[2][3] Harris was active in a variety of enterprises, including owning and operating a farm.

[2] His other ventures included undertaker, furniture sales, cigar store owner, and insurance agent.

[1][2] A Democrat in an era when the Republican Party dominated Vermont politics, Harris was an unsuccessful candidate for several offices, including judge of probate (1888) and lieutenant governor (1900).

[6] In 1894, Harris was appointed United States Marshal for Vermont, succeeding Rollin Amsden.

[2] After serving as US Marshal, Harris owned and operated the Green Mountain Detective Agency, a private investigative service.