker for the Magrath 2nd Ward chapel and took care of the small, memorial town park (cnr Main & 1st Ave S.), where the post office now stands. He lived to be 100 years old. (Sources: Magrath Museum, FamilySearch).
Carlos V. (Charlie) Harris family (L-R): back—Raymond, Iva, Ervin, Leroy, Darrel, Zelpha; front—George Leonard, Warren S., Carlos Vivian (father), Rolla D., Minerva Thomas, Zella Mae, Thomas Earl.
Carlos Vivian (Charlie) Harris & Minerva Thomas 27 May 2022
Carlos (Charlie) Harris (33) and Minerva Thomas came to Magrath in 1903 from Lehi, Utah. Charlie saw this as a land of opportunity, farming SW of the village. The Harris’ brought their six children, with another five born later. Although arriving after the main irrigation canal had been constructed, there was still plenty of pioneering work to do. Minerva at first lived in a home with no running water and only a coal stove for heat. Minerva was known as a great cook, her cinnamon buns, puddings, and pies being especially tasty. Charlie, interested in music, helped organize the town’s first brass band. He was a peddler (rural salesman) for the Raleigh Company, using horse and buggy to do so for 10 years. Later in life, Charlie was a caretaker for the Magrath 2nd Ward chapel and took care of the small, memorial town park (cnr Main & 1st Ave S.), where the post office now stands. He lived to be 100 years old. (Sources: Magrath Museum, FamilySearch).
Carlos V. (Charlie) Harris family (L-R): back—Raymond, Iva, Ervin, Leroy, Darrel, Zelpha; front—George Leonard, Warren S., Carlos Vivian (father), Rolla D., Minerva Thomas, Zella Mae, Thomas Earl.
Carlos V. (Charlie) Harris family (L-R): back—Raymond, Iva, Ervin, Leroy, Darrel, Zelpha; front—George Leonard, Warren S., Carlos Vivian (father), Rolla D., Minerva Thomas, Zella Mae, Thomas Earl.
