Agnes Ellen Harris (Brief Biography)

Agnes Ellen Harris, a native of Cedartown, Georgia, became a pioneer in the field of women's education. Harris graduated from Georgia Women's College, obtained her teaching certificate, and then attended Oread Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts. From there, she returned to her home state of Georgia, where she taught Home Economics for five years. She was a Charter Member of the American Home Economics Association, organized in 1908. She would later serve as national vice-president of that organization. She continued to further her own education, obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree at Columbia University in 1910. She later moved to Florida, where she continued to work in forefront of home-economics education. In a 1917 report, she was mentioned as President of the Florida Educational Association and as Dean of the School of Home Economics in Tallahassee. She was also a State Agent for Home Demonstration Work, teaching rural women about nutrition, canning, and selling produce. As part of her state work, she organized "Tomato Clubs," which later grew into Florida's 4-H club for girls. In 1919 she moved to Texas for a year, but returned in 1920, settling in Washington, D.C. There, she worked as a Field Agent for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, while completing her Master of Arts Degree at Columbia. Upon accepting a new position as Dean of Women at Auburn University in 1922, she moved to Alabama. She remained at Auburn until 1927, when she became Dean of Women at the University of Alabama. During her tenure there, she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alabama, and became head of the Home Economics Department. Harris died in Tuscaloosa in 1952. She was posthumously inducted into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame in 1972.

Wedding Announcement: Professor William Thomas Garrett and Miss Mary Adela "Della" Harris (Cedartown, Polk, Georgia), 1907

Database/Library: GALILEO (GeorgiA LIbrary LEarning Online)
Newspaper/Media: Cedartown Standard
Place of Publication: Cedartown, Polk, Georgia
Date of Publication: 27 June 1907
Page/Column: 3 / 3 (top)
Title: "Harris-Garrett."
Subtitle 1: "A Popular Cedartown Couple Wed Yesterday Afternoon."
Subtitle 2: "Miss Della Harris and Prof. W. T. Garrett United at Presbyterian Church̶—Beautiful Wedding Scene."

[Extract]:

Bride: Miss Mary Adela "Della" Harris
Groom: Prof. William Thomas Garrett
Date of Marriage: "yesterday" [est. 26 June 1907]
Place of Wedding: Presbyterian Church [concluded, in/near Cedartown, Polk, Georgia]
Decorations: ferns; electric arbor over altar ("entwined with asparagus and maiden's hair"); flowers; wedding bell; two similar arches (main aisle);

Music: "Love me and the word is mine" (Mrs. Geo. S. Harris, singing)

Ushers: W. B. Coleman, M. O. Buiss, E. E. Lindsey, P. C. Harris, S. P. Holloway, W. J. Harris, Geo. S. Harris.

Bridesmaids: Mrs. Estelle Hardwick, Agnes Harris.

Matron of Honor: Mrs. W. J. Harris.

Maid of Honor: Miss Elizabeth Harris (sister of the bride).

Best Man: Dr. H. M. Hall.

Bride's Escort: Prof. J. C. Harris (brother).

Minister: Rev. Geo. E. Benedict.

Service: Episcopal Church Service.

Wedding March (Mrs. B. F. Sims, renderer).

Usher's Attire: Dark blue coats, white flannel trousers, tan gloves.

Groom and Best Man's Attire: "conventional frock suits."

Capt. P. C. Harris's Attire: [Officer's Dress Uniform], U.S. Army.

Bridesmaids' Attire: "white langere princess gowns, trimmed in viaenciennes lace, with bouquets of enchantress carnations."

Matron of Honor's Attire: "her own wedding gown, a lovely Parisian creation of chantilly lace, hand- embroidered."

Maid of Honor's Attire: "blue Juse imported gown, trimmed in valenciennes lacemotfis [lacemotifs]"; "shower bouquet of enchantress carnations."

Bridal Gown: "beautiful gown of imported Pena gauze, hand - embroidered over taffeta and chiffon en train, with the bridal veil of tulle....shower bouquet of brides roses and lilies of the valley."

Reception: at "home of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Harris on Park avenue"; "elaborate and elegant refreshments."

Gifts: "beautiful and expensive."

Honeymoon: (via Seaboard train): Mt. Airy and Tallulah Falls

[Separate item, same page and column]: "Mrs. Chas. Hooks Molton, of Birmingham, arrived yesterday to attend the wedding of her cousin, Miss Della Harris, to Prof. Garrett."
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[Full Citation]: "Harris-Garrett," *Cedartown Standard* [Cedartown, Polk, Georgia], 27 Jun. 1907, pg. 3, http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/ngnewspapers/id:csn1907-0223 (accessed 23 Jan. 2017).