Harris Plaisted

Harris Plaisted was a notable American attorney, politician, and military officer who served as a U.S. Representative for Maine's 4th congressional district. A member of the Republican Party, Plaisted held office during the mid-1870s and was involved in various significant roles throughout his career, including service as a Union Army colonel during the American Civil War and as the Attorney General of Maine. His political career extended beyond his time in Congress, as he later became the 38th governor of Maine. Plaisted's life and career reflect a commitment to public service and legal practice, as well as a transition through various political affiliations.

Early life and career

Harris Plaisted was born on November 2, 1828, in Jefferson, New Hampshire, to Deacon William Plaisted and Nancy Merrill Plaisted. He received his early education in local schools and attended several educational institutions, including an academy in Lancaster, New Hampshire, St. Johnsbury Academy, and New Hampton School. Plaisted graduated from Waterville College in 1853 and subsequently earned his LL.B. degree from Albany Law School in 1855, where he received several honors, including a gold medal for an essay on equity jurisprudence.

After completing his education, Plaisted spent a year teaching school while simultaneously preparing for the bar exam under the mentorship of Bangor attorney Albert W. Paine. He was admitted to the bar in 1856 and began his legal practice in Bangor, Maine. His early career also included a position on the military staff of Governor Lot M. Morrill, where he served as an aide-de-camp with the rank of lieutenant colonel from 1858 to 1860.

House tenure

The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 prompted Plaisted to enlist in the Union Army, where he was commissioned as the lieutenant colonel of the 11th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment. His military career advanced rapidly; he was promoted to colonel in May 1862 and led his regiment in several significant campaigns, including the Peninsula Campaign and the Siege of Petersburg. His leadership during these engagements earned him recognition, culminating in his appointment as a brevet brigadier general of volunteers in 1865, followed by a promotion to brevet major general in 1867.

Following the war, Plaisted returned to his legal practice and became increasingly involved in politics. He was elected to the Maine House of Representatives as a Republican, serving from 1867 to 1868. Additionally, he was a delegate to the 1868 Republican National Convention, where he supported Ulysses S. Grant for the presidential nomination. In January 1873, he was appointed as Maine's Attorney General by the state legislature, a position he held through reappointments in 1874 and 1875. During his tenure as Attorney General, Plaisted successfully prosecuted numerous capital cases, all of which resulted in convictions upheld on appeal.

In September 1875, Plaisted was elected in a special election to fill the vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives left by the death of Congressman Samuel F. Hersey. He served in the House from September 13, 1875, until March 3, 1877. During this time, he focused on various legislative responsibilities, including his involvement with the committee investigating the Whiskey Ring, a significant scandal during the Grant administration. After completing his term in Congress, Plaisted chose not to seek re-election in 1876, adhering to a decision by a Republican district convention that favored a rotation system for nominations.

Legislative focus and committees

During his brief tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, Harris Plaisted's legislative focus was primarily directed toward investigating the Whiskey Ring, a political scandal involving tax evasion and corruption among government officials and distillers. This investigation was a notable issue during the Grant administration, reflecting the political climate of the time and the challenges faced by the government in addressing corruption.

Plaisted's time in Congress was characterized by his commitment to legal and ethical governance, as evidenced by his previous experience as Attorney General and his background in law. His legal expertise likely informed his approach to legislative matters and investigations. After concluding his congressional term, he returned to his legal practice in Bangor, where he continued to contribute to the field of law. In partnership with attorney Frederick H. Appleton, he published "The Maine Digest," a compilation of Maine Supreme Judicial Court decisions spanning from 1820 to 1879. He also documented two notable cases he handled as Attorney General, further establishing his legacy in the legal community.

In addition to his legal work, Plaisted's political career continued as he transitioned away from the Republican Party due to dissatisfaction with their monetary policies. He became affiliated with the Greenback Party and, in 1880, was elected governor of Maine as a fusion candidate representing both the Greenbacks and the Democrats. He served as governor from 1881 to 1883, further solidifying his role in Maine's political landscape.

Harris Plaisted passed away on January 31, 1898, in Bangor, Maine, and was laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery in the same city. His life encompassed a diverse range of experiences, from military service to legal practice and political leadership, reflecting the multifaceted nature of public service in the United States during the 19th century.