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Benjamin Harrison

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Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd president of the United States.

Benjamin Harrison c1850
Benjamin Harrison c1850

He was born on August 20, 1833, on a farm near the Ohio River. His family had a very long history in America. His grandfather, William Henry Harrison, was the ninth president.

Benjamin Harrison Home
Benjamin Harrison Home

His great-grandfather was Benjamin Harrison V, a Founding Father. Even though his family was famous, they were not very wealthy. His father, John Scott Harrison, worked hard to pay for his children's school. Benjamin grew up enjoying the outdoors by fishing and hunting.

After finishing school at Miami University in 1852, Harrison studied law.

Harrison, Hon. B. Pres. Crop
Harrison, Hon. B. Pres. Crop

He married Caroline Scott in 1853. They had two children named Russell and Mary. In 1854, the couple moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. Harrison began working as a lawyer and a court crier. He earned $2.50 per day as a crier.

Benjamin Harrison 1903 Issue-13c
Benjamin Harrison 1903 Issue-13c

He also became a leader in his church and local clubs. He joined the Republican Party in 1856 and began his life in politics.

When the American Civil War started, Harrison joined the Union Army.

General Benjamin Harrison--"Come on boys!" - Battle of Resaca - May 13th to 16th 1864
General Benjamin Harrison--"Come on boys!" - Battle of Resaca - May 13th to 16th 1864

He first helped recruit men for the army in Indiana. He became a colonel and led the 70th Indiana regiment.

General-Benjamin-Harrison-in-uniform,-1865
General-Benjamin-Harrison-in-uniform,-1865

Harrison was a brave leader who stayed with his soldiers. He famously told them, "Come on, boys!" During the Battle of Resaca in May 1864, his unit captured an enemy artillery battery.

Battle of Resaca--May 13 to 16, 1864
Battle of Resaca--May 13 to 16, 1864

He later became a brigadier general in 1865.

In 1888, Harrison won the election to become president.

ElectoralCollege1888
ElectoralCollege1888

He defeated the current president, Grover Cleveland. This was a special win because he won the Electoral College but lost the popular vote. During his term from 1889 to 1893, he passed many laws. He helped create national forest reserves through the Land Revision Act of 1891.

John-Sherman-2
John-Sherman-2

He also helped build a much stronger U.S. Navy.

USS Texas2
USS Texas2

Under his leadership, federal spending reached $1 billion for the first time.

Some of Harrison's big ideas were not successful. He tried to pass laws to protect voting rights for African Americans. He also wanted to provide federal money for education. These plans did not pass in Congress. Because of high spending and high taxes, people were unhappy.

Grover Cleveland defeated him in the 1892 election. Harrison went back to his law practice in Indianapolis. He died at his home in 1901 from the flu.

Grave of President Benjamin Harrison and his two wives in Indianapolis, Indiana
Grave of President Benjamin Harrison and his two wives in Indianapolis, Indiana
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🖼️ Images & Media (26)
File:JSHarrison.jpg
JSHarrison.jpg
File:Benjamin Harrison c1850.jpg
Benjamin Harrison c1850.jpg
File:General Benjamin Harrison--"Come on boys!" - Battle of Resaca - May 13th to 16th 1864.jpg
General Benjamin Harrison--"Come on...
File:General-Benjamin-Harrison-in-uniform,-1865.jpg
General-Benjamin-Harrison-in-uniform,-1865.jpg
File:Battle of Resaca--May 13 to 16, 1864.jpg
Battle of Resaca--May 13 to 16, 1864.jpg
File:Benjamin Harrison Home.jpg
Benjamin Harrison Home.jpg
File:Walter Q. Gresham - Brady-Handy.jpg
Walter Q. Gresham - Brady-Handy.jpg
File:Harrison, Hon. B. Pres. Crop.jpg
Harrison, Hon. B. Pres. Crop.jpg
File:Harrison-Morton 1888.jpg
Harrison-Morton 1888.jpg
File:ElectoralCollege1888.svg
ElectoralCollege1888.svg
File:Harrison-inauguration (edit).jpg
Harrison-inauguration (edit).jpg
File:Puck cover 8 May 1889 President Harrison.jpg
Puck cover 8 May 1889 President Harrison.jpg

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