BENAMN ARRBON
Benjamin Harrison, known as “Little Ben” because of his
5-foot, 6-inch frame, was the only grandson of a former
President to serve in the same capacity. His grandfather,
William Henry Harrison, had been our ninth President dur
ing the short time he served before his death in 1841. He
was the choice of the Republicans in 1888 largely because
of his popularity as a war hero and because of the famous Harrison name which could be trac
ed all the way back to his great grandfather who was one of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence. Even though he lost the popular vote of the people to the incumbent Grover
Cleveland, he swung enough of the close states to win the Electoral College 233 to 168.
Discontent with economic conditions and failure to satisfy many with his philosophy on high
tariffs led him. down the road to defeat four years later by the same man (Grover Cleveland).
Harrison was born in 1833 on his grandfather’s farm near North Bend, Ohio. His father John,
though not as famous as his grandfather, distinguished himself by serving two terms in Con
gress. He attended Farmers’ College where he met his future wife Caroline Scott, daughter of
a woman’s college president. When the college moved, Harrison transferred to Miami Univer
sity of Ohio to be near “Carrie.” After his graduation, the couple was married in 1853 and
they had two children. As the way with so many other Presidents, Harrison studied law, pass
ed the bar exam and became a prominent lawyer. During the Civil War, the Governor of In
diana appointed him to command the 70th Regiment of the Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His
regiment served under the command of William Tecumseh Sherman, and Harrison
distinguished himself well in battle, rising to the rank of brigadier general. Benjamin Harrison
also helped the Governor of Indiana do political battle against the Copperheads, northerners
who sympathized with the South in the election of 1864.
His political career began as city attorney for Indianapolis. This was followed by a stint in
state politics that eventually led to his running for Governor of Indiana. He lost that election,
but Rutherford B. Hayes appointed him to the Mississippi River Commission, which he served
until he was elected to the United States Senate. James Garfield considered him for a post in
his Cabinet, but Harrison turned it down to keep his seat in the Senate. He earned a national
reputation for reform while in the Senate, and when he was defeated for re-election by In
diana’s Democratic legislature, the timing was right for his entry into the race for the
presidency in 1888. The Republicans were tired of running James Blame. Harrison’s “front
porch” campaign called for high tariffs to support U.S. industry. Notable achievements dur
ing his term as President were the Sherman Silver Purchase Act and the Sherman Antitrust
Act. He also tried to annex Hawaii, but his term of office expired before he got the treaty
ratified. When he ran for re-election in 1892, his popUlarity had dwindled, and he was deeply
saddened because his wife had died. A third party of discontented Republican farmers helped
to take from him the votes he needed for re-election. Benjamin Harrison died in 1901.
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ENAMIN 1!AflflBOI
‘I’
Name
Presidential Trivia
1. What relation was Benjamin Harrison, twenty-third U.S. President, to William Henry
Harrison,
our
ninth
President?
2. The 5-foot 6-inch frame of Benjamin Harrison earned him the nickname
3. The act of legislation passed under the Benjamin Harrison administration that was
designed to protect small businesses by outlawing monopolies was the
Act.
4. Benjamin Harrison distinguished himself in the Civil War by leading a regiment of Indiana
volunteers that were a part of the command of General
5. That political faction of northerners who sympathized with the South during the Civil
War was called_______________________
6. This man’s father and son both became President of the United States.
7. The wife of Benjamin Harrison, Caroline, turned the White House into a literal garden
spot because she loved flowers, her favorite being
8. After Benjamin Harrison’s wife Caroline died, he eventually married Mary Dimmick, who
bore what relationship to Caroline?_____________________________________________
9. Although born in the state of Ohio, Benjamin Harrison’s adult career in law and politics
had
its
base
in
the
state
of
10. The act of legislation under the Benjamin Harrison administration that boosted sales of
silver but had the effect of depleting the nation’s supply of gold was the
11. Benjamin Harrison conducted most of his presidential campaign from his own home,
thus earning the name of a
campaign.
12. What modern convenience never before found in the White House was considered
“convenient” by the Benjamin Harrisons, but not necessary, and frightened them?
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BENJAMIN UARRION
Name
For Thinking and Discussing
1. It is said that Benjamin Harrison was at the precise correct moment in history to win the
Republican nomination for President in 1888. Why was he considered so “appropriate”?
2.
Describe the steps taken by Caroline Harrison to make the White House more “liveable.”
3.
How did the Sherman Silver Purchase Act help to contribute to the financial woe of the
country in the early 1890’s?
4.
What led to the downfall of Benjamin Harrison and his ultimate defeat by Grover
Cleveland in the election of 1892?
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