, 1892-07-25
HIS GREAT GRANDPA
Was One Of the Signers Of Ameri-
can independence.
The Figure That One Family Has
Cut in Politics for Nearly a Half
Century History OF Harrison
for whom President is Named.


Cut in Politics for Nearly a Half
Century History OF Harrison
for Whom President is Named.
NEW YORK, July 25.-The Morning Ad-
yertlser says; The Harrison family, of
which the president is so worthy a repre-
sentative, has figured in American politics
and history for very near a century and
half
In the troublous times which Immediate
ly preceded the final act Of separation be-
tweed the American colonies and Great
Britain the presidents great grandfather
was an active worker in the interests of
liberty, and was opposed in every way to
the oppression which England was excer-
cising to eoerce the colonies to her will.
The Harrisons were located in Virginia
then. Benjamin Harrison, after whom the
president is named, resided at Berkely,
Charles City county, in the family home
stead. 1t was there that he was born in
174O. 1t was In the Old Dominion state
that he arose to political prominence, and
it was as a representative of that state that
he affixed his signature to the declaration
Of independence.
Although not a man of CONSPICUOUS men
tai endowments, Benjamin Harrison was
recognized as one possessed of excellent
judgment, high sense of honor and cOur-
age and cheerfulness that never failed him.
He was quite young when he first en-
tered public life as a member of the house
of burgesses in 1764, and he performed good
service as a member of the committee that
prepared the memorial to the kings, lords
and commons in that year.
A year later, he, together with other
prominent men, opposed the stamp-act
resolutions of Patrick Henry as impolitic.
When the committee of correspondence
which united the colonies against England
was chosen, Benjamin Harrison was among
the first selected to serve upon it. This
was in 1773, and when in Iva delegates to
congress were picked out he was appointed
one of them, and was four times re elected
to a seat in that body.
Harrison was sincere and active laborer
in the work which was to result in the
founding of a nation. As member of all
the Virginia conventions he earnestly ad-
Yocated general united opposition to Great
Britain's demands upon the colonies, and
was in favor of immediate organization to
stand up for what he called colonial rights.
The opposition party was led by Pendleton.
On the 10th of June, 1776 as chairman of
gress, he introduced the resolution that had
been offered three days before by Richard
Henry Lee, declaring the independence of
the colonies.
1t was on the following Fourth of July
that Mr.. Harrison reported the Declaration
of Independence, which document he had
signed.
During the war Mr.. Harrison continued
to take prominent part in politics. and
was enthusiastic in his participation in all
matters pertaining to the good of the cause
of independence.
While his inclination was to exert him
self in legislative halls rather than in the
field, he did not shirk any duty in the
latter.
Upon his return from congress Mr.. Har-
rison became a member of the Virginia
house of delegates under the new consti-
tuition. He was chosen aEhspeaker and
filled that Office until 1791, when be was
elected governor of the commonwealth.
He was elected to that position twice.
In 1873 he was elected to the Virginia
convention, and while there took a decided
stand against the ratification of the federal
constitution. His opinions were the same
as those of Patrick Henry, James Munroe
and others. He maintained that it was
national and not federal government.
When, however, the instrument was
adopted, Mr.. Harrison gave it his hearty
support.
Mr.. Harrison continued a member of the
Virginia legislature up to the time of his
death, which occurred in April, 1871. Soon
after Mr. HarrisOn's death, his youngest
son, William Henry, added new luster to
the family name by his military achieve
ments in the war of 1912 and in sthe Indian
wars. He left the Harrison homestead at
Berkley and located in Ohio. It was at
North Bend in that state that the present
president was born, his father being John
Scott Harrison, the son Of President Will
lam Henry Harrison, who was the third
son of the subject Of this sketch.