Elisha Harris

Elisha Harris (September 8, 1791 – February 1, 1861) of Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, was Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island, 1846–47 serving under Governor Byron Diman and the 20th Governor of Rhode Island 1847–49.

Elisha Harris
Official State House portrait by James Sullivan Lincoln
20th Governor of Rhode Island
In office
May 4, 1847 – May 1, 1849
Lieutenant GovernorEdward W. Lawton
Preceded byByron Diman
Succeeded byHenry B. Anthony
Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island
In office
May 6, 1846 – May 4, 1847
GovernorByron Diman
Preceded byByron Diman
Succeeded byEdward W. Lawton
Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
Personal details
Born(1791-09-08)September 8, 1791
Cranston, Rhode Island
DiedFebruary 1, 1861(1861-02-01) (aged 69)
Coventry, Rhode Island
Resting placeGreenwood Cemetery in Coventry, Rhode Island
Political partyWhig, Republican
ProfessionMill Owner, Banker

Biography

Harris was born in Cranston, Providence County, Rhode Island. He attended the local schools and the East Greenwich Seminary. He then embarked on a business career, working initially as a bookkeeper. He eventually became an owner several manufacturing companies, banks and other enterprises, including serving as President of the Bank of North America in Providence, and operating the Harris Mill in the Harris.

Active in politics as a Whig, Harris served several terms in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He served as lieutenant governor from 1846 until 1847. In 1847 he became governor, and he served one term, 1847 to 1849. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1848, and for election as governor in 1850. Harris became a Republican when the party was founded in the mid-1850s, and he was a presidential elector in 1860.[1]

Harris died in Coventry and was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Coventry.

Henry Howard, who also served as governor, was married to Harris's daughter Catherine.

References
  1. The National Cyclopedia of American Biography, Vol IX. James T. White and Company. 1899. p. 398.
Party political offices
Vacant
Title last held by
Samuel Ward King		 Whig nominee for Governor of Rhode Island
1847, 1848		 Succeeded by
Henry B. Anthony
Political offices
Preceded by
Byron Diman		 Governor of Rhode Island
1847–1849		 Succeeded by
Henry B. Anthony


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.