John S. Harris
John Spafford Harris | |
---|---|
Joseph R. West | |
Personal details | |
Born | Truxton, New York | December 18, 1825
Died | January 25, 1906 Butte, Montana | (aged 80)
Resting place | Forestvale Cemetery in Helena, Montana |
Political party | Republican |
John Spafford Harris (December 18, 1825 – January 25, 1906) was an American politician for the state of
Education
Harris attended the common schools,
Career
After the death of his mother, Harris accompanied his father to
In the fall of 1863, traveled to Memphis, Tennessee but found it strictly blockaded by federal authorities. Consequently, he resolved to return home via New Orleans and New York. An accident happened and his boat was detained in Natchez, Mississippi, where he was induced to lease one of the largest cotton plantations in Louisiana. By the end of the American Civil War, he had become one of the biggest planters in Louisiana.[5]
He became increasingly involved in politics by organizing local freedmen into clubs and instructing them about their new political rights. As a member of the Republican Party, he took a moderate course, and was seen by the New Orleans Picayune as "one of the mildest and most temperate Republicans", although the New Orleans Republican noted that he was an abolitionist. He was sworn in as a state senator on June 29, 1868. Nine days later, he was nominated to serve as a US senator for the short term ending in 1871. He succeeded Judah P. Benjamin who had withdrawn from the Senate previous to the war.[6] His nomination was confirmed by both houses.[7] He completed his term on March 3, 1871.
Harris was appointed surveyor general for the state of
Death
Harris died in Butte, Montana on January 25, 1906,[9] and is buried in Helena, Montana.[10]
References
- ^ "Harris, John Spafford". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ Howard J. Jones, "Biographical Sketches of Members of the 1868 Louisiana State Senate," The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association, vol. 19, no. 1 (winter, 1978), 80-82.
- ^ Howard J. Jones, "Biographical Sketches of Members of the 1868 Louisiana State Senate," The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association, vol. 19, no. 1 (winter, 1978), 80-82.
- ^ History of Montana, 1739-1885 (Chicago: Warner, Beers, and Co., 1885), 1216.
- ^ History of Montana, 1739-1885 (Chicago: Warner, Beers, and Co., 1885), 1216.
- ^ History of Montana, 1739-1885 (Chicago: Warner, Beers, and Co., 1885), 1216.
- ^ Howard J. Jones, "Biographical Sketches of Members of the 1868 Louisiana State Senate," The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association, vol. 19, no. 1 (winter, 1978), 80-82.
- ^ "Harris, John Spafford". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ "Harris, John Spafford". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ Howard J. Jones, "Biographical Sketches of Members of the 1868 Louisiana State Senate," The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association, vol. 19, no. 1 (winter, 1978), 80-82.
External links
- United States Congress. "John S. Harris (id: H000246)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.