Christopher Columbus Harris
Encyclopedia
Christopher Columbus Harris (January 28, 1842 – December 28, 1935) represented Alabama's 8th congressional district
in the United States House of Representatives
.
near the community of Mount Hope. His education consisted of both the public schools and private tutoring. When the American Civil War
began, Harris enlisted in the Confederate States of America
army. He was assigned to the Sixteenth Alabama Infantry, Company F. He progressed through the ranks attaining the rank of Lieutenant. At a point, Harris was captured and taken as a prisoner of war by the Union. He was held at Camp Chase, Ohio until the war ended.
of Lawrence County from 1865-1867. He studied law and began to practice in Moulton, Alabama
. In 1872, Harris moved to the larger city of Decatur, Alabama
where he continued his practice of law. In 1887 he was instrumental in establishing the First National Bank of Decatur and served as its president until 1913.
who had died in office. Her served from May 1914 until March 1915. He did not seek reelection.
Alabama's 8th congressional district
Alabama's 8th congressional district, now obsolete, was established in 1877.At present, Alabama has seven congressional districts represented in the United States House of Representatives. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Alabama was apportioned eight congressional seats as a result of the 1880...
in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
.
Early life
Harris was born in Lawrence County, AlabamaLawrence County, Alabama
Lawrence County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. It was named after James Lawrence, a captain in the United States Navy from New Jersey. As of the 2010 census, the population was...
near the community of Mount Hope. His education consisted of both the public schools and private tutoring. When the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
began, Harris enlisted in the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
army. He was assigned to the Sixteenth Alabama Infantry, Company F. He progressed through the ranks attaining the rank of Lieutenant. At a point, Harris was captured and taken as a prisoner of war by the Union. He was held at Camp Chase, Ohio until the war ended.
Post war activities
Upon returning to Alabama, Harris served as Clerk of the Circuit CourtCircuit court
Circuit court is the name of court systems in several common law jurisdictions.-History:King Henry II instituted the custom of having judges ride around the countryside each year to hear appeals, rather than forcing everyone to bring their appeals to London...
of Lawrence County from 1865-1867. He studied law and began to practice in Moulton, Alabama
Moulton, Alabama
Moulton is a city in Lawrence County, Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 3,260. The city is the county seat of Lawrence County.-Geography:Moulton is located at ...
. In 1872, Harris moved to the larger city of Decatur, Alabama
Decatur, Alabama
Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...
where he continued his practice of law. In 1887 he was instrumental in establishing the First National Bank of Decatur and served as its president until 1913.
Politics
In that year he established the bank of Commerce and became its president. He also became the chairman of the Democratic excutive committee for the 8th district and was elected to fill the unexpired term of William RichardsonWilliam Richardson
-Irish politicians:*William Richardson , MP for Armagh and Hillsborough*William Richardson , MP for Augher*William Richardson , MP for Armagh*William Richardson , MP for Armagh...
who had died in office. Her served from May 1914 until March 1915. He did not seek reelection.