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Augustus Harris was born in the county of Rensselaer on the 17th day of July, 1776. He was the son of Dr. Nicholas Harris, with whom he pursued the study of medicine until he was licensed by the Hon. John Lansing, chief justice of the Supreme court of the state of New York, on the 4th day of August, 1800. He commenced practice in the town of Bethlehem, in Albany county, in 1803, where he remained for fourteen years, when he removed to Van Buren in Onondaga county, where he continued in the profession until 1821, when he turned his attention chiefly to the pursuit of agriculture. Dr. Harris was one of the original members of the County Medical Society, and was present at its first meeting. He was then
in his early manhood, full of strength and zeal, with life before him.
Half a century later, when in 1856 the Society advanced to its semi-centennial celebration, a retrospective glance of its history was taken, and a knowledge of those who first -organized it was sought. It was found that Augustus Harris still survived, in the eighty-first year of his age. The feelings of his youth were revived as he thought of the event in which on account of "age and the infirmities attending, he could not venture so far from home," but he sent, in a clearly written letter, the assurance of his interests in the occasion. A few months later, on the fifth of April, 1857, the good old man slept with his fathers. He was attended in his last illness by Dr. Daniel T. Jones, of Baldwinsville, who a few years later was laid to rest in the same cemetery.
Dr. Harris passed the evening of his life in the enjoyment of every comfort, which had accrued as the reward of his industry. He was a man of genuine honesty and benevolence.
