American doctor, Confederate soldier, orange grower, postmaster and politician
Junius J. Harris (January 11, 1834 – December 24, 1906) was a medical doctor, Confederate soldier, orange grower, state legislator, and postmaster who served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.[1]
Harris was born January 11, 1834, in Washington County, Georgia, to Daniel and Vashti (Franklin) Harris.[1] His father was a planter from North Carolina who died in 1863; his mother was from Georgia, and he had an elder brother Rev. Thomas M. Harris.[1]
Harris was educated at Emory CollegeinOxford, Georgia, graduating in 1853, then read medicine with doctors Henry and Robert Campbell in Augusta, Georgia; he graduated in 1855.[1] He started practising medicine in Washington, Georgia, for a year before moving to Rome, Georgia, but was forced to give up his growing practice due to health issues.[1]
He married Miss R. R. Mitchell, daughter of David R. Mitchell, November 1, 1855, and together they had seven children.[1]
On January 4, the 1881 session was assembled and 1881 Harris motioned for Charles Dougherty to be elected Speaker pro tem.[6] Mr. Cottrell of Levy County, Florida later nominated Harris for Speaker who won with 53 votes for and 12 abstaining.[6]
Harris moved to Sanford, Florida, in 1882 where he purchased the Sanford Journal.[1] He was its editor for several years and later edited a newspaper at West Palm Beach.[7]
In 1887 Harris was appointed to the position of Sanford Postmaster.[1] He was Mayor of Sanford on more than one occasion.[7]
The source Biographical Souvenir of the States of Georgia and Florida has him serving three terms plus one as speaker but multiple other sources claim two terms plus one as speaker.[1][3][4]
