Born at Rock, near Blackwood, in South Wales, Harris became a coal miner.
[1] He was interested in politics, and by 1894 was a member of Mynyddislwyn parish council, and secretary of the local branch of Cymru Fydd.
[2] Mynyddislwyn became an Urban District Council in 1903, Harris remaining a member, and serving a term as its chair.
[7] The post of treasurer was abolished, and Harris became known as a practical, moderate administrator, but not a strong personality.
[6] He also served on the executive of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, and on many other committees, including becoming a governor of the National Museum of Wales.