Thomas L. Harris

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For the spiritualist, see Thomas Lake Harris.
For other people named Thomas Harris, see Thomas Harris (disambiguation).
Thomas L. Harris
John Alexander McClernand
Succeeded byCharles D. Hodges
Personal details
Born
Thomas Langrell Harris

(1816-10-20)October 20, 1816
US Army
Years of service1846–1847
RankMajor
Unit4th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Battles/warsBattle of Cerro Gordo

Thomas Langrell Harris (October 29, 1816 – November 24, 1858) was an American lawyer who was a soldier in the

19th Century.[1]

Harris was decorated for bravery at the Battle of Cerro Gordo during the Mexican–American War, and served in Congress as a Democrat.

Early life

Born in Norwich, Connecticut, Harris pursued classical studies and was graduated from Washington (now Trinity) College, Hartford, Connecticut, in 1841 where he studied law.

Early career

He was admitted to the bar in 1842 and commenced practice in Petersburg, Illinois. He was made School commissioner for Menard County in 1845.

Military service

During the

US Army, Harris was elected a member of the State senate in 1846. He was presented with a sword by the State of Illinois for gallantry at the Battle of Cerro Gordo
, Mexico.

Later political career

Harris was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-first Congress (March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1851), succeeding future president Abraham Lincoln, who did not run for re-election after his one term in the House. Harris was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1850 to the Thirty-second Congress.

He was not a candidate in 1852, but was elected to the

Thirty-fifth Congresses and served from March 4, 1855, until his death. He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of the Navy (Thirty-fourth Congress), Committee on Elections (Thirty-fifth Congress) and was re-elected to the Thirty-sixth Congress
.

Legacy

Harristown Township, Macon County, Illinois and the Village of Harristown [formerly Summit] were named in his honor.

Death

Harris died in Springfield, Illinois, November 24, 1858, and is interred in Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Illinois. He has a cenotaph at the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC, but is not buried there.

See also

References

  1. ISSN 0019-2287
    .

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 7th congressional district
1849-1851 		Succeeded by
Richard Yates
Preceded by
John A. McClernand
 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 6th congressional district
1855-1858 		Succeeded by
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