Biographical Summaries:

"...HARRIS, Emer (1781-1869), farmer, carpenter. Born at Cambridge, Washington County, New York. Elder brother of Martin Harris. Married Roxana Peas, 1802. Joined the Latter-day Saints and moved to Kirtland, Ohio, 1831. Proselyting in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, with Martin Harris, 1832. Worked on Kirtland and Nauvoo temples. Member of Nauvoo Legion. Migrated to Utah, 1852. Appointed patriarch, 1853. Presided over high priests at Provo, Utah, 1855. Died at Logan, Cache County, Utah. [PJSv1]..."

"...HARRIS, Emer (1781-1869), was born May 29, 1781, in Cambridge, New York, to Nathan Harris and Rhoda Lapham. Brother of Martin Harris. Married Roxana Peas on July 22, 1802, and they had six children. After her death, he married Deborah Lott on June 16, 1819, and they had four children. After her death, he married Parna Chapell on Mar. 29, 1826, and they had four children. Obtained the first bound copy of the Book of Mormon. Was baptized in Feb. 10, 1831, and was ordained an elder and a high priest that same year. Preached with Simeon Carter. Afflicted with rheumatism in his hip. McLellin visited him in Florence, Ohio. Carpenter. Died in Utah in 1869. [McLellin]..."

"...HARRIS, Emer. Son of Nathan Harris and Rhoda Lapham. Born 29 May 1781 in Cambridge, Washington County, New York. Married Roxana Peas 22 July 1802. Six known children: Selina, Elathan, Alvira, Sophronia, Nathan, and Ruth. Married Deborah Lott 16 January 1819. Four known children: Emer, Martin Henderson, Harriet, and Denison. Married Parna Chapel 29 March 1826. Four known children: Fauna, Joseph, Alma, and Charles. Residing in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, 1820. Baptized 10 February 1831. Moved to Kirtland, Ohio, 1831. Ordained elder before June 1831. Appointed member of committee to obtain money for Prophet to continue inspired translation of Bible 25 October 1831. Ordained high priest 25 October 1831. Appointed by revelation to preach gospel with Simeon Carter 25 January 1832. Mission to Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, with Martin Harris 1832. Located in Huron County, Ohio, about December 1833. Worked on Kirtland Temple 1835. In spring of 1836 moved to farm three miles from Kirtland. Traveled to Pennsylvania in spring of 1838 to receive pay for farm there. Returned July 1838. Left for Missouri 5 September 1838. Arrived in Far West, Missouri, about 12 October 1838. Forced to leave Caldwell County 17 October 1838. Arrived in Adams County, Illinois, about 22 December 1838. Carpenter by trade. Purchased property about three miles northeast of Nauvoo 1840. Moved family to new farm in spring of 1841. Member of Nauvoo Legion. Married Polly Chamberlain 11 January 1846. Received endowment 30 January 1846. Moved to Utah 1850. Married Martha Allen 10 September 1850. Located in Provo. Appointed to be ordained patriarch 8 October 1853. Appointed to preside over high priests in Provo area 5 September 1855. Died 28 November 1869 in Logan, Cache County, Utah. [Cook]..."

SOURCE: BYU Biographical Registries for the letter "H". Retrived from https://byustudies.byu.edu/Resources/BioAlpha/MBRegisterH.aspx

Biographical Summary:

Descendants of Pioneers Gather at Ogden Reunion

Descendants of Emer Harris and Martin Harris met Thursday in reunion at Lorin Farr Park. More than 100 persons were present, representatives of the family coming from Weber County, Salt Lake and Provo, and from different points in Idaho as far north as St Anthony. N.J Harris of Ogden conducted the exercises. An interesting program was prepared, several speakers giving a history of the different branches of the family. Leander S Harris told of the coming of their ancestors in the ship Lyon in 1630. They settled in New England and assisted in the founding of Rhode Island, one member of the family being governor, while numerous others had been members of the legislature and had held other offices in New England besides being prominent in financial and industrial affairs. Nathan Harris moved into the state of New York near where the LDS church was organized and three of the family joined the church. Meets Prophet Martin Harris met the Prophet Joseph Smith, furnished him with means and assisted him in translating the Book of Mormon afterwards becoming of the three witnesses to that book. Later he signed a contract with Egbert Grandin for the publication of the first edition of 5000 copies for the sum of $3000. He sold his farm at Palmyra to obtain money to pay for the publication. He sacrificed all of his property, his wife left him and he gave up everything for the church it was declared. Later he was called with the other two witnesses of the Book of Mormon to select the first quorum of the twelve apostles which they did. Martin Harris remained at Kirtland until 1876 when he was brought a Utah by Edward Stevenson under the direction of President Brigham Young. He preached in the tabernacle at Salt Lake on the first Sunday after his arrival. He died five years later at Clarkston in Cache County. A monument was erected to his memory by the church, and was dedicated under the direction of President Heber J Grant on July 10, 1925, the fiftieth anniversary of his death. His family had preceded him to Utah, where they scattered through Cache County and into southern Idaho. Representatives of the family were present at the reunion..."

Emer Harris Career

"...Emer Harris, a brother of Martin Harris on hearing of the Book of Mormon went from his home in Pennsylvania to Palmyra where the book was on the press to investigate it. The first bound copy of the book after it came from the press was presented to him. He returned to Pennsylvania and the following February made another trip to Palymyra to make further investigations. He was converted, ordained an elder and started to preach. He passed several years as a missionary one year being passed with this brother Martin as a companion. N.J Harris gave the principal points in the history of his grandfather Emer Harris and read from the original record kept by him and the history of Martin Harris his great uncle. He also exhibited a copy of the first edition of the Book of Mormon which he has in his possession and told of his visit to the Martin Harris farm at Palmyra, the proceeds of which was paid for the publication of the first edition of that book. Early Pioneers Emer Harris and family came to Utah in 1850 his sons going to different parts of the state. Joseph M Harris was one of the early settlers of Ogden. Martin H Harris was the pioneer settler of Harrisville. Alma Harris was a pioneer in Cache County. Dennison L Harris who pioneered in "Dixie" and other parts of the state, finally settled at Monroe, where he acted as bishop until the time of his death. Charles Harris also pioneers in different parts of the state settling at Junction, Piute County where he remained until his death. Martin H Harris went on the Salmon River mission and in his history detailed the trouble with the Indians until they were finally compelled to send to Salt Lake for help. Two men were able to make their way safely back to Salt Lake when help was sent with instructions to abandon the mission. During that trip Bailey Lake of Ogden was killed by the Indians and Charles Harris helped carry him from field of battle. All the members were prominent in the Indian wars and were active in assisting the pioneers across the plains. Hyrum S Harris, a son of Dennison L Harris, Belle Harris Berry, a son of Charles Harris, Adolph Harris, a son of Joseph M Harris and Russell K Harris, a grandson of Martin Harris also spoke at the gathering..."

SOURCE: 13 Aug 1926 , Ogden Standard Examiner.