Born in Warwick in about 1820, William Harriss moved to Sheffield in about 1856 and partnered James Hancock in an electro-plate venture in Orchard Lane.   He then worked alone until he joined forces in the early 1860s with Henry Land in Harriss & Land.  The firm was a Britannia metal manufacturer, but became one of the early electro-platers in Sheffield.  In 1864, Harriss and Land separated, with the former reverting to trading as ‘William Harriss’, electro-plater and gilder, Orchard Lane.   He specialised in spoons and forks.  Information on Harriss is sparse, though apparently he was a Methodist.  The 1861 Census shows him visiting friends in Bradfield and describing himself as a ‘farmer and electroplater’.  By 1868, Harriss had moved his works to Joiner Street in the Wicker, while he himself lived in Parkwood Springs, Walkley.   The business was not listed by 1879.  In 1881, Harriss was lodging in Carr Road, Walkley.   William Harriss died at Providence Road, Walkley, on 18 June 1895 (aged 74) and was buried in St Philip’s churchyard, Shalesmoor.