Early Life and Politics
Born near Warrenton, Virginia, Harris completed an academic course which included the study of law. He was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in the 1820s in Luray, Virginia. A delegate to the Virginia House of Delegates from 1830–1831, Harris could be considered one of the founders of Page County, Virginia, having secured the passage of the bill. As the first Clerk of the Court of Page County, beginning 23 May 1831, and attorney for the Commonwealth, Harris was also appointed as one of the commissioners to oversee the construction of the county offices. In September, 1837, the elder Harris continued in his multi-faceted roles and was responsible for donations for the opening of a road east through the Blue Ridge at Milam's Gap. In 1840, Harris held the distinguished position as Presidential elector on the Van Buren-Johnson ticket.
Harris resigned his position as Clerk of the Court following his election as a Democrat to the Twenty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1841-March 3, 1843).
Read more about this topic: William A. Harris (Virginia)
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