He moved to Aurelius, New York, becoming the first white settler in 1789, and operated the first ferry across Cayuga Lake with partner James Bennett called the Harris-Bennett Ferry. He acted as an Indian interpreter and guide for white people who traded with and acquired land from upstate New York Indians, and opened the first dry goods store and tavern in Cayuga County, New York, in 1789.
In 1800 he was a partner in the group that constructed the first bridge across Cayuga Lake, further opening western New York to white settlers and securing routes for those traveling further west to Ohio, Michigan and beyond.
Harris was long active in the militia and was appointed the rank of Colonel in the New York State Militia in 1806. Also in 1806, Harris was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Democratic-Republican to the Tenth Congress. He served only one term, 1807 to 1809. He did not run for reelection and returned to his businesses in the Cayuga Lake area.
He commanded the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth New York Regiment in the War of 1812. He died in Bridgeport, New York, in November 1824. Interment in the local cemetery.
john, harris, york, politician, other, people, with, same, name, john, harris, disambiguation, john, harris, september, 1760, november, 1824, member, house, representatives, from, york, cousin, robert, harris, born, harris, ferry, pennsylvania, harrisburg, mov. For other people with the same name see John Harris disambiguation John Harris September 26 1760 November 1824 was a member of the U S House of Representatives from New York cousin of Robert Harris and was born at Harris Ferry Pennsylvania now Harrisburg He moved to Aurelius New York becoming the first white settler in 1789 and operated the first ferry across Cayuga Lake with partner James Bennett called the Harris Bennett Ferry He acted as an Indian interpreter and guide for white people who traded with and acquired land from upstate New York Indians and opened the first dry goods store and tavern in Cayuga County New York in 1789 In 1800 he was a partner in the group that constructed the first bridge across Cayuga Lake further opening western New York to white settlers and securing routes for those traveling further west to Ohio Michigan and beyond Harris was long active in the militia and was appointed the rank of Colonel in the New York State Militia in 1806 Also in 1806 Harris was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Democratic Republican to the Tenth Congress He served only one term 1807 to 1809 He did not run for reelection and returned to his businesses in the Cayuga Lake area He commanded the One Hundred and Fifty eighth New York Regiment in the War of 1812 He died in Bridgeport New York in November 1824 Interment in the local cemetery References editUnited States Congress John Harris id H000245 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress The Political Graveyard John Harris at Find a GraveU S House of RepresentativesPreceded bySilas Halsey Member of the U S House of Representatives from New York s 17th congressional district1807 1809 Succeeded byDistrict eliminated Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Harris New York politician amp oldid 1096868857, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
