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.

Andrew Lintner Harris
44th Governor of Ohio
In office June 18, 1906 – January 11, 1909
Preceded by	John M. Pattison
Succeeded by	Judson Harmon
29th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
In office January 8, 1906 – June 18, 1906
Governor	John M. Pattison
Preceded by	Warren G. Harding
Succeeded by	Francis W. Treadway
23rd Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
In office January 11, 1892 – January 13, 1896
Governor	William McKinley
Preceded by	William V. Marquis
Succeeded by	Asa W. Jones
Member of the Ohio Senate from the 3rd district
In office January 1, 1866 – January 5, 1868
Preceded by	Lewis B. Gunckel
Succeeded by	Jonathan Kenney
Personal details
Born	(1835-11-17)November 17, 1835 Milford Township, Ohio, U.S.
Died	September 13, 1915(1915-09-13) (aged 79) Eaton, Ohio, U.S.
Resting place	Mound Hill Cemetery, Eaton, Ohio
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Caroline Conger
Children	1
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Branch/service	United States Army Union Army
Rank	Colonel Bvt. Brigadier General
Commands	75th Ohio Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars	American 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 renominated 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.

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.[4]

See also

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. 2. Chicago: S J Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 322–324.
3. The National cyclopaedia of American biography: being the history ... Supplement I. New York: James T. White and Company. 1910. p. 226.
4. 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.

External links

• Baumgartner, Richard A., Buckeye Blood: Ohio at Gettysburg. Huntington, West Virginia: Blue Acorn Press, 2003. ISBN 1-885033-29-X.
• Bissland, James "Blood, Tears, and Glory: How Ohioans Won the Civil War." Wilmington, Ohio: Orange Frazer Press, 2007. ISBN 1-933197-05-6.
• Reid, Whitelaw (1868). "Andrew L. Harris". Ohio in the War Her Statesmen Generals and Soldiers. 1. Cincinnati: The Robert Clarke Company. p. 968.
• Andrew L. Harris at Find a Grave

Political offices
Preceded by William V. Marquis	Lieutenant Governor of Ohio 1892–1896	Succeeded by Asa W. Jones
Preceded by Warren G. Harding	Lieutenant Governor of Ohio 1906	Succeeded by Francis W. Treadway
Preceded by John M. Pattison	Governor of Ohio 1906–1909	Succeeded by Judson Harmon
Party political offices
Preceded by Myron T. Herrick	Republican Party nominee for Governor of Ohio 1908	Succeeded by Warren G. Harding