Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1893-11-10
Sketch of His Career

Sketch of His Career
Carter Henry Harrison was born in Favette
County, Kentucky. February %, 1925, Tho
name was conspicuous i'll Virginia during
Colonial period. Carter II. Harrison, the
Murdered mans great-grandfather was
e brother of Benjamin Harrison. the singer of
sf'claratiOn OF Independence and father Of
y esldent William Henry Harrison. Robert
Carter Harrison. the grandfather of the
Mayor. settled in Kentucky i'll 1872 HIS
father and grandfather were graduates of
William and Mary College.
When he was eight years old Carter Harri-
sons father died, leaving his family in COM
Portable circumstances. When he was fifteen
Carter was placed under the tuition of DO
tor Lewis Marshall. brother of the Chief Jus
tice and father of the famous kentuckian
orator, Thomas T. Marshall. In lS45 he was
graduated from Yale College. He then
studied law, but did not practise A short
time leisureIy spent on his fathers farm, SIX
miles from Lexington, was followed by a trip
to Europe in 1851. when he visited En-lant
Ireland and Scotland and other parts Of
Europe, and passed into Egypt, AMI in com
pany with Bayard Taylor explored Syria and
Asia-Minor.
In the latter year he camc t. Chica 70.
Real estate transactions from that time tor-
ward engaged his attention. aside from his
political ventures. His political life began
in 1871, when he was elected County Com.
missioner. In 1872 he was nominal ed by the
Democrats for Congress, and elected by
a majority of eight votes. At the time he
! was nominated he was travelling with
his family in Germany, Austria. the Tyrol
! and Switzerland. He at once came home TO
represent his district, but in 1875 went back,
! and after travelling through Northern Eu-
rope, ended his trip in Paris. His family
| went to Germany and he came to Chicago,
| only 10 be recalled by the death of his wife.
| While absent be was reelected to Congress.
| In 1879 Mr.. HarrisOn's name was first sug-
| gested for the MayOralty, and in April fol
lowing he was elected to the Office by a ma
| iority of over 5000. La 1881 he was reelected
| by majority of 5000. In 1888 Mr.. Harrison
was reelected by an increased majority In
the fall of 1884 he became a candidate for
Governor of the State of Illinois, but was de-
feated by Governor Oglesby.
In the spring Of 1885 he was reelected
Mayor of Chicago. Again in 1893 notw,th-
standing the fact that he was generally held
responsible for the Democratic defeat OF
1891, he received the regular nomination of
that party for Mayor after a memorable fight,
and was elected over S. W. AilertOn.
Chicago was the theme and inspiration of
Carter HarrisOn's last public address Barely
nine hours before he died. with rugged pres
ence, eloquent fire, bright eye, AMI inspiring
voice. he said il his characteristic vein that
he had taken II new lease of life. and "x
pected himself to live to see the day when
CnlCaSO WOulu DC I1e Dl!SStSt tit Ill hlLtiIIh
and the third city on the face Of the globe.
He was addressing the Mayors of cities.
assembled in Music Hall in recognition Of
American Cities day at the Exposition. Those
who had heard Mayor Harrison many times
remarked that never had he seemed moro
vigorous in strength or happier in address.
With the lappeIs Of his coat thrown back
and with one hand in his pocket he began
his speech. He finished his warm welcome
to the visitors in these significant and char
acteristic last public words
"Chicago-that could never conceive what
it would not attempt, and has yet found
nothing that it could not achieve
Recently Mayor Harrison became engaged
to Miss Anna B. Howard, of New Orleans,
daughter of the founder Of the Louisiana
State lottery, and had be lived two weeks
longer they would have been married.
She is a beautiful woman. and the acknsW!-
edged belle of the Crescent City. Mr.. Har-
rison met Miss Howard while she was the
guest of his son. Preston Harrison, publisher
of the Chicago Times Although there was
a great disparity in ages, the two fell deeply
in love.
The wedding was to have been one OF
regal splendOr. Mr.. Harrison had chartered
a train and intended after his term ran out
to take another trip around the world. Her
father was said to have left fortune OF TzO,
OOO, 900 at his death. She inherited one-hIth
of the estate.