MONUMENT FOR WWI SOLDIER BURIED IN BRENHAM FOUND IN NAVASOTA, BROUGHT TO PRAIRIE LEA CEMETERY
A small monument honoring a World War I soldier buried in Brenham has arrived at Prairie Lea Cemetery after being discovered in Navasota.
recently transported from Navasota to Brenham.
The monument, belonging to Private Joseph J. Harris, was reported to Grimes County VFW Post 4006 after being located on a local property. After speaking with the property owner, it was determined the marker had been in a creek for at least 30 years.
Brenham VFW Post 7104 Commander Ben Seeker said while there are theories as to why the monument has been in Navasota all of this time, the truth is not clear-cut.
Written on the marker is Harris’ name, his division, his date of birth – June 25, 1893 – and the day he passed – June 12, 1918. At Prairie Lea Cemetery, markers like these are laid out along the central path for dozens of other Washington County veterans who died in World War I.
the main path at Prairie Lea Cemetery.
Harris is buried in B’Nai Abraham Cemetery at Prairie Lea along with Sergeant Sam L. Harris, who is believed to be his brother. However, while both have headstones at their gravesite, only Sam had a marker. The style of engravings on Private Harris’ marker also matches what is on the marker for Sergeant Harris.
Seeker said the property owner in Navasota did not want to move the monument until it could be confirmed with a family member of Private Harris that it was ok to do so. According to Seeker, a relative living in California learned about the marker and informed the VFW they had visited Harris’ gravesite, giving the go-ahead for the marker to be moved to Brenham.
There may be more questions than answers for how the marker ended up in Navasota, but Seeker is relieved to be able to provide some closure.
The next step is for the Prairie Lea Cemetery board to determine where to place Private Harris’ marker. Possible locations include by the center flagpole or right next to Sergeant Harris.
Seeker hopes to hold a small program in the future to commemorate bringing the monument home.
According to Seeker, there are approximately 43 Washington County soldiers who died during World War I. Of those, three do not have markers at the cemetery: Ignac Jankowski, Lee Murski and Walter Nieswiadony.