Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
John M. M. "Jack" Harris

John M. M. "Jack" Harris

Male 1894 - 1977  (83 years)

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  • Name John M. M. "Jack" Harris 
    Born 12 Aug 1894  Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    Gender Male 
    Interesting house, character 
    Name Jack Harris 
    Residence 237 Fountain St. N., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Constructed about 1875 - vertical board and batten
    237 Fountain St. N., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario
    237 Fountain St. N., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-52739 
    Died Dec 1977  Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Buried Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Person ID I52739  Generations
    Last Modified 26 Feb 2024 

    Father William David Harris,   b. 7 Mar 1863, Hawkesville, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 Feb 1925, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 61 years) 
    Mother Carrie Marshall,   b. 1859, Arthur Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 6 Aug 1895  (Age 36 years) 
    Family ID F13599  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    Harris,JohM.M.Jack-0001-Facebook2018.jpg
    Harris,JohM.M.Jack-0001-Facebook2018.jpg

  • Notes 
    • Known as Preston's undisputed "town character" he was born on the Harris family home on Fountain Street. He spent most of his life in the house and worked at the Doon Railway Station and Post Office and then as a labourer at the Preston Cemetery for thirty years before retiring in 1954. He was described as a real character, good natured and friendly. He wore flamboyant clothing which included a flashing red belt light. He was a self taught mechanic and inventor.

      Cambridge Mosaic , Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [abbreviated snippet from original text in book]

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      Facebook comments 2016

      "Wonderful, fond memories I had as a child of a very sweet man. My parents always treated him with such respect no matter what. The good, old days when being different was ok."

      "I remember when the Queen was coming and they wanted his home to look nice so one of the Service Clubs donated time and material to make it nice for him! Jack was a wonderful Man and so interesting and fun as he traveled the bus routes. My boys where little at the time and he would play magic tricks with them on the bus and have the whole lot of us cracking up with laughter! Jack Harris was a brilliant man!"


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      Colorful Preston Resident Found Dead in His Home

      One of the city's more colorful and well-known citizens, Jack Harris, died at his Fountain Street home, Saturday. He was 83. A neighbor found Mr. Harris dead after investigating the lack of smoke from a chimney in the Harris home. Known as "Jack" to many Preston and area residents, Mr. Harris was a popular and beloved figure along King Street to many youngsters. His friendliness and humorous antics were a daily occurrence along Preston's main street. He was immediately recognizable by his flamboyant dress, complete with flowers and flashing red belt-light.

      Residents of the community, including the Preston Hespeler Rotary Club and Preston Kinsmen Club, showed their feelings for Mr. Harris earlier this year. When neighbors complained he was living in a sub-standard dwelling, the clubs launched a project to renovate the Harris residence. The home contained many of Mr. Harris' inventions. He lived in the home most of his life and according to several sources he was a brilliant electrical engineer at one time. Funeral arrangements will be announced later by Barthel-Stager Funeral Home, 566 Queenston Rd.

      Cambridge Daily Reporter Dec. 12, 1977

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      JOHN (JACK) HARRIS

      When James Thompson retired as station-agent and postmaster in Doon about 1912 William Harris, son of David Harris who had raised in Doon in the 1860, was appointed. He was a widower with one daughter Madge and a son John(Jack). His sister kept house for them. The daughter died shortly after coming to Doon. Jack went to high school for a short time and then spent his days helping his father about the station. He loved to invent things, some practical, some not. He never went out to work and after his father remarried he and his sister moved to Preston and lived with David Harris.

      Jack studied the velocity of the wind; fitted the station with electric bells so he wouldn't make trips downstairs when he was busy upstairs. He painted on glass, and a windmill for charging his radio battery and various other things. These things kept him busy but he never turned any of them into money, Since his aunt Annie and his grandfather died he lives alone in the house near the top of Kress Hill, Preston. He is a congenial character and is at present enjoying good health.

      Tweedsmuir History Doon and Blair Branch

  • Sources 
    1. [S34] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Blair CC#4501 Internet Link.
      Harris / John M.M. Harris / 1894-1977 / a friend to all

    2. [S145] Census - ON, Grey - 1901, Keppel Sub-District Number: C-9 Family Number: 90 Page: 10.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 12 Aug 1894 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - - 237 Fountain St. N., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Dec 1977 - Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth