Benjamin Harrison #23
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Benjamin Harrison
Born August 20th 1833 in North Bend, Ohio
Parents: John Scott Harrison, Elizabeth Ramsey Irwin.
He was the 5th of 13 children.
Grandpa was 9th president William Henry Harrison.
Early life
Family was wealthy.
Grew up on a 600 acre farm given
to his dad from his grandpa.
 Dad was a U.S. Congressman,
witch lead him into politics.
Education.
Harrison went to a log cabin school,
and was later tutored at home.
Attended Farmer’s school.
Later Attended Miami University
(OH) in Oxford, where he studied
law.
Professional Life
Admitted to the BAR in 1854.
He worked as a successful lawyer
for most of his life.
He served in the US Senate from
1881-1887.
Family Life
Wife: Caroline Scott, later Mary
Dimmick
Children: Russell, Mary, Elizabeth
Politics
Harrison was a Republican.
Elected to the U.S. Senate and
served until 1887
Military
 Joined the military in 1862 to fight
in the Civil war.
 Marched on Atlanta with general
Sherman.
Military Continued
 Was promoted to Brigadier
General.
 Left military service after the war to
resume practicing law.
Becoming President
 In 1888, Harrison received the
republican nomination for president.
 “He” selected Levi Morton as his
running mate.
 His opponent was the incumbent
Grover Cleveland.
Becoming President
Continued
 Harrison Lost the popular vote, but
barely won the electoral college.
 Elected president in 1888.
 Lost to Grover Cleveland in the
election of 1892.
Important Actions as
president.
 Passed the Sherman Anti-Trust act.
Stopped trusts and monopolies, but was
not used during his presidency.
 He passed the disastorous McKinely
Tariff, which sought to protect industry
 Passed the Sherman Silver Purchase
Act, which created wrought havoc on the
monetary system.
 Passed dependent and disability
pension act. Helped give benefits to war
veterans who were disabled.
Legacy
 Harrison’s legacy is of mixed
emotion,he is remembered as an
average president.
 Conserved national resources,
tried to protect the civil rights of
African Americans.
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