Wichita eagle., 1888-06-26
OUR NOMINEE.

| States, has been in the country service
too long and too prominently to require
an introduction to the American reading
public. Nevertheless brief resume of
his ancestry and his own antecedents
will not be amiss.
General Ben Harrison is grandson of
President William Henry Harrison, who.
as military governor of the northwest,
acquired nearly all Of Indiana by pur-
chase from the Indians, and defeated
Tecumseh at Tippecanoe. That presi-
dents father, Benjamin Harrison. was a
signer of the Declaration of Independ-
ence, and three times governor of Vir-
ginia, and more remote ancestor was
that John Harrison the ''regicide' who
commanded the army when Charles 1.
was enecuted, and was himself executed
in 1860 by order of Charles II.
John Scott Harrison, the son of Presi-
dent Harrison, was the father Of the sub
ject of this sketch.
Benjamin Harrison was born at North
Bend, O., in his grand fathers house,
August 20, 1888. Physically and men
tally vigorous, he early manifested de-
sire to begin an active and independent
career. At sixteen he entered Miami
university, at Oxford, Ohio, and two
years later was graduated. He was a
bright scholar. with an aptitude for
grasping easily the -knottiest problems,
and with a mind that adapted itself
readily to discipline. He had an early
INCLINATION for the legal profession. On
leaving college he began in Cincinnati,
with Hon. 3. Storer as his preceptor. the
study of law, and in 1854 he entered
upon the practice of his profession in
Indianapolis. He was twenty-one,
square shouldered, fair haired, rather
serious, reserved in manner, with no in
heritance except his education and good
name, without acquaintance, but with
wife to provide for. A legislative in
vestigation, in which he secured en-
ployment through the Democratic gov
ernor, Joseph A. Wright, brought him
into notice. The ability he displayed
won for him the highest praise of law
y
abilities were fully occupied. He soon
acquired the reputation of consumate
skill in the preparation of cases, became
an expert examiner of witnesses, dis
cussed legal questions in written briefs
or oral arguments with convincing logic
and became oneof the leaders of his
profession as an advocate.
1t was inevitable that he should drift
into politics. With many young men of
generous impulses he joined the Repub
lican party and with superior oratorical
ability soon became known as one of the
best and most fearless Republican speak
ers. 1t amazed the Democrats of the
state to see him challenge Mr.. Thomas
A. Hendricks to "divide time" but it
was afterward declared by the chairman
Of the meeting that he chad never
heard a man skin an opponent as
quickly as Ben Harrison did Hen
bricks that day." In 1860 he was can
didate for reporter of the supreme court,
and in the Lincoln campaign of that year
he was elected. He cared little for the
office except for the opportunity that it
gave him to continue in the study of his
profession at an increase of income.
The outbreak of the rebellion soon
dragged him from the life of the citizen
to that of soldier. Governor Morton,
in July, 1862, asked him to assist in re-
cruiting regiment under the PRESIDENT
call for 100000 three-year troops. He
received the first commission for the
Seventeen regiment, and as second lieu
tenant inspired such enthusiasm wher-
ever he went that he soon raised COM
pany A, was made captain, helped to fill
up the other companies of the regiment,
and in less than month had completed
it and was at its head as colonel, ready
to go the front. Governor Morton signi-
fled willingness to accept his resigna-
ton if he chose to remain at home
and hold his civil Office. But
Colonel Harrison preferred the
military service. Once chosen,
he devoted himself to that career
with all his ability. He served through
Kentucky and Tennessee up to January,
1864, when his regiment was assigned to
the first brigade of the third division of
the twentieth army corps. His services
had been highly honorable to him up to
this time, but he had not yet reached his
highest honors. He was ordered to lead
the assault at Resaca on May 10th, 1864.
The duty was calamity performed, his
command rushing irresiStibly over the
enemy's terrible lines, and capturing
both lines and guns. At Peach Tree
creek, while commanding his brigade
his soldierly qualities drew from his COM
manding officer, General 10" Hooker,
the most enthusiastic praise. On the
battle field he declared that he would
make Colonel Harrison brigadier general
for his part in the fight. And he wrote
a dispatch to Secretary of War Stanton
in which he recommended his promotion, |
complimented his brigude for its dis
cipline, praised him for his wisdom, |
foresight and valor, and advised his
promotion as just recognition of his |
services and martial accomplishments. |
He served through the war to its close. |
He took part in the seige and battle of |
Nashville, was at the surrender of |
Johston. and with his command par
in the final review of the Union |
forces at Washington before the great |
army became once more a part of the |
common body of citizens.
While he was away from Indiana the |
supreme court, Democratic in compost |
ton, declared vacant the office of |
court reporter, to which Harri- |
son had been elected. Another reporter |
was elected. In the fall of 1854, after /
Atlanta had fallen, ne took his first leave /
of absence The state convention had /
him again for the place from |
which he had been ousted. Reaching |
home, he devoted himself so effec- |
lively to the work of the campaign /