John Spafford Harris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Senator fromLouisiana | |
| In office July 8, 1868 – March 3, 1871 | |
| Preceded by | Judah P. Benjamin |
| Succeeded by | Joseph R. West |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1825-12-18)December 18, 1825 |
| Died | January 25, 1906(1906-01-25) (aged 80) |
| Resting place | Forestvale Cemetery inHelena, Montana |
| Political party | Republican |
John Spafford Harris (December 18, 1825 – January 25, 1906) was an American politician for the state ofLouisiana and member of theRepublican Party. Born to a farm family inTruxton, New York, Harris was a delegate to the Louisiana state constitutional convention in 1868. He was a member of Louisiana State Senate in 1868 and the first RepublicanU.S. Senator from Louisiana, serving from 1868 to 1871. Harris was buried at Forestvale Cemetery inHelena, Montana.
Harris attended the common schools,[1] and received some college education during his time inMilwaukee, Wisconsin.[2]
After the death of his mother, Harris accompanied his father toMilwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1846. Initially employed as clerk in a mercantile establishment, he worked as a merchant, real estate dealer, and banker. He eventually rose to be president of Milwaukee's Marine Bank.[3][4]
In the fall of 1863, traveled toMemphis, 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 inNatchez, Mississippi, where he was induced to lease one of the largest cotton plantations in Louisiana. By the end of theAmerican Civil War, he had become one of the biggest planters inLouisiana.[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 theNew Orleans Picayune as "one of the mildest and most temperate Republicans", although theNew 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 He succeeded Judah P. Benjamin who had withdrawn from the Senate previous to the war.[6] His nomination was confirmed by both houses.[7] He completed his term on March 3, 1871.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 ofMontana by PresidentChester Arthur in 1881.[8]
Harris died inButte, Montana on January 25, 1906,[9] and is buried inHelena, Montana.[10]
| U.S. Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | U.S. senator (Class 2) from Louisiana 1868–1871 Served alongside:William P. Kellogg | Succeeded by |
| Notes and references | ||
| 1. Because of Louisiana's secession from the Union, the Senate seat was vacant from 1861 to 1868 whenJudah P. Benjamin withdrew from the Senate. | ||
| Class 2 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 3 | ||
