Education
Born in Norwich, Connecticut, Harris pursued classical studies and was graduated from Washington (now Trinity) College, Hartford, Connecticut, in 1841 where he studied law.
United States representative politician
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 St. Petersburg, Illinois. He was made School commissioner for Menard County in 1845. During the Mexican-American War, he raised and commanded a company and joined the Fourth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
Harris was subsequently elected major of the regiment.
He was presented with a sword by the State of Illinois for gallantry at the Battle of Cerro Gordo, Mexico. Later Political Harris was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-first Congress (March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1851).
He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1850 to the Thirty-second Congress. He was not a candidate in 1852.
Harris was elected to the Thirty-fourth Congress and 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. Harristown Township, Macon County, Illinois and the Village of Harristown were named in his honor. Harris died in Springfield, Illinois, November 24, 1858, and is interred in Rose Hill Cemetery, St. Petersburg, Illinois.
He has a cenotaph at the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, District of Columbia.
Whilst absent and with the United States Army, Harris was elected a member of the State senate in 1846.
