Robert Harris portrait

Item Information

Title:
Robert Harris portrait
Description:
This photograph portrays Robert Harris.
Date:
[1887?]
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Series:
IMLS YMCA Historical Image Collection
Subjects:
Beards
Mustaches
Neckties
Portraits
Extent:
11 x 16.5 cm
Link to Item:
https://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/9271
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Babson Library, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Notes:
Mr. Harris was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1830. His brother Charles Coffin Harris (1822-1881) became the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Robert Harris studied civil engineering in Boston, and briefly studied law like his older brother. In 1852 Harris began his career in Railroad companies as an assistant engineer for the Hartford, Providence and Fishkill Railroad (later the New York and New England Railroad), from April 1856 to February 1860 he was superintendent of the Racine and Mississippi Railroad (later part of the Milwaukee Road system). During the American Civil War he worked for the Quartermaster's department of the Union Army in North Carolina.[3] In July 1863 he became assistant general superintendent of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CBQ) where he would work for 15 years. In October 1878 he became general manager of the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad (NY&E). In December 1880 he became vice-president of NY&E where he resigned in 1888 he resigned to become the Chairman of the Board. In 1893 he was re-elected to the board and named vice-president. He died April 21, 1894 in Rochester, New York, on his way back from a business meeting.
A caption on the back reads: "Born in Portsmouth July 29th 1830. Died in Rochester April 21st 1894." The photographer's imprinted information reads: "W. Kurtz, Portraits. Madison Square (23rd Street) New York."
Identifier:
SC18831