Josiah A. Harris (January 15, 1808 – August 21, 1876) was the ninth Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio in 1847.

Josiah A. Harris
9th Mayor of Cleveland
In office
1847–1847
Preceded byGeorge Hoadley
Succeeded byLorenzo A. Kelsey
Personal details
Born(1808-01-15)January 15, 1808
Becket, Massachusetts
DiedAugust 21, 1876(1876-08-21) (aged 68)
Cleveland, Ohio
Resting placeErie Street Cemetery
Political partyWhig party
SpouseEsther M. Race
Childrenfour

Harris moved from Becket, Massachusetts in 1818 to North Amherst in Lorain County. Harris was elected sheriff of Elyria in 1832 and began the Ohio Atlas & Elyria Advertiser, a weekly newspaper. Harris moved to Cleveland in 1837 and purchased the Cleveland Herald and Gazette, where he proudly supported the Whig party. He was elected mayor 10 years later in 1847. He began to lose interest in the Herald and ended up quitting journalism altogether after the Civil War. He retired to a farm in Rocky River. Harris suffered a series of strokes and died at his daughter's home. He is buried in the Erie Street Cemetery.

Harris married Esther M. Race in 1830 and had four children: Bryon C., Brougham E., Zacharia, and Helen.

References

edit
  • The Encyclopedia Of Cleveland History by Cleveland Bicentennial Commission (Cleveland, Ohio), David D. Van Tassel (Editor), and John J. Grabowski (Editor) ISBN 0-253-33056-4
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Cleveland
1847
Succeeded by