President Benjamin Harrison

President Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States, serving from 1889 to 1893, and was the grandson of William Henry Harrison, the 9th President of the United States. He was a member of the Republican Party and is known for his support of education, conservation, and civil rights. Harrison was born in North Bend, Ohio and grew up in a family that valued politics and public service, with his father, John Scott Harrison, serving in the United States House of Representatives. He was also influenced by his uncle, Carter Bassett Harrison, who served in the United States House of Representatives and as the Mayor of Chicago.

● Early Life and Education

Harrison was born on August 20, 1833, in North Bend, Ohio, to John Scott Harrison and Elizabeth Ramsey Irwin Harrison. He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he studied law and politics, and was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. After graduating in 1852, Harrison moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he began his career as a lawyer and became involved in politics, supporting the Republican Party and Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 presidential election. Harrison also served in the Union Army during the American Civil War, fighting in the Battle of Resaca and the Battle of Peachtree Creek, and rising to the rank of brevet brigadier general.

● Career

Before entering politics, Harrison worked as a lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana, and was a member of the Indiana Bar Association. He served in the United States Senate from 1881 to 1887, where he supported the Pendleton Civil Service Act and the Dawes Act, and was a strong advocate for education and conservation. Harrison also supported the Interstate Commerce Act and the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, which were signed into law by President Grover Cleveland. He was a close friend and ally of James G. Blaine, who served as United States Secretary of State under President James A. Garfield and President Chester A. Arthur.

● Presidency

Harrison was elected as the 23rd President of the United States in 1888, defeating Grover Cleveland in the 1888 presidential election. During his presidency, Harrison supported the McKinley Tariff, which raised tariffs on imported goods, and the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, which increased the amount of silver that the United States government was required to purchase. He also established several national parks, including Sequoia National Park and General Grant National Park, and supported the admission of new states to the United States, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington. Harrison was a strong supporter of civil rights and voting rights, and advocated for the passage of the Lodge Federal Elections Bill, which would have protected the voting rights of African Americans in the Southern United States.

● Personal Life

Harrison was married to Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison, who was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a strong supporter of education and conservation. The couple had two children, Russell Benjamin Harrison and Mary Scott Harrison McKee. Harrison was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was known for his strong Christian values. He was also a close friend and ally of John Jacob Astor IV, who served as a United States Army officer during the Spanish-American War.

● Legacy

Harrison's presidency is often remembered for his support of education, conservation, and civil rights. He was a strong advocate for the establishment of national parks and the protection of natural resources, and his administration established several national parks and wildlife refuges. Harrison also supported the admission of new states to the United States and advocated for the passage of the Lodge Federal Elections Bill. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, and was awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor by the French government.

● Later Life and Death

After leaving office, Harrison returned to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he practiced law and remained involved in politics. He married Mary Dimmick Harrison in 1896, after the death of his first wife, and the couple had one child, Elizabeth Harrison. Harrison died on March 13, 1901, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery. He was remembered as a strong supporter of education, conservation, and civil rights, and his legacy continues to be celebrated by the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site and the United States National Park Service. Harrison's life and presidency are also commemorated by the Benjamin Harrison Medal, which is awarded by Miami University to individuals who have made significant contributions to public service and conservation. Category:Presidents of the United States