Thomas Harris (British Columbia politician) explained

Thomas Harris
Office:Mayor of Victoria, British Columbia
Term Start:1862
Term End:1865
Birth Date:1817?
Birth Place:England
Death Date:November 29, 1884 (aged 67)
Death Place:Victoria, British Columbia

Thomas Harris (1817?  - November 29, 1884[1]) was the first mayor of Victoria, British Columbia, serving from 1862 to 1865.

Born in Almeley, Herefordshire, Harris married Eliza Dickinson, a widow, in Liverpool in 1848. Harris came to Victoria by way of California in 1858, at the height of the Cariboo gold rush. He ran a slaughterhouse for a time, then became a butcher shortly afterward and made his fortune.[2]

A jovial man who had an opinion on everything and wasn't afraid to tell whoever would listen, he was a likely candidate for election in 1862 when the town's father decided to incorporate the town. At election time, Harris won by "forest of hands" amid a group of 600 men. During his second official council meeting, the 300 pound (136 kg) Harris had a chair collapse under his own weight.

In 1873, he was named sergeant-at-arms for the provincial legislature. He was named high sheriff for Vancouver Island in 1876.[2]

Harris Green, an area within Victoria, is named after him.

His stepson Robert Dickinson took over the shop in New Westminster and served as mayor of that city.[2]

Notes and References

  1. http://search.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/sn-2004D11/view/Deaths/find-adv%2B%20givennames%3D(thomas)%20AND%20place%3D(victoria)%20AND%20surname%3D(harris)%20%2B%2B%2B%2B/1
  2. An "'Umble Tradesman": Thomas Harris First Mayor of Victoria . Dennison . Robert G . British Columbia History . 41 . 4 . 2008 . 11–15 . British Columbia Historical Federation . 2011-07-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111004100342/http://www.bchistory.ca/publications/journal/oldjournals/41.4_2008.pdf . 2011-10-04 .