Paul P. Harris, founder of Rotary International and its president emeritus, died yesterday in his home, Comely Bank, at 10856 Longwood Dr. He was 78, and had been in failing health in recent years. He was a lawyer.

Mr. Harris founded Rotary in 1905, and since then had seen it grow from a single club with a few members in Chicago to 5,638 clubs in 75 countries with more than 259,000 members.

A spirit of loneliness influenced Mr. Harris in part to create the world-wide organization. He was born in Racine, Wis., but reared in Vermont. He was educated at Princeton and the University of Iowa, receiving his law degree at Iowa in 1891.

Beginning of Rotary

In 1896 Mr. Harris settled in Chicago and began the practice of law. One day in 1900 he had dinner with a lawyer friend, and later the two strolled thru the neighborhood, where his colleague introduced Mr. Harris to several neighborhood merchants as his friends.

Mr. Harris decided to organize a club of representative business and professional men in fellowship and friendship. Three of his law clients, Silvester Schiele, Gustavus Loehr, and Harry Ruggles*, joined with him. [Along with Hiram Shorey. T.N.] They met periodically in the old Mme. Galli restaurant, often called the birthplace of Rotary, where over the dinner table they discussed plans for the club.

[*"Originally from Michigan, Ruggles was a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and joined Rotary at its second meeting. He was treasurer of the Chicago club during its first year, president from 1908 to 1910, and a Rotary director from 1912 to 1913. He is known for having introduced singing to Rotary club meetings. His printing company, H.L. Ruggles & Co., printed the first issue of The National Rotarian and the first Rotary songbook. He died on 23 October 1959, an honorary member of seven clubs in addition to his home club, the Rotary Club of Chicago". From this website. T.N.]

Other Clubs Formed

On Feb. 23, 1905, Rotary was born, and was so-called because its members met in rotation at their several places of business. The idea spread, and similar clubs were formed in other cities. Essence of Rotary's purpose was and is service; high standards in business, professional and community life.

Mr. Harris is survived by his widow, the former Miss Jean Thompson [sic] of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday in the Morgan Park Congregational church, 11153 S. Hoyne Ave. Interment will be in Mount Hope cemetery.

Published in the January 28, 1947 edition of the Chicago (IL) Tribune
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1870 United States Federal Census

Name: Paul Harris
Age in 1870: 2
Birth Year: 1868
Birthplace: Wisconsin
Home in 1870: Racine Ward 1, Racine, Wisconsin
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Racine
Household Members:
Name Age
Fanny Horax 60
Susan Cavell 39
Chas Bryan 35
Cornelia Harris 27
Josephine Horax 18
George Harris 18
Cecil Harris 3
Paul Harris 2
Nina Harris 1/12


1880 United States Federal Census

Name: Paul P. Harris
Age: 12
Birth Year: 1868
Birthplace: Wisconsin
Home in 1880: Danby and Fair Haven and Hubbardton, Rutland, Vermont
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: George H. Harris
Father's Birthplace: Vermont
Mother's Name: Corenelia C. Harris
Mother's Birthplace: New York
Occupation: Attends School
Household Members:
Name Age
Susan Cavell 48
George H. Harris 38
Corenelia C. Harris 38
Cecil B. Harris 13 [Cecil Bryan Harris, b. 07/12/1866 in Wisconsin; d. 06/25/1929 in Dallas, Texas; body removed to Chicago, Il.]
Paul P. Harris 12
Nina Harris 10
Guy H. Harris 1 [Guy Howard Harris, b. 09/06/1878]