RAYMOND C. HARRIS – The homely qualities of loyalty to one’s employers, and steady, even-minded performance of duties year in and year out, a keen desire to be of service and useful in the position assigned them by birth and circumstances with no after thought but a cheerful and confident prospect into the future, these very simple yet not all too frequent traits of character which have sped on many good men slowly but surely-like the sailing vessel drives before the calm trade winds-to the desired goal, have also helped Raymond C. Harris, president of the Textile Roll and Supply Company, to attain his present position.
Mr. Harris is a native of Lawrence, Massachusetts, born November 24, 1884, a son of William O. Harris, treasurer of the Rodney Hunt Manufacturing Company, and of Elizabeth (Genmell) Harris, who died March 30, 1924, at the age of ninety-seven years. Mr. Harris came to Orange in March, 1906, from Malden, Massachusetts, and received his education in the schools of Malden and Boston. After completing his studies he entered the employ of the Rodney Hunt Manufacturing Company, of which his father was, treasurer. Gradually he rose to the position of secretary of that concern and continued with them for seventeen years, having in addition charge of the Boston office. In May, 1919, Mr. Harris established the Textile Roll and Supply Company at Orange, of which he is now president. This firm manufactures all machinery used in the textile trade. In politics Mr. Harris is an independent, but he really keeps aloof from anything connected with it; in religion he is a member of the Congregational Church. His fraternal associations include membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has been through all the branches, and for four year* has been a delegate to the Grand Convention.
On May 29, 1903, he married, at Boxford, Massachusetts, Florence Killam, and they are the parents of ten children:
- Pearl Madeline, born February 19, 1904.
- Donald Killam, born June 29, 1905.
- William Clinton, born April 19, 1907.
- Raymond Elbridge, born June 4, 1908.
- Charles Warren, born November 14, 1909.
- Virginia Florence, born June 8, 1913.
- Richard Wilbur, born May 29, 1916.
- Robert E., born September 5, 1918.
- Geraldine, born August 6, 1920.
- Bertha Loualla, born May 5, 1922.