Benjamin Harrison facts for kids

Benjamin Harrison Facts For Kids -  social studies skills studied in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th grades.

The 23rd President of the USA

Born on August 20, 1833, Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the USA. He also happened to be the grandson of Willian H Harrison, the 9th President. Harrison was a popular lawyer, a church leader and a politician as well in Indianapolis. He also served as a colonel in the union army 

Early Life
Benjamin’s family was famous even when he was a child. His grandfather was the president of the USA when he was just 7 years of age. His father was a congressman too. Benjamin grew up on their farm and his childhood was mostly spent outdoors, hunting and fishing.
Benjamin studied in a schoolhouse that was just a single room. After graduating from the University of Ohio, he and his wife moved out to Indianapolis in Indiana. There, he became a lawyer after passing the bar exam. He continued working as a lawyer till the civil war happened. It was then that he joined the Union Army. He rose in the ranks to become a brigadier general, before he left in 1865

Growth
Benjamin then became the reporter at Indiana’s Supreme Court and also began getting involved in the activities of the Republican Party. Twice, he tried to become the governor and also tried to get elected as senator once, but failed. Finally, in 1881, he was elected to the Senate. He was a Senator for six years before he was nominated for President in 1888, by the Republican Party. He campaigned regularly from his home speaking to typically small crowds that gathered there. He managed to defeat the Democrat, Grover Cleveland, and became President of the USA. Continue reading below>>>

Events and achievements during presidency

• President Harrison’s term in office, from 1889 to 1893, was rather uneventful. Some of his achievements and accomplishments are given below:
• Budget: Under Harrison’s presidency the federal budget exceeded $1 billion for the very first time. A large portion of the budget was used to develop the Navy as well as the harbors along the country’s coast.
• More States: During his tenure, six additional states were formed. They were Montana, Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Idaho. However the Democrats were not in favor of the new states because they feared their votes would favor the Republicans.
• Civil Rights: Harrison tried hard to get the civil rights bill legislation passed by Congress but he failed. However, he laid the foundation for the legislation in the future. 
• The Antitrust Act – The Sherman Antitrust law was made to prevent large companies to buy out competing smaller companies and thus creating monopolies. 

Death
Benjamin Harrison returned to his practice of law after his presidency. The highlight of this period was when he represented Venezuela against Britain in a dispute about their boundary. In 1901, he died after being afflicted with pneumonia.
Benjamin Harrison is best remembered for being the president in between two terms of office of Grover Cleveland, whom he had defeated. He is also famous for signing the Sherman Antitrust Act as the President of the USA.