Charles Oscar Harris Explained

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]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Freedom's Lawmakers: A Directory of Black Officeholders During Reconstruction. Eric. Foner. Professor of History Eric. Foner. Schomburg Center for Research in Black. Culture. February 24, 1993. Oxford University Press. 9780195074062. Google Books.
  2. HU Journal, Volume 11 Issue 4, Howard University
  3. News: House of Representatives - Alabama 1876 . 24 May 2021 . The Montgomery Advertiser . 1876-08-30 . 1.
  4. Web site: Charles Oscar Harris Family Home Historical Marker. www.hmdb.org.
  5. News: Civil Rights Again on Trial . 24 May 2021 . The Weekly Advertiser . 1875-03-17 . 3.
  6. News: Old Negro Mailing Clerk Dead; Served Under Seven Presidents . 24 May 2021 . The Montgomery Advertiser . 1913-10-09 . 3.
  7. News: Charles Oscar Harris commemorative plaque . 24 May 2021 . The Montgomery Advertiser . 2020-11-27 . A2.
  8. Web site: Charles Oscar Harris plaque commemoration. www.montgomeryadvertiser.com.