Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President of the United States, played a pivotal role during a transformative period in American history.
Born into a distinguished family with a legacy of public service, Harrison carried forward the traditions of leadership and civic duty. His presidency, from 1889 to 1893, witnessed significant achievements, including economic reforms, territorial expansion, and conservation efforts.
Known for his commitment to veterans, protective tariffs, and modernization of the U.S. Navy, Harrison’s administration left a lasting impact on the nation. This timeline explores the key events in his life, from his early years in Ohio to his legal career, military service, presidency, and lasting legacy.
Year | Event | Description |
---|---|---|
1833 (August 20) | Birth | Benjamin Harrison is born in North Bend, Ohio, into the prominent Harrison family. |
1852 | Graduation | Graduates from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a law degree. |
1853 | Marriage | Marries Caroline Lavinia Scott. They have two children: Russell and Mary. |
1854 | Move to Indiana | Moves to Indianapolis, where he begins practicing law. |
1857 | City Attorney | Becomes City Attorney of Indianapolis, marking his first public role. |
1862 | Joins Union Army | Enlists as a captain in the 70th Indiana Infantry during the Civil War. |
1864 | Promoted to Brigadier General | Promoted for his leadership during Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign. |
1865 | Post-War Career | Returns to Indiana and resumes his law practice. |
1876 | Runs for Governor | Runs unsuccessfully for Governor of Indiana but gains political influence. |
1881 | U.S. Senate | Elected as U.S. Senator, serving one term (1881-1887). |
1888 | Presidential Nomination | Wins the Republican nomination and runs for president against Grover Cleveland. |
1888 (November) | Elected President | Wins the presidency despite losing the popular vote. |
1889 | Inauguration | Inaugurated as the 23rd President of the United States. |
1889-1890 | New States Admitted | Six new states join the Union: North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming. |
1890 | Sherman Antitrust Act | Signs the Sherman Antitrust Act, the first law addressing monopolies. |
1890 | McKinley Tariff Act | Imposes high tariffs, sparking controversy over rising consumer prices. |
1890 | Veterans’ Pensions | Signs the Dependent and Disability Pension Act, expanding benefits for veterans. |
1891 | Forest Reserve Act | Establishes national forest reserves, laying the groundwork for conservation. |
1892 | Homestead Strike | Violent labor conflict at Carnegie Steel highlights industrial tensions. |
1892 (November) | Loses Re-election | Defeated by Grover Cleveland, who returns to the presidency. |
1892 (October) | Death of Caroline Harrison | Caroline dies of tuberculosis, deeply affecting Harrison. |
1896 | Second Marriage | Marries Mary Scott Lord Dimmick, causing family controversy. |
1900 | Opposition to Philippine War | Speaks out against U.S. colonial policies during the Philippine-American War. |
1901 (March 13) | Death | Dies of pneumonia at age 67 in Indianapolis. Buried at Crown Hill Cemetery. |
Timeline of Benjamin Harrison
1833 (August 20) – Birth
Benjamin Harrison was born in North Bend, Ohio, to John Scott Harrison and Elizabeth Ramsey Irwin.
His family lineage was deeply rooted in American history—he was the grandson of William Henry Harrison, the 9th President of the United States, and the great-grandson of Benjamin Harrison V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
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Raised on a farm along the Ohio River, Harrison was exposed to politics and civic duty from a young age.

1852 – Graduation
Harrison graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he excelled in studies and developed an interest in public speaking, debate, and law.
He studied under the guidance of highly respected professors and became well-versed in classical subjects. His education helped lay the foundation for his legal and political career.
1853 – Marriage
Harrison married Caroline Lavinia Scott, the daughter of a Presbyterian minister. The couple shared a close relationship built on mutual respect and strong religious values.
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Together, they had two children: Russell Benjamin Harrison and Mary Harrison McKee. Caroline played a significant role in Harrison’s personal and political life.
1854 – Move to Indiana
Shortly after their marriage, the Harrisons moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where Benjamin began his legal practice. He quickly gained prominence within the legal community for his strong oratory skills, attention to detail, and work ethic. His reputation grew, leading to appointments that would advance his political aspirations.
1857 – City Attorney
Harrison was appointed City Attorney of Indianapolis, marking his entry into public service. In this role, he provided legal counsel to city officials, handled municipal legal matters, and earned a reputation for integrity and competence. This early experience helped him build connections that would serve him well in his political career.
1862 – Joins Union Army
With the Civil War raging, Harrison felt it was his duty to serve. He helped raise a regiment of volunteers and was commissioned as a captain in the 70th Indiana Infantry. His commitment to the Union cause demonstrated his patriotism and leadership abilities, which would eventually lead to his rise within the army ranks.
1864 – Promoted to Brigadier General
Harrison distinguished himself during the Atlanta Campaign under General William T. Sherman. His leadership and bravery in battle earned him a promotion to brevet brigadier general. His military service solidified his reputation as a leader, which later proved beneficial in his political campaigns.
1865 – Post-War Career
After the Civil War, Harrison returned to Indianapolis and resumed his legal career, becoming one of the city’s most respected attorneys. He worked on cases involving constitutional law and business matters, but he also remained active in Republican Party politics, building a base of supporters for future campaigns.

1876 – Runs for Governor
Harrison ran as the Republican candidate for Governor of Indiana but lost the election. Despite this defeat, he emerged as a key figure within the state’s Republican Party. His popularity among party leaders and voters continued to grow, positioning him for national office.
1881 – U.S. Senate
Harrison was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served one term (1881-1887). He was a strong advocate for protective tariffs, veterans’ pensions, and civil service reform. His legislative record in the Senate helped him gain national recognition and laid the groundwork for his presidential campaign.
1888 – Presidential Nomination
During the Republican National Convention in 1888, Harrison secured the nomination after defeating other candidates, including former nominee James G. Blaine. His campaign emphasized support for tariffs, industrial growth, and veterans’ benefits, aligning with key Republican priorities of the time.
1888 (November) – Elected President
In one of the most contentious elections of the era, Harrison won the presidency by securing 233 electoral votes, despite losing the popular vote to incumbent Grover Cleveland. His victory reflected strong support from industrial states in the North and Midwest.
1889 – Inauguration
Harrison was inaugurated as the 23rd President of the United States on March 4, 1889. His presidency marked the beginning of an active legislative agenda focused on economic growth, modernization, and territorial expansion.
1889-1890 – New States Admitted
Under Harrison’s leadership, six new states—North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming—were admitted to the Union, the most of any presidency since the early 1800s. This expansion reflected the rapid growth and settlement of the western United States.
1890 – Sherman Antitrust Act
Harrison signed the Sherman Antitrust Act, the first federal legislation designed to prevent monopolies and regulate large corporations. Although enforcement was initially weak, this law laid the foundation for future antitrust actions and remains a key piece of economic regulation.

1890 – McKinley Tariff Act
Harrison supported and signed the McKinley Tariff Act, which raised tariffs on imports to protect American industries. While the tariff benefited manufacturers, it was criticized for causing higher prices on goods, contributing to economic dissatisfaction among consumers.
1890 – Veterans’ Pensions
Harrison signed the Dependent and Disability Pension Act, which significantly expanded pensions for Civil War veterans and their dependents. This policy demonstrated his commitment to veterans but also contributed to increased federal spending.
1891 – Forest Reserve Act
Harrison signed the Forest Reserve Act, which authorized the president to establish national forest reserves. This marked the beginning of federal conservation efforts and played a critical role in the preservation of public lands.
1892 – Homestead Strike
During Harrison’s presidency, the violent Homestead Strike at the Carnegie Steel Company in Pennsylvania highlighted the growing tensions between labor and industry. The strike resulted in several deaths and brought national attention to labor rights issues.
1892 (November) – Loses Re-election
Harrison was defeated by Grover Cleveland in the 1892 election. Economic dissatisfaction, backlash over the McKinley Tariff, and labor unrest were key factors contributing to his loss. Cleveland returned to the presidency, becoming the only president to serve nonconsecutive terms.
1892 (October) – Death of Caroline Harrison
Shortly before the election, Caroline Harrison died of tuberculosis, deeply affecting Benjamin. Her death cast a shadow over his re-election campaign, and many believed it contributed to his subdued public appearances.
1896 – Second Marriage
Harrison married Mary Scott Lord Dimmick, his late wife’s niece. The marriage caused controversy within the family due to the age difference (she was 25 years younger) and the close familial connection. However, the couple remained devoted to each other.
1900 – Opposition to Philippine War
Harrison publicly opposed U.S. colonial expansion, particularly during the Philippine-American War. He criticized the imperialistic policies of the McKinley administration, arguing that they contradicted America’s founding principles of self-determination and liberty.
1901 (March 13) – Death
Benjamin Harrison died of pneumonia at the age of 67 in Indianapolis. He was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery next to his first wife, Caroline. His death marked the end of a life dedicated to public service, and his legacy as a defender of veterans, tariffs, and modernization lives on.