Elisha Harris began his career as a bookkeeper and later became the owner of various manufacturing companies, banks, and enterprises. He served as President of the Bank of North America in Providence and operated the Harris Mill. Harris's educational background includes attending local schools and the East Greenwich Seminary. He transitioned from the business sector to politics, serving multiple terms in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and holding the positions of lieutenant governor and governor. Harris's career also included affiliations with the Whig and Republican parties, culminating in his role as a presidential elector in 1860.

Elisha Harris's political career oscillates between traditional Whig principles and emerging Republican ideals, suggesting an ideologically agile approach. His business background in manufacturing and banking hints at a nuanced understanding of regional economic interests. Harris's political maneuvers, including unexpected alliances and shifts in party affiliation, reveal a strategic thinker deeply attuned to the evolving political landscape.