Vertical File Biographies

This is an individual biography from the vertical file of biographical information, primarily newspaper clippings, created by the Kansas State Histocial Society Library and Archives division. This is a concise version--there may be more information in this or other sources.

John W. Harris

John Harris was an African-American born in Topeka in the late 19th century. He spent most of his youth on a Kansas cattle ranch. He had a strong desire for higher education and worked his way to Boston in the early years of the 20th century and there attended Harvard University.

After graduating in 1907, he began writing articles of special interest for a Boston newspaper and also attended the Harvard Law School. He dropped out of law school after two years and decided to pursue journalism full-time.

A few years later, Booker T. Washington helped Harris move to New York City and there start a newspaper specifically for the “colored” race. Harris became the owner and editor of the New York News, a newspaper oriented towards African American interests, but said to cover the full field of the city.

In 1919, Harris ran for alderman from the Harlem district of New York City and won. In 1921, he was reelected to represent the people of that community.

Source: “Topeka Negro Wins Fame,” Topeka Journal, December 3, 1921.

The vertical file is on forty-three microfilm reels arranged alphabetically by name. These reels are available through interlibrary loan, or you may contact the reference staff . Please note that many of the clippings had yellowed and it may be impossible to produce a readable photocopy.

Completion of this biography was made possible by volunteer Frank Sotrines.