John Hyde Harris (1825 - 1886)

Born 24 Nov 1825 in Deddington, Oxfordshire, England

Husband of Annie Cunningham (Cargill) Harris — married 3 Sep 1851 (to 18 Jan 1881) in Otago, New Zealand

Husband of Kate Philomena (Dunphy) Harris — married 3 Nov 1881 (to 24 Jul 1886) in Dunedin, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 24 Jul 1886 at age 60 in Dunedin, New Zealand

Biography

John Hyde Harris had nine children. He was born in Deddington, a small parish in Oxfordshire, England on November 24, 1825. He sailed on the ship Poietiers for New Zealand and arrived in Otago on September 4, 1850 when nearly 25 years of age.

John Hyde Harris had trained as a lawyer before leaving home and commenced the practice of his profession in Stafford Street, there being only one other lawyer practicing in Dunedin at that time. He was a popular person with the settlers of Otago.

John Hyde Harris held many notable positions in the City of Dunedin. He was called to a seat on the Legislative Council in 1852 and was appointed a Judge of the District Court which he held till the Court was abolished in 1862. He was elected as Superintendent of Otago but private circumstances prevented him from occupying the position for the full elective period and he resigned in June 1865. In July 1867 he was elected Mayor, but once again, was obliged to relinquish the office before the expiry of the term of office. John Hyde Harris was very liberal to the Presbyterian Church and gave the section of ground on which the first Knox Kirk was built in 1859

Sources

• Marriage, New Zealand, New Zealand, Wellington; registration number 1851/1574