Broughton Harris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Broughton Harris
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From 1894's Men of Vermont Illustrated
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| Member of the Vermont Senate from Windham County | |
| In office 1860–1862 Serving with John C. Richardson, Parley Starr
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| Preceded by | Ranslure W. Clarke, William Harris Jr., Samuel L. Hunt |
| Succeeded by | Edward Kirkland, Henry E. Stoughton |
| Secretary of the Utah Territory | |
| In office 1850–1852 |
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| Preceded by | None (position created) |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin G. Ferris |
| Register of Probate for Vermont's Marlboro District | |
| In office 1847–1848 |
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| Preceded by | Royall Tyler Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Frederick Holbrook |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 22, 1822 Chesterfield, New Hampshire |
| Died | January 19, 1899 (aged 76) Brattleboro, Vermont |
| Resting place | Prospect Hill Cemetery, Brattleboro, Vermont |
| Political party | Whig (before 1854) Republican (from 1854) |
| Spouse | Sarah Buell Hollister (m. 1851) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parents | Wilder Harris Harriet (Davies) Harris |
| Education | Dartmouth College |
| Occupation | Journalist Businessman Public official |
Broughton Harris (born August 16, 1822 – died January 19, 1899) was an important businessman and political leader from Vermont. He served as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Utah Territory. He was also part of a group known as the "Runaway Officials of 1851."
Contents
Early Life and Education
Broughton Harris was born in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, on August 16, 1822. His parents were Wilder Harris and Harriet (Davies) Harris.
He went to Chesterfield Academy and Kimball Union Academy. Later, he graduated from Dartmouth College in 1845. While in college, he was a member of two honor societies: Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Delta Phi.
Starting His Career
After college, Harris briefly studied law. He then became a journalist. He worked as an editor for The Vermont Phoenix newspaper. He also edited and published The Semi-Weekly Eagle. Both of these newspapers supported the Whig Party.
From 1847 to 1850, Harris held a public office. He was the Register of Probate for the Marlboro District in Vermont. This role involved managing legal records for estates.
Adventures in Utah Territory
In 1850, President Millard Fillmore chose Harris for a big job. He was appointed Secretary and Treasurer of the new Utah Territory. This was a very important position.
However, Harris and two other federal officials had trouble working with the territorial Governor, Brigham Young. Because of these disagreements, Harris and the others left Utah Territory. They left without new officials being appointed to take their places.
After an investigation, the government decided the officials had left without a good reason. President Fillmore's administration told them to go back to Utah or lose their jobs. Harris and the others refused to return. So, they were removed from the government of the territory. Harris was later offered another job as Secretary of New Mexico Territory, but he turned it down.
Serving During the Civil War
After his time in Utah, Harris settled in Brattleboro, Vermont. When the Republican Party was formed, he joined it. He was elected to the Vermont Senate and served there from 1860 to 1862.
Harris also represented Vermont at the Peace Conference of 1861. This meeting tried to find a way to stop the American Civil War from starting, but it was not successful.
Later Life and Business
After his political service, Harris became a partner in Harris Brothers & Company. This company was one of the largest railroad construction businesses in the country. He also became the President of the Brattleboro Savings Bank.
In 1884, Harris was chosen as a delegate. He attended the 1884 Republican National Convention. This was a big meeting where the Republican Party chose its candidate for president.
Family Life
In 1851, Broughton Harris married Sarah Buell Hollister. Her uncle was a well-known banker. They went on their honeymoon while traveling to Salt Lake City. This was when Harris was starting his job as territorial Secretary.
Sarah wrote a journal about her trip and experiences in Utah. This journal was later published as An Unwritten Chapter of Salt Lake. Broughton and Sarah had one daughter together. Her name was Mary Buell Harris. She later married an attorney and writer named John Seymour Wood.
Broughton Harris passed away in Brattleboro on January 19, 1899. He was buried in Brattleboro's Prospect Hill Cemetery.
