Merriman Colbert Harris

Merriman Colbert Harris (July 9, 1846 – May 8, 1921) was a Missionary Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, elected in 1904, who was active in late nineteenth and early twentieth century Japan.

Birth and family Merriman was born July 9, 1846, in Beallsville, Ohio, the son of Colbert and Catherine Elizabeth (Crupper) Harris. Merriman married Flora L. Best on October 23, 1873, in Meadville, Pennsylvania. They had two daughters, Florence and Elizabeth.

Military service and education Merriman served for three years as a soldier in the 12th Ohio Cavalry in the American Civil War (1863–65), attaining the rank of corporal. Following the end of the war, he attended the Washington Academy in Ohio, and the Harlem Springs Seminary. He then attended Scio College, earning the B.A. degree (1873) and the M.A. degree (1877) from Allegheny College.

Ordained ministry and missionary service Merriman entered the ministry of the Pittsburgh Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1869, serving as a pastor and a missionary. He was sent to Japan in 1873 and was stationed at Hakodate on the northern island of Hokkaido. During his first stay in Japan, his converts included Kanzo Uchimura, Inazo Nitobe, and Akira Sato.

Flora Harris helped to found the Iai Joshi Women's Academy in Hakodate. She also carried out translation work, as well as writing over 30 hymns. Save Korea, Quarterly-Centennial Documents, 1910. Contributor, Japan Proverbs. Statement in Competent Witnesses on Korea as a Mission Field, Korea Documents, with others.