R. F. Harris

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Richard F. Harris (July 8, 1827- November 27, 1893) was a prominent merchant and Charlottesville's city-wide elected mayor in the late 1800's.

Harris first elected mayor in 1875 and served until 1881 when B. R. Pace was elected. Harris was re-elected in 1883 and served until 1888 when Charlottesville received its charter as a city.[1]


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Biography

Harris and his wife, Eliza H. (Wayland) were born in Charles City, VA. They moved from Richmond to Charlottesville and later open Charlottesville's first foundry in 1858. The Charlottesville Agriculture & Iron Works, once located on both sides of the 400 block of West Main Street, was later operated as R. F. Harris and Son. His son, Charles F. Harris, and four of his daughters operated the company under the name of R. F. Harris & Co. after the death of their mother on June 23, 1902.

R. F. Harris died in 1893 and was buried in the family section of Maplewood Cemetery.

Fireworks controversy

In 1886, Harris ordered an end to the practice of detonating fireworks at Christmas time. Possibly in retaliation, someone exploded dynamite at the foundry, resulting in a large crater.

References

  1. Web. Yesteryears: For Charlottesville's first mayor, Christmas season 1886 ended with a bang, David Maurer, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, retrieved December 8, 2013.

Burials at Maplewood Cemetery