John Spafford HARRIS, Congress, LA (1825-1906)

HARRIS, John Spafford, a Senator from Louisiana; born in Truxton, Cortland County, N.Y., on December 18, 1825; attended the common schools; moved to Du Page County, Ill., then on to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1846; employed as clerk in a mercantile establishment and pursued his education 1846-1849; engaged in mercantile pursuits 1849-1863; moved to Natchez, La., in 1863; at the close of the Civil War was one of the largest cotton planters in the State; member of the State constitutional convention in 1868, being chosen one of a committee of seven to conduct the affairs of the State until the constitution could be adopted; member, State senate 1868; upon the readmission of Louisiana to representation was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate and served from July 8, 1868, to March 3, 1871; appointed surveyor general for Montana by President Chester Arthur on November 21, 1881; died in Butte, Mont., January 25, 1906; interment in Forestvale Cemetery, Helena, Mont.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present