Charles Oscar Harris (August 5, 1852 - October 8, 1913) was an American public official and state legislator in Alabama.[1] [2]
He was born August 5, 1852, in Tuskegee, Alabama (or Georgia[1]) and studied at Oberlin College in Ohio and Howard University in Washington D.C. He returned to Alabama and served in the Alabama House of Representatives in 1876 and 1877.[3] He served as a Republican, and attended the Republican National Conventions as a delegate eights times.[4]
In March 1875 Harris along with other prominent African Americans form Montgomery purchased tickets to white-only seats in the local theatre in an attempt to test the 1875 Civil Rights Act.[4] Being duly denied the seats they took the issue to the courts.[4] [5]
After his service to the legislature he had a long career as a mailing clerk serving under the terms of seven presidents and four postmasters.
He died October 8, 1913, and had still been working as a clerk in the Montgomery postoffice.[6]
A historical marker is at his home site at 813 Adams Avenue in Montgomery,[4] it was dedicated April 27, 2019.[7] His descendants with the surname Hilyer passed as white.[8]