William Alexander HARRIS, Congress, VA (1805-1864)

HARRIS, William Alexander, (father of William Alexander Harris [1841-1909]), a Representative from Virginia; born near Warrenton, Fauquier County, Va., August 24, 1805; completed an academic course; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Luray; member of the State house of delegates in 1830 and 1831; elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1841-March 3, 1843); editor of the Spectator and the Constitution in Washington, D.C.; Chargé d’Affaires to the Argentine Republic 1846-1851; moved to Missouri and later returned to Washington, D.C., editor of the Washington Union and printer to the United States Senate 1857-1859; died in Pike County, Mo., March 28, 1864; interment in Riverview Cemetery, Louisiana, Mo.

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