Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901)

He was both preceded and succeeded in the Presidency by Grover Cleveland. He was voted in with the Republican Party and served one term with Levi P. Morton as his Vice-President. Born in North Bend, Ohio, he was the grandson of William Henry Harrison, 9th President of the United States - the only presidential grandfather-grandson pair in U.S. history. Before his presidency, Harrison established himself as a prominent lawyer in Indianapolis and served as Colonel of the 70th Indiana Infantry in the Civil War, leading his troops with distinction. He represented Indiana in the U.S. Senate (1881-87) advocating veterans' rights and protective tariffs. Despite losing the popular vote, he won the 1888 Presidential Election, securing victory through the Electoral College. His presidency was marked by significant legislative achievements including the Sherman Antitrust Act which aimed to curb monopolistic business practices, and the McKinley Tariff, which raised import duties to protect American industries.

Under Harrison's administration, six new states joined the Union: North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming. He also oversaw the first Pan-American Conference, strengthening diplomatic ties with Latin American nations. He championed civil rights for African-Americans and supported Federal education funding, though many of his initiatives faced congressional opposition. After losing the 1892 election, he returned to the Harrison House and his law practice in Indianapolis, where he was in high demand as a public speaker. He married Caroline Scott in 1853 and had two children. After she died, he married Mary Lord in 1896 by whom he had one further child.