Historical Rosters Database
Thomas Alexander Harris
Roster ID 426This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
| First Name: | Thomas |
| Middle Name: | Alexander |
| Last Name: | Harris |
| Suffix: | |
| Affiliation: | Class of 1851 |
| Biography & Genealogy: | Thomas Alexander Harris, Class of 1851: Genealogy: Born- Sept. 22, 1830 in Bedford Co. Va. Father- Dr. Hector Harris; Mother- Catherine Adams Alexander. Pat. Grandfather- William Harris; Pat. Grandmother- Doshea Thorpe Harris. Mat. Grandfather- Gerrard Alexander; Mat. Grandmother- Elizabeth Innes. Married- 1st- Frances T. Reed of Franklin, Tenn. who died in 1873; 2nd- Ora Moss of Parkersburg, W. Va. in 1875. Children- (From 1st marriage) 1- Kate Harris; 2- Frank Harris; (from 2nd marriage) Mildred Harris, who became Mrs. Nelson. VMI Record: Entered VMI- Sept. 1, 1848; Graduated- July 4, 1851 standing 10th in a class of 29. Military Record: Unofficial source says he served with the 23rd Georgia Regiment 1861-62, but official records show he began service in May 1862; Appointed Surgeon Aug. 16, 1862; Assigned May 26, 1862 to the never organized Va. Artillery Battalion of Lt. Col. N. C. Harris; In summer of 1862, became Surgeon for 18th Battalion, Va. Heavy Artillery; Soon assigned to organize medical department of the Richmond Defenses and served in that capacity until April 1865, although at times temporarily attached to various units; paroled at Farmville, Va. May 1865. Careers: Cadet Acting Assistant Professor of Latin at VMI in 1850; Lieut. and Asst. Professor of Languages at VMI 1852; At University of Va. 1853-54; studied medicine in hospitals in New York and Pennsylvania; moved to Baltimore, Md. after the Civil War; moved from Baltimore to Parkersburg, W. Va. where he made a successful practice of medicine; he was President of the State Medical Society for a number of years. Died- Feb. 29, 1920 in Parkersburg, W. Va. |
