When Harris was about ten years old, his parents, Thomas Lacy and Ellen Camp Greer, decided to move their family and large cattle herd back to Utah from Texas, where they had moved to twenty years prior to serve a mission for the LDS Church. On the way they stopped in northeastern Arizona and like it so well they decided to stay. Thomas bought the French Ranch from Leon Dubois for $350 and it was known as Greer Ranch thereafter. He built the family a lovely home with a rock house out front to keep food cool (in the days before refrigeration). The book Texas and the Greers records:
"The Greer Ranch became one of the finest cattle ranches in Arizona. It was a beautiful place with several springs. They were able to raise all kinds of vegetables, strawberries, and watermelon.
Their great herds of cattle roamed the hills. They had many fine horses and a beautiful home where high officials of Church and government were entertained. Rich and poor alike were made welcome, and they were known everywhere for their fine hospitality."
Unfortunately, Harris' father was only able to enjoy Greer Ranch for a few years. He died at the Ranch on July 30, 1881, at the age of 55 after suffering from erysipelas, a bacterial infection of the skin.
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| a photo of the Ranch taken in 1979 |
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| a Google Satellite image of the Greer Ranch today |
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