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HARRIS CHAPEL CEMETERY
CASS COUNTY TEXAS
Cemetery was read 24—MAR—1995 by Audrey Rankin. Updated
29—OCT—1996 by Gerald Hammick, Charles Steger, Kathryn
McAlexander, Irene Powell, Jane Nunn & Melba Tims.
LOCATION: Take Hwy 161 South from Hughes Springs for 5 miles,
church and cemetery on left.
Texas Historical Commission Marker
Harris Chapel Cemetery
"This area of Cass county was settled in the 1850s. The rural
community became known as Harris Chapel after John T. Harris
and his family came to the area in 1853 and purchased land on
which a Methodist log church and cemetery were located. The
church building was also used as a school house for area
children. The first log church was replaced by a larger wooden
structure near the cemetery in 1859. The Rev. Solomon O'Dell
preached the first sermon in the new church.
"Although there are many unmarked graves in the Harris Chapel
Cemetery some of which may date from an earlier period, the
oldest legible tombstone marks the grave of Zelpha E. Conley
(1839-1859). In 1868 M. G. Harris, son of John T. Harris,
deeded the church and cemetery property to the community. ‘
Harris family graves are enclosed by a wrought iron fence. The
second church was destroyed by a tornado in 1949 and was
replaced by a brick structure in 1953. Mr. Harris' daughter,
Mrs. Johnny Williams is suppose to be 1st person buried here,
unmarked grave.
"ln addition to the graves of many early pioneers, those
interred here include veterans of the Mexican War, the Civil
War, World War I, World War II and Korea. The historical Harris
Chapel Cemetery serves as a reminder of early rural life in
Cass County."
This cemetery is known to be predominantly white.
Beginning at the northwest corner, reading from north to south.