Benjamin Harrison

Benjamin Harrison, born on August 20, 1833 in North Bend, came from line of political prominent Americans. One great grandfather signed the Declaration of Independence, his grandfather William Henry Harrison was the 9th President of the United States and his father was a member of the United States House of Representatives. Harrison attended school on his father's farm and graduated from Miami University in 1852. He was admitted to the bar in 1854 and practiced law in Indianapolis. During the Civil War, he attained the rank of brevet brigadier general and fought in several campaigns.

He was defeated for governor in Indiana in 1876 but went to the United States Senate in 1881. His victory over Grover Cleveland in 1888 was the first in which the Electoral College did not select the winner of a majority of the popular vote. During his administration, he signed the Sherman Antitrust Act and the Sherman Silver Purchase Act. Six states were admitted to the union during his administration. He lost the 1892 election to Cleveland and died at Indianapolis on March 13, 1901.