Thomas Langrell Harris (October 29, 1816 – November 24, 1858) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois.

[edit] Early life

Born in Norwich, Connecticut, Harris pursued classical studies and was graduated from Washington (now Trinity) College, Hartford, Connecticut, in 1841 where he studied law.

[edit] Early career

He was admitted to the bar in 1842 and commenced practice in Petersburg, Illinois. He was made School commissioner for Menard County in 1845.

[edit] Military service

During the Mexican-American War, he raised and commanded a company and joined the Fourth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Harris was subsequently elected major of the regiment. Whilst absent and with the Army, Harris was elected a member of the State senate in 1846. He was presented with a sword by the State of Illinois for gallantry at the Battle of Cerro Gordo, Mexico.

[edit] Later Political Career

Harris was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-first Congress (March 4, 1849-March 3, 1851). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1850 to the Thirty-second Congress. He was not a candidate in 1852.

Harris was elected to the Thirty-fourth Congress and Thirty-fifth Congresses and served from March 4, 1855, until his death. He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of the Navy (Thirty-fourth Congress), Committee on Elections (Thirty-fifth Congress) and was re-elected to the Thirty-sixth Congress.

[edit] Death

He died in Springfield, Illinois, November 24, 1858.

He was interred in Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Illinois.

He has a tombstoneat Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC.

[edit] References

• Thomas L. Harris at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

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