John Harris was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York

New York

New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

.

John Harris (cousin of Robert Harris

Robert Harris (Pennsylvania)

Robert Harris was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.Robert Harris was born at Harris Ferry, Pennsylvania...

) was born at Harris Ferry, Pennsylvania

History of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

The history of Harrisburg, the state capital of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, has occupied a central place in the development of the nation's industrial history, from its origins as a trading outpost to the present. Harrisburg has played a critical role in American history during...

 (now Harrisburg

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...

). He moved to Aurelius, New York

Aurelius, New York

Aurelius is a town in Cayuga County, New York, USA. The population was 2,792 at the 2010 census. The town was named after the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.The Town of Aurelius is at the western edge of the county and borders the City of Auburn....

, in 1789, and operated the first ferry

Ferry

A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...

 across Cayuga Lake

Cayuga Lake

Cayuga Lake   is the longest of central New York's glacial Finger Lakes, and is the second largest in surface area and second largest in volume. It is just under 40 miles long. Its average width is 1.7 miles , and it is at its widest point near Aurora...

. He acted as an Indian interpreter, and opened the first store and tavern in Cayuga County, New York

Cayuga County, New York

Cayuga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It was named for one of the tribes of Indians in the Iroquois Confederation. Its county seat is Auburn.- History :...

, in 1789. He was appointed a colonel in the New York State Militia in 1806.

Harris was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Tenth

10th United States Congress

- House of Representatives :- Senate :*President: George Clinton *President pro tempore: Samuel Smith , elected April 16, 1808** Stephen R. Bradley , elected December 28, 1808** John Milledge , elected January 30, 1809...

 Congress. He commanded the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth New York Regiment in the War of 1812

War of 1812

The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...

. He died in Bridgeport, New York

Bridgeport, New York

Bridgeport is a hamlet located partly in the Town of Sullivan in Madison County, New York and partly in the Town of Cicero in Onondaga County, New York...

, in November 1824. Interment in the local cemetery.