Andrew L. Harris

Andrew Lintner Harris (also known as The Farmer–Statesman) (November 17, 1835 – September 13, 1915) was one of the heroes of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War and served as the 44th governor of Ohio.

This article is about the American Civil War general and 44th governor of Ohio. For other uses, see Andrew Harris (disambiguation).

Andrew Lintner Harris
44th Governor of Ohio
In office
June 18, 1906 – January 11, 1909
Preceded byJohn M. Pattison
Succeeded byJudson Harmon
23rd and 29th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
In office
January 8, 1906 – June 18, 1906
GovernorJohn M. Pattison
Preceded byWarren G. Harding
Succeeded byFrancis W. Treadway
In office
January 11, 1892 – January 13, 1896
GovernorWilliam McKinley
Preceded byWilliam V. Marquis
Succeeded byAsa W. Jones
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 3rd district
In office
January 1, 1866 – January 5, 1868
Preceded byLewis B. Gunckel
Succeeded byJonathan Kenney
Personal details
Born(1835-11-17)November 17, 1835
Milford Township, Ohio, U.S.
DiedSeptember 13, 1915(1915-09-13) (aged 79)
Eaton, Ohio, U.S.
Resting placeMound Hill Cemetery, Eaton, Ohio
Political partyRepublican
SpouseCaroline Conger
Children1
Military service
AllegianceUnited States of America
Union
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Union Army
Rank Colonel
Bvt. Brigadier General
Commands75th Ohio Infantry Regiment
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Biography

Harris was born in Milford Township, Butler County, Ohio, and was educated in the local schools. After graduating from Miami University in 1860, Harris enlisted as a private in the Union Army. Harris was married at West Florence, Ohio, to Caroline Conger[1] of Preble County, Ohio, on October 17, 1865. They had one son.[2][3]

Career

He quickly rose to the rank of colonel of the 75th Ohio Infantry, seeing action in many of the Army of the Potomac's engagements. At Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, he led his men in a successful withdrawal through the hotly contested streets to Cemetery Hill, where they entrenched on the northeastern slope. Assuming command of a brigade, Harris played a key role in delaying repeated attacks the next day by Harry T. Hays's famed Louisiana Tigers, helping secure the critical hill for George G. Meade. Harris continued to lead troops through the war, although he suffered an embarrassing defeat in August 1864 at the Battle of Gainesville in Florida. When the war ended he was brevetted a brigadier general of volunteers.

An attorney, Harris began practicing law in 1865 and then served in the Ohio State Senate from 1866 to 1870 and as Preble County Probate Judge from 1875 to 1882. Harris served as the 23rd and 29th lieutenant governor of Ohio having been elected in 1891 and 1893 as the running mate of William McKinley, and again in 1905, when Democrat John M. Pattison was elected governor. An early temperance activist and Republican politician, Harris succeeded Pattison (upon the latter's death in June 1906) as governor, serving from 1906 to 1909. He was nominated in 1908, but lost narrowly to Judson Harmon in the gubernatorial election. While in office, Harris signed legislation banning corporate political donations. Harris also served on the U.S. Industrial Commission on Trusts under President McKinley. His official residence was at the Hartman Hotel in Downtown Columbus.[4]

Honors

Per state law, U.S. 127 between Hamilton and Eaton was renamed the Gov. Andrew L. Harris Bicentennial Roadway. At the Milford Township Bicentennial in 2005, the Gov. Andrew L. Harris Bicentennial Roadway was dedicated by the Governor's relative, James Brodbelt Harris, president of the family reunion association and whose family continues to own an Ohio Century Farm in the township.

Death

Harris died of heart trouble on September 13, 1915,[1] and is interred in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton, Preble County, Ohio US.[5]

References
  1. "Andrew L. Harris". Ohio Fundamental Documents. Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  2. Taylor, William Alexander (1909). Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio. Vol. 2. Chicago: S J Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 322–324.
  3. The National cyclopaedia of American biography: being the history ... Vol. Supplement I. New York: James T. White and Company. 1910. p. 226.
  4. Historic Hotels of Columbus, Ohio. Arcadia. 2015. ISBN 9781626198968.
  5. Spencer, Thomas E. (1998). Where they're buried : a directory containing more than twenty thousand names of notable persons buried in American cemeteries, with listings of many prominent people who were cremated. Clearfield Co. p. 429. ISBN 9780806348230.
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