Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1888-07-05

Cen Benjamin Harrison was born at North
Bend, Hamilton county, Ohio, August 90,
1888. He is Of English descent one Of his
ancestors being friend and counselor OF
Oliver Cromwell, taking part in the trial and
execution of King Charles l. Shortly after
this period the Harrison family immigratcd
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 indie
pendenee thrice elected Governor of Virginia
and 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 10. 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 thestump,
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 800. 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 HaT-
rison a second-heutenant. He was made cap
tain of Co. A as soon it was recruited, and
when the whole regiment was filed he was Sc
lccted cololiel
Gov. Morton offered to send some one else
into the field in order that Harrison might
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 90
the first brigade tWard'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 enemy's line and
four guns, and at Peach Tree Greek his bray-
cry was such that Gen. Hooker recommended
him 10 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 1884, with orders TO report to Gov.
Morton. During that 80 days he again made
n 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 1850
elected United States senator for Indiana as
the SUCCESSOR of Joseph f. Mcdonald, and
took his seat on March 4, 1881.
LEW P. NoHros.
Levi Parsons Morton is in all respects a
selfmade man. He was born May 10, 1924,
at Shoreham in Vermont Just opposite old
Fort Tieonderoga. His father. Daniel Oliver
Morton, was a Congregational clergyman at
Sboreham and Springfield in Vermont, Win
chendon, Mass, and Bristol n. ii. His
death occurred at the latter place in 1852.
The income Of a country minister IL never
large, but in the case OF Rev. Mr. Morton it
was made to serve the purpose of supporting
his family as well as 20 give his six hildren a
start in the world. 1t was not great lift TO
he sure, but courage, pluck aud talent did
the rest in the case of Levi r. Morton. At
twenty years of age he found himself the pro-
prietor OF a small store in Hanover, n. ii. Ii
was a general store. with little Of every
thing for sale over the counter.
uolng soon AFTERWARDS 10 New 1Ork, he
made a fortune in the dry goods business,
and then became banker. He was the head
OF the firm Of Mo-ton. Bliss & Co., and is q
thorough business man-shrewd, enterprising,
liberal and intelligent.
During the war, in the dark days of s62-3,
he was one Of the firmest supporters Of the
Union. He never feared, as others did, that
the United States might not be able 10 repay
the money needed to carry on the war.
After the war Returned his attention to po-
litical affairs, and joined the Republican
party. Mr.. Morton was elected TO congress
from the Eleventh district OF New York The
district had been strongly Democratic, but
his majority was over 1000. He was re-
elected two years after. President Garfield
nominated him as minister to France, which
was unanimously confirmed by the senate in
March 1881. Tho vacant seat thus created
in the house Of representatives was filed by
Roswell p. Flower. In May 1881, Mr.. Nor
ton was appointed honorary commissioner
general to the Paris International exhibition
Of electricity.