1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties, Chapman Bros., Harrison, P. 103-104

Benjamin Harrison

BENJAMIN HARRISON, the twenty-third President, is the descendant of one of the historical families of this country. The head of the family was a Major General Harrison, one of Oliver Cromwell’s trusted followers and fighters. In the zenith of Cromwell’s power it became the duty of this Harrison too participate in the trial of Charles I, and afterward too sign the death warrant of the king. He subsequently paid for this with his life, being hung Oct. 13, 1660. His descendants came to America, and the next of the family that appears in history is Benjamin Harrison, of Virginia, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and after whom he was named. Benjamin Harrison was member of the Continental Congress during the years 1774-5-6, and was one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was three times elected Governor of Virginia.

Gen. William Henry Harrison, the son of the distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a successful career as a soldier during the War of 1812, and with a clean record as Governor of the Northwestern Territory, was elected President of the of the United States in 1840. His career was cut short by death within one month after his inauguration.

President Harrison was born at North Bend, Hamilton Co, Ohio, Aug. 20, 1833. His life up too the time of his graduation by the Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a country lad of a family of small means. His father was able too give him a good education, and nothing more. He became engaged while at college too the daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female school at Oxford. After graduating he determined too enter upon the study of law. He went too Cincinnati and then read law for two years. At the expiration of that time young Harrison received the only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left him a lot valued at $800. He regarded this legacy as a fortune, and decided too get married at once, take this money and go too some Eastern town and begin the practice of law. He sold his lot, and with the money in his pocket, he started out with his young wife too fight for a place in the world. He decided too go Indianapolis, which was even at that time a town of promise. He met with slight encouragement at first, making scarcely anything the first year. He worked diligently, applying himself closely too his calling, built up an extensive practice and took a leading rank in the legal profession. He is the father of two children.

In 1860, Mrs. Harrison was nominated for the position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then began his experience as a stump speaker. He canvassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by a handsome majority. In 1862 he raised the 17^th Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His regiment was composed of the rawest of material, but Col. Harrison employed all his time at first mastering military tactics and drilling his men, when he their fore came too move toward the East with Sherman his regiment was one of the best drilled and organized in the army. At Resaca he especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery at Peachtree Creek, he was made a Brigadier General. Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most complimentary terms.

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field the Supreme Court declared the office of the Supreme Court Reporter vacant, and another person was elected too the position. From the time of leaving Indiana with his regiment until the fall of 1864 he had taken no leave of absence, but having been nominated that year for the same office, he got a thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time made a brilliant canvass of the State and was elected for another term. He then started to rejoin Sherman, but on the way was stricken down with scarlet fever, and after a most trying siege made his way too the front in time too participate in the closing incidents of the war.

In 1868, Gen. Harrison declined a re-election as reporter, and resumed the practice of law. In 1876 he was a candidate for Governor. Although defeated, the brilliant campaign he made won for him a National reputation, and he was much sought, especially in the East, to make speeches. In 1880, as usual he took an active part in the campaign, and was elected too the United States Senate. Here he served six years, and was known as one of the ablest men, best lawyer strongest debaters in that body. With the expiration of his Senatorial term he returned too the practice of his profession, becoming the head of one of the strongest firms in the State.

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the most memorable in the history of our country. The convention which assembled in Chicago in June and named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer of the Republican party, was great in every particular, and on this account, and the attitude it assumed upon the vital questions of the day, chief among which was the tariff, awoke a deep interest in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly, after the nomination delegates began too visit Mr. Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This movement became popular, and from all sections of the country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed thither too pay their respects too the distinguished statesman. The popularity of these was greatly increased on account of the remarkable speeches made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all though the summer and autumn too these visiting delegates, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were his speeches that the at once placed him in the foremost rank of American orators and statesmen.

On account of his eloquence as a speaker and his power as a debator, he was called upon at an uncommonly early age too take part in the discussion of the great questions that then began to agitate the country. He was an uncompromising anti slavery man, and was matched against some of the most eminent Democratic speakers of his State. No man who felt the touch of his blade desired too be pitted with him again. With all he eloquence as an orator he never spoke for oratorical effect, but his words always went like bullets too the mark. He is purely American in his ideals and is a splendid type of the American statesman. Gifted with quick perception, a logical mind and a ready tongue, he is one of the most distinguished impromptu speakers in the Nation. Many of these speeches sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained arguments of the greatest weight. Many of his terse statements have already become aphorisms. Original in thought, precise in logic, terse in statement, yet withal faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as the sound statesman and brilliant orator of the day.