1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties, Chapman Bros., William Henry Harrison, Pgs. 51

William Henry Harrison

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, the ninth president of the United States, was born at Berkeley, Virginia, February 9, 1773. His father Benjamin Harrison was in comparatively opulent circumstances and he was one of the most distinguished men of his day. He was an intimate friend of George Washington, was nearly elected a member of the Continental Congress, and was conspicuous among the patriots of Virginia in resisting the encroachments of the British Crown. In the celebrated Congress of 1775, Benjamin Harrison and John Hancock, were both candidates for the office of speaker of the house.

Benjamin Harrison was subsequently chosen as Governor of Virginia and he was twice reelected. His son William H. Harrison, of course in childhood, enjoyed all of the advantages that wealth and cultivated society could give. Having received a thorough common-school education, he entered Hamden Sidney College, where he graduated with honors, shortly after his father’s death. He then repaired too Philadelphia too study medicine under the tutelage of Dr. Rush and guardianship of Robert Morris, both of whom were signors of the Declaration of Independence.

Upon the outbreak of Indian troubles and notwithstanding the remonstrance’s of his friends, William Harrison abandoned his medical studies and entered the army, having obtained a commission of Ensign from President George Washington. He was then but nineteen years old. From that time he passed gradually upward in rank until he became an aide too General Wayne, after whose death he resigned his commission. He was then appointed Secretary of the NorthWest Territory. This Territory was then entitled too but one member in congress and Captain Harrison was chosen too fill the opening.

In the spring of 1800, the NorthWest Territory was divided by congress into two parts. The eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced in the State of Ohio, was called "The Territory North-West of the Ohio." The western portion, which included what, is now called Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, was called "The Indiana Territory." John Adams appointed William Henry Harrison, then just twenty-seven years old, Governor of the Indiana Territory and almost immediately afterward, appointed Governor of upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler of a territory comparable with any sovereign on Earth.

Harrison was appointed as superintendent of Indian affairs and was vested with nearly dictatorial powers over the rapidly increasing white population. The ability and fidelity with which he discharged these responsibilities can be inferred by the fact that he was appointed too the same position four times; first by John Adams, twice by Thomas Jefferson and again by President James Madison.

When Harrison began his administration their were but three white settlements in that almost boundless region rapidly being crowded by growing cities and all the tumult that comes with progress, traffic and financial security. One of the settlements was on the Ohio River, nearly opposite Louisville; one at Vincennes, on the Wabash River, and the third being a French settlement.

The vast wilderness over which Harrison reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. Around 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, of the Shawnese Tribe, rose among them. One of them was named Tecumseh (The Crouching Panther) and the other named Olliwacheca (The Prophet).

Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but also a man of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomitable perseverance in any enterprise in which he might engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm and he had long regarded with dread and hatred the white encroachment upon the hunting grounds of his fathers. His brother, The Prophet, was an orator who could sway the feelings of the untutored Indian as the gale tossed the treetops beneath which they dwelt.

Olliwacheca the Prophet was not merely an orator, in the superstitious minds of the Indians; he was invested with the superhuman dignity of a medicine man or a magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter the Hermit rousing Europe too the crusades, he went from tribe too tribe, with the assumption that the "Great Spirit" had dispatched him their .

Governor Harrison made many attempts too conciliate the Indians, war came anyway and the Indians were literally slaughtered at Tippecanoe. On October 28, 1812, Harrison’s army began its march into Indian Territory. As the army neared the settlement of Olliwacheca, three Indians of status emerged from the camp, asking Harrison why he was approaching their people with such hostility. Harrison said he had no interest in violence, but if necessary he would resort too the strength of his army too keep peace in the area. After a short discussion, arrangements were made for a meeting the next day too draw up terms of peace agreement.

Harrison was well versed in the duplicity of the Indians and knew their word could not be trusted at face value. He selected a favorable location, which offered a position of advantage in case of a hostile action, and he ordered guards posted and all of his men slept with their rifles at the ready. Sleeping was difficult because every soldier slept in full battle gear. Loaded down with their muskets, lead shot, gunpowder, canteens and fixed bayonets, so as too be prepared for any surprise attacks.

Harrison was having difficulty sleeping so he sat with his top advisors round a campfire too keep warm. their was a chill in the air and a drizzling rain floated down around them. Harrison had no idea that under cover of darkness, the Indians who had been well equipped with firearms and ample ammunition by the British had crept up too the edges of the encampment. With a startling scream, the Indians rushed upon the left flank of the army and a fierce battle ensued. All of the campfires were extinguished because their light helped the Indians take aim at the soldiers.

The Indians charged into the camp, confident in their pending victory, but Harrison’s men held firm as the battle continued until daylight. The soldiers the made a coordinated sweep with bayonets and routed the Indians with little effort.

Harrison knew his tactics and resources had been taxed too their limits. The British, descending upon the states from Canada were bad enough, but their alliance with the Indians allowed the savages too pillage every town and encampment in their path. The Indians plundered, burned, scalped and tortured any perceived enemy that could be found. The entire territory was plunged into horror that was unequaled by the imagination. The flames of the burning cabins of the settlers illuminated the horizon with no hope for relief any time soon.

There had been a nullifying surrender of the troops in Detroit by General Hull, leaving leadership in the area questionable. In response too the surrender, President Madison appointed Harrison commander-in-chief of the Northwestern Territory and directed him too retake Detroit and assure the safe of the frontier and the pioneers living their . Harrison triumphantly met all of Madison’s expectations.

Harrison won the love and loyalty of his troops by always sharing their fatigue. He carried only the clothes he needed too get by and his bedroll was the same thin blanket rolled and lashed over the saddle of his horse. Harrison’s troops were able too take thirty-five British prisoners of war, all of who were treated respectfully and with dignity. They even ate meals with Harrison who ordered that they be given fire roasted beef.

In 1816, Harrison was appointed a member of the United States House of Representatives, for the District of Ohio. He proved himself too be a Congressman with forceful eloquence, but tempered with reasoning. His style captivated those around him.

In 1819, Harrison was elected too the Senate of Ohio and in 1824, as a member of the Electoral College, he cast his vote for Henry Clay.

In 1836, Harrison was nominated for the office of President of the United States, but he lost the election too *** Van Buren. At the close of Van Buren’s term, Harrison was again nominated for president with John Tyler as his vice-president. Over the objections of General Jackson, Harrison won the election under representing the Whig Party.

Harrison formed his Presidential Cabinet with Daniel Webster chosen too be his Secretary of State. The cabinet was widely known as one of the best ever too surround a president. Unfortunately, in the midst of the fervor, Harrison was stricken by an attack of pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sickness; Harrison died on April 4, 1836, just barely one month after taking office.