Our Arklahoma Heritage: Judge Henry C. Harris was a Choctaw leader who helped shape Oklahoma’s history
- Dennis McCaslin
- Nov 2
- 3 min read
Judge Henry Churchill Harris (1837–1899), a distinguished Choctaw tribal official and supreme judge of the Apukshunnubbee District, played a pivotal role in the governance and development of the Choctaw Nation in southeastern Oklahoma.
His extensive political and judicial career, alongside his establishment of Harris Ferry and construction of a historic home in 1867, cemented his legacy as a leader.
Harris’s commitment to his family and community, culminating in his burial near his home on US-259, one mile south of Harris, remains a testament to his enduring influence.
Born in 1837 in Indian Territory to William R. Harris, a white man, and Eliza Cornelius Pitchlynn, a Choctaw woman, Harris was shaped by his Choctaw heritage and the influence of his uncle, Chief Peter Pitchlynn, a prominent Choctaw statesman.
His early life in the post-Trail of Tears era positioned him to serve his nation during a time of rebuilding and adaptation.
Harris rose to prominence as a key figure in the Choctaw Nation’s tribal government, most notably as the supreme judge of the Apukshunnubbee District, one of the three administrative districts of the Choctaw Nation, encompassing much of southeastern Oklahoma.
The role of supreme judge was a position of significant authority, requiring Harris to oversee complex legal cases, including disputes over land, property, and tribal law, while maintaining Choctaw customs in the face of growing U.S. influence.
His tenure, spanning the late 1860s through the 1880s, coincided with a turbulent period following the Civil War, when the Choctaw Nation grappled with Reconstruction-era policies and pressures to cede land.
As supreme judge, Harris was responsible for interpreting and enforcing the Choctaw Nation’s constitution, adopted in 1860, which blended traditional governance with Western legal frameworks.
He adjudicated cases involving both Choctaw citizens and non-Indians, who increasingly interacted with the nation through trade and settlement. His rulings helped maintain order in the Apukshunnubbee District, a region vital for its proximity to the Red River and its economic ties to Texas and Arkansas.
Harris’s judicial decisions often required balancing tribal sovereignty with pragmatic diplomacy, as the U.S. government sought greater control over Indian Territory.
Beyond the bench, Harris was an active political figure, engaging in tribal governance and diplomacy. Historical records suggest he served as a diplomat, representing the Choctaw Nation in negotiations with U.S. authorities, particularly during discussions over treaty rights and land issues.
His political career was influenced by his uncle, Peter Pitchlynn, who served as principal chief and advocated for Choctaw interests in Washington, D.C. Harris participated in tribal councils and legislative sessions, contributing to policies that shaped the nation’s response to challenges like the 1871 Treaty of Washington, which altered Choctaw land rights, and the push for allotment in the 1890s.
His leadership helped preserve Choctaw autonomy during a period of external
Harris’s political and judicial roles were complemented by his economic contributions.
Before the Civil War, he founded Harris Ferry on the Red River, a critical crossing that facilitated trade and travel, strengthening the Apukshunnubbee District’s economy. In 1867, he built the Harris House on Harris Ferry Road, the hub of his Pleasant Hill plantation, which supported agricultural and commercial activities.
The home, restored in 1949 by his grandson, Charles L. Harris, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and stands six miles south of Haworth, near US-259.
On December 31, 1862, Harris married Margarette Elizabeth Lee, daughter of William Lee and Nancy Jackson. The couple raised their family in the Harris House, enduring the loss of several children.
Their surviving children--sons Walter, Bert, and a boy nicknamed “Little Rip,” and daughters Lena and Mattie--grew up immersed in Choctaw culture and the responsibilities of their father’s public life.
Harris was known as a devoted family man, and his household was a center of community activity, reflecting his role as a tribal leader. His Choctaw heritage, passed through his mother, reinforced his family’s ties to tribal traditions.
Harris died in 1899 at age 62, likely at his home, though the cause of death is not specified in available records. His passing came as the Choctaw Nation faced the Dawes Act’s impact, which dismantled communal lands.
A member of the Masonic order, Harris was buried with Masonic rites at Margarette’s request, highlighting his respected status.
His grave lies in a small cemetery near his home on US-259, one mile south of Harris, in McCurtain County. Initially used by two Choctaw families, the cemetery later served pioneers, symbolizing Harris’s role in fostering a diverse community.
The site, near the Red River and the historic ferry, connects his personal and public legacies.
