The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-06-28
BIOGRAPHY OF HARRISON.


Gen. Benjamin Harrison was born at North
Bend, Hamilton county, Ohio, August 20,
1888. lie is of English descent one of his
ancestors being a friend and counselor of
Oliver Cromwell taking part in the trial and
execution of King Charles I. Shortly after
this period the Harrison family immigrated
to America and the next one that becomes
well known is Benjamin Harrison of Virginia,
who performed an active part in all move
ments of the revolutionary war period, was
one of the signers of the declaration of inde-
pendence, thrice elected Governor of Virginia
and a member of the convention that rati-
fed the constitution. He was the father of
Gen. William Henry Harrison President of
the United States in 1910, and grandfather
Of the present nominee of the Republican
party.
The subject of the present sketch entered
Miami University at Oxford, O., at the early
age of 16. After graduating he went to Gin
cinnati and studied law. In 1854 he removed
to Indianapolis, where he has ever since re-
sided, and commenced the practice of law.
New issues that were constantly being
brought into politics. afforded Mr.. Harrison
the opportunity Of being heard on the stump,
and it was but a few years until he was re-
garded as one of the ablest political speakers
in the state.
In 1860 he was elected reporter of the su-
preme court. In July, 1862, when President
Lincoln issued his call for 500, 900 three-year
troops, Gov. Morton called upon Harrison to
aid in recruiting the regiment for the Sixth
Indiana district. His commission, bearing
date of July IA, 1862, was the first one issued
by the famous war governor, and made Har-
rison q second-lieutenant. He was made cap
tain of Co. A as soon as it was recruited and
when the whole regiment was filled he was Sc
lected colonel
Gov Morton offered to send some one else
.,+<~ +I,<,E E<1I ,,~ ,..,l,k
hold his civil position in Indianapolis. But
this offer was refused and Harrison went in
to the field with his troops. After serving in
Kentucky and Tennessee, the regiment in
January, 1864, was formally assigned to
the first brigade (Ward's) of the third divi-
sion of the Twentieth army corps, with which
body he served until the end of the war. At
Resaca he captured the enemys line and
four guns, and at Peach Tree Creek his brav-
cry was such that Gen. Hooker recommended
him to the secretary of war for promotion,
and he was made brigadier-general.
During his absence in the field the Demo-
cratic supreme court declared vacant the
office of supreme court reporter, and another
person was elected to the position. Leave of
absence was granted Gen. Harrison in the
fall of 1864, with orders to report to Gov.
Morton. During that 30 days he again made
o canvas OF the state, and was reelected for
another term. Then he rejoined the army,
was in the siege of Nashville, served until the
surrender of Johnson, and was with his COM
mand at the final review of the Union forces
in Washington.
In 1868 he declined a reelection as report
er of the supreme court and resumed the
practice of law. In 1876 he became the can
didate of the Republican party for governor,
but owing to acomplication circumstances,
was defeated. 1879 he was appointed on the
Mississippi river convention, and in 1880
,1o Aol 0@<,ko k<x,, I'D
the successor Of Joseph E. Mcdonald, and
took his seat On March 4, 1881.
1 LEVI z. MORTON.
Levi Parsons Morton is in all respects q
selfmade man. He was born May Is, 1924,
at Shoreham in Vermont, just opposite old
Fort Ticonderoga. His father, Daniel Oliver
Morton, was Congregational clergyman at
Shoreham and Springfield in Vermont, Win
chendon, Mass, and Bristol, N. II. His
death occurred ut the latter place in 1859.
The income of q cous-try minister is never