John T. Harris
John Thomas Harris | |
---|---|
William Milnes, Jr. | |
Succeeded by | Thomas Whitehead |
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Rockingham County | |
In office 1863–1865 Alongside James Kenney | |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 9th district | |
In office March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861 | |
Preceded by | John Letcher |
Succeeded by | Rees Bowen |
Personal details | |
Born | Browns Gap, Virginia | May 8, 1823
Died | October 14, 1899 Harrisonburg, Virginia | (aged 76)
Political party | Independent Democrat, Democrat |
Profession | Politician, Lawyer, Judge |
John Thomas Harris (May 8, 1823 – October 14, 1899) was a nineteenth-century politician, lawyer and judge from Virginia.[1] He was often referred to after the American Civil War as "Judge Harris", even after his election to Congress. He was the first cousin of John Hill.
Early and family life
Born in Browns Gap, Virginia, Harris completed academic studies and studied law.
Career
Admitted to the bar in 1845, Harris began his legal practice in
He won election as an Independent Democrat to the United States House of Representatives in 1858, serving from 1859 to 1861. He ran for reelection, but the seat was terminated from Congress due to Virginia's secession from the Union on April 17, 1861. Harris initially vehemently opposed secession, including in a large political rally in Rockbridge, but George Deneale took the opposite position, and Harris later lobbied voters to elect delegates who would allow a referendum on secession, which passed nearly unanimously in the county.[2]
American Civil War
Rockbridge voters elected Harris to the Virginia House of Delegates, and served from 1863 to 1865.
Return to Congress
After the war's end, Harris became judge of the twelfth judicial circuit of Virginia from 1866 to 1869. He became known for his "frank and manly" acceptance of the war's results, including his charge to the grand jury on May 11, 1867, exhorting members to do their duty "without fear or favor."[3]
Upon Virginia's adopting a new Constitution which forbad slavery and thus allowed its readmission to the Union in 1869, and restoration of civil rights to Confederate officials, Harris ran for the House of Representatives at a special election held in July 1869, but lost.
The following year, 1870, voters sent him back to the U.S. Congress as a
Harris chaired the
Harris served as chairman of the
Death and legacy
He died in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on October 14, 1899, and was interred there in Woodbine Cemetery.[5] His papers are held in the special collections division of the James Madison University library.[6]
Electoral history
- 1870; Harris was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives unopposed.
- 1872; Harris was re-elected with 61.79% of the vote, defeating Independent Charles T. O'Ferrall.
- 1874; Harris was re-elected with 73.6% of the vote, defeating Republican John F. Lewis and Independents John F. Early and O'Ferrall.
- 1876; Harris was re-elected with 73.28% of the vote, defeating Republican Everett W. Early.
- 1878; Harris was re-elected with 56.46% of the vote, defeating Conservative John Paul.
References
- ^ CongBio|H000247
- ^ C.E. May, Life under Four Flags: in North River Basin of Virginia (Bridgewater: McClure Press 1976); pp. 381-384
- ^ John W. Wayland, A History of Rockingham County, Virginia (Ruebush-Elkins Company, 1912) pp. 161-163
- ISBN 9789004384071.
- ^ "John Thomas Harris (1823-1899) - Find A Grave Memorial".
- ^ http://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/manuscripts/2025Harris.aspx The John T. Harris collection (SC#2025) at James Madison University's Special Collections.