Melvin Blanchard Harris
Melvin Blanchard Harris was born in Deerfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts, on 11 January 1914. His parents were James M. Harris, who had been born at Clarksburg about 1863, and Ethel M. Blanchard of Greenfield. They had married in 1910, when his father was 47 and his mother 22. His middle name was his mother's maiden name. His father died in 1939.
On 4 September 1940 Melvin married Gladys Foote at Brattleboro, Vermont, just across the state line. Gladys had been born on 10 February 1921, so she was nineteen. They made their home in Deerfield.
Their daughter, Andrea J. Harris, was born in Deerfield in 1948. Her memorial records that three infant brothers died before her. One of them, an infant son, died in June 1949 and lies in the family plot.
Melvin died on 25 May 1986, at age 72. He is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Deerfield, in Plot 259, under a flat marker reading "Melvin B. Harris, Jan. 11, 1914, May 25, 1986". His parents are in the same plot, and Gladys was buried there in 1995.
Parents
Ethel M. Harris (1888-1970)
James M. Harris (1863-1939)
Children
Sources
Andrea J. Harris Chase (1948-2024), Gill Center Cemetery, Gill, Franklin County, Massachusetts; obituary transcribed on Find a Grave memorial 287149426
Proves: Andrea, born in Deerfield in 1948, was predeceased by her parents Melvin B. Harris and Gladys (Foote) Harris and by three infant brothers.
Melvin Blanchard Harris (11 Jan 1914 - 25 May 1986), Laurel Hill Cemetery, Deerfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts, Plot #259; Find a Grave memorial 73147816
Proves: Melvin Blanchard Harris of Deerfield, husband of Gladys Foote Harris, was born 11 January 1914, died 25 May 1986, and had an infant son who died in 1949.
If Melvin Blanchard Harris is in your family, start your own tree.
Researched October 2026. Cite: Heirology, "Melvin Blanchard Harris (1914-1986)", https://heirology.com/ancestors/melvin-blanchard-harris-1914-1986-ddbbc0.