The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-02-25
THE NEXT PRESIDENT.
General HarrisOn's Career as q Citizen Of
Indianapolis.

Indianapolis.
BENJAMIN Harrison, who to-day leaves
this city, which has been his home for thir-
ty-five years, to be the ruler of a nation of
over sixty millions of people, was born at
North Bend, o., in the house of his grand
father, William Henry Harrison, after
wards President of the United States, on
the Goth day of August, 1888. His ancestors
emigrated to America from England, and
the first of the family to appear in history
in this country is Benjamin Harrison, who
was signer of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, and three times elected Governor
of Virginia. The next in distinction, sonof
the first Benjamin, was William Henry
Harrison, who won renown as a soldier and
statesman, and was elected President on q
wave of popular feeling as one of the best
beloved men the Nation has known. Presi-
dent William Henry Harrison was the
father of John Scott Harrison, who was the
father of the President-elect. John Scott
Harrison represented the Hamilton county
district of Ohio in Congress, and Jhlled'
other positions of public trust. His son,
Benjamin Harrison, inherited robust in
tellect that matured early. He entered
Miami University, Oxford O., at the age of
sixteen, and was graduated at eighteen.
His teachers and classmates have borne
testimony to his rapid progress as a scholar,
the ability with which he maintained SUI
premacy In college contests. allfOreshadOw-
ing his future success in intellectual con-
fllct. On quitting the college he began the
study of law in Cincinnati with Hon. Bel
lamy Storer, and, in 1854, came to
Indianapolis to begin the practice of
his profession. At that time he was
..,cf fxxa w. oil c1,<
dered young man, with large, well-poised
head and quiet, dignified manner that in
dicated great reserve force. He was al
ready married man, having welded Miss
John Scott. a professor at Oxford. Young
Harrison inherited nothing from his father
but his education. He was poor and un-
known, and as yet lacked opportunity to
show what was in him. Opportunity was
not long coming. He was soon recognized
as rising young lawyer, and employment
came to him. The Republican party was
then just being organized. All young men
of generous impulses were attracted to it.
Benjamin Harrison was Republican by in
stinct and education. His splendid orator
ical powers brought him into demand, and
he soon became known as one of the best
speakers in the State. From 1856 to 1860 he
devoted himself closely to the practice of
campaigns when called upon. In 1860 no
was elected Reporter of the Supreme Court.
In July. 1862. Governor Morton, under
the call of President Lincoln for 100000
to assist in recruiting the regiment from
the Indianapolis congressional district un-
der that call, the Indiana quota being one
regiment from each district. Benjamin
HarrisOn's was the first recruiting commits
sion issued by the Governor for the Seven
tieth Indiana, bearing date of July IA,
1862, and making him second lieutenant.
He inspired enthusiasm wherever he
went, and soon raised Company A,
be which reemenf mt WAS %a@e eo@pee eaptand and
ready to 60 to the front in less than one
month. and Captain Harrison was made it's
colonel. Governor Morton suggested that
it would be too much to ask him to surren-
elected and that he would find some one
else to take the regiment to the field. To
this the young colonel answered that he
would not ask a man to go where he him.
that marked the whole of his military
career. After variety of service in Ken
lucky and Tennessee during the succeeding
eighteen months, up to January, 1861 Col.
Harris0n's regiment was formally assigned
to the First Brigade (Ward's) of the Third
Division of the Twentieth Army Corps, and
with this organization he served until the
close of the war. His regiment was as
signed the duty of leading the assault at
Resaca on May Is, 1854, and most calamity
turing the enemy's lines and four guns. At
Peach Tree creek, while in command of the
brigade, he gained such signal victory as
to call forth the highest praise from Fight
ing Joe Hooker, who. as he rode along the
lines the day after the fight, shaking hands
with the young commander. said: "Harri-
son, I'll make you brigadier-general for
this fight" He was as good as his word,
for in short time Colonel Harrison was
Brigadier-general Harrison.
During his absence in the field the Demo
cratic Supreme Court declared the Office of
Supreme Court Reporter vacant, and anoth-
er person was elected to the position From
| the time of leaving Indiana with his regi-
ment until the fall of 1864, after the capt
ure of Atlanta, General Harrison had taken
| no leave of absence but having been nomi-
mated by the State convention of that year
! for the office from which he had been GUST
| ed, he took thirty-days' leave of absence
] from the War Department and reported to
| Governor Morton for duty. During that
| thirty days he made a brilliant canvas of
| the State and was elected for another term.
| He Immediately went to the front, was IN
| the siege and battle of Nashville, served
| until the surrender of Johnston, and with
his command, took part in the final grand
| review of the Union forces at Washington,
1 at the close of the war.
| In 1868 he resumed the practice of law,
| declining a reelection as Reporter. In 1876,
late in the canvas, he was placed upon the
4 Republican ticket by the State central