Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison's Administration was notable for its lack of action. Corruption ran rampant during his tenure, and the federal budget surpassed $1 billion for the first time. Elected 1888
The Early Years
Benjamin Harrison was born at the home of his grandfather, William Henry Harrison, in North Bend, Ohio. Harrison grew up on a farm called The Point, given to his father by his grandfather when the elder man was elected President. Harrison was tutored both at home and in a one-room schoolhouse nearby. Between 1847 and 1850, Harrison attended Farmers' College, a preparatory school in Cincinnati. In 1850, he was admitted as a junior to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1852. From 1852-1854 he studied law.
From 1854 until the Civil War, he practiced law in Indianapolis. In 1857, Harrison was elected Attorney of the City of Indianapolis. He joined the Republican party and was a strong supporter of Lincoln. In 1862, he joined the Union Army as a Second Lieutenant. During the war, he rose to the rank of Brigadier General.
From the end of the war until 1881, Harrison maintained his law practice, while continuing to be active in the Republican party. He ran unsuccessfully for governor. In 1881, Harrison was elected by the Indiana legislature to serve in the Senate. He served for six years. During this time he was a strong supporter of pensions for Civil War veterans. He was a strong supporter of tariffs. Harrison was untainted by any scandals, and this sufficed to make him a good candidate for the Republicans.
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Accomplishments in Office
Harrison's term as President was remarkably unexceptional, and in many ways reflected the unassuming and calm manner of the personality of the President. He was faced with numerous requests for political appointments by Republicans who had been out of power for four years. While Harrison resisted, he could not turn down all the requests. He was unsuccessful in his attempt to extend the Civil Service. During his term the Congress passed the Sherman Anti- Trust Act that was the first law passed to attempt to curb the abuses of monopolies.
Harrison supported the McKinely tariff Act of 1890. This act was extremely protectionist. It set the average tariff at 48 percent. Because of the tariffs the government was building a large surplus. Harrison did his best to spend that surplus on infrastructure projects and an expanded Navy. The Federal governments budget for the first time in peacetime passed 1 billion dollars. During Harrison's term the last major battle with the Indian took place- at Wounded Knee.
Harrison was active in foreign affairs. He helped convene the first Pan American Congress that resulted in the establishment of the Pan American League.
The First Family
Father: Rutherford Hayes
Mother: Sophia Richard
Wife: Lucy Ware Bare
Daughter: Frances
Major Events
Oklahoma Land Rush
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
Womans' Suffrage Groups Merge
McKinley Tariff
The Cabinet
Secretaries of State: James Blain, John Foster
Secretaries of Treasury: William Windom, Charles Foster
Secretaries of War: Redfield Proctor, Stephen Elkins
Attorney General: William H.H. Miller
Secretary of Navy: Benjamin Tracy
Postmaster General: John Wanamker
Secretary of Interior: John Noble
Secretary of Agriculture: Jeremiah Rusk
Military
None
Did You Know?
Wife was the 1st First Lady to finish college.
Celebrated his silver wedding aniversary in the White House.
First President to visit the West Coast.
Wife was nicknamed "Lemonade Lucy" because of her habit of serving only lemonade and soft drinks in the White House.