• William Harrison
Born on February 9, 1773 in a Berkeley plantation in Virginia, William Henry Harrison was the ninth president of United States of America. Henry was the youngest son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Harrison. He studied history and classics at the Hampden-Sydney College in Hanover Country, Virginia. Henry was also sent to Philadelphia to study medicine, but halted with his father death in 1791.
• Harrison’s Family
Benjamin Harrison, William Harrison’s father, served as a governor for three terms in Virginia and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. William’s mother, Elizabeth Bassett was famously admired because their family was one of the richest during their time. Their family had huge influence politically.
• Youngest Son
William Harrison was the youngest among the seven children of his parents. During that time the family riches would all be given to the oldest son, with the younger siblings entering military, clergy, or trade. William entered the military which opposed his father orders that he should become a physician.
• Military Career
William Harrison first served in the First Infantry of the Regular Army under General “Mad Anthony” Wayne in his military career. He was soon promoted from the lowest ranks to captain and when General Wayne died, from captain to commander of Fort Washington. In 1809, he was appointed as the governor of the Indian Territory (modern day Indiana and Illinois) by President John Adams.
• Battle of Fallen Timbers
The soldier William Harrison played a huge role at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. Because of his skills, General Wayne cited him in his speech as one of the major keys that helped win that previous battle. The Battle of Fallen Timbers ended the strong Native American (Indians) presence at the Northwest Territory opening it up for colonization.
• Land-Grabbing Treaties
During his time as a governor, William Harrison had legally taken away over 51 million acres of land from the Native Americans. It was in the year 1802 to 1805 that drunken Indian chiefs has been persuaded to sign treaties that took almost one-third of modern-day Illinois for just a penny per 200 acres of land.
• Battle at Thames River
The Battle at Thames River ultimately relieved United States from the threat of Native tribes. The Indian and British joined forces (also an enemy of America during that time due to territorial conflicts) and were cornered at the Thames River, at the modern Kent Country. The hostile forces were outnumbered three to one, forcing the British general to flee the battlefield and causing the Indian chief to be killed.
• His Presidency
William Henry Harrison left the military and pursued his political life in Ohio. He served the U.S. House of Representatives from 1816 to 1819, won a place in Ohio Senate from 1819 to 1821, and the United States Senate from 1825 to 1828. He ran for presidency under Whig party and won the presidential election on his second attempt versus the Democrat, Martin Van Buren.
• Sudden Death
During his time at the presidential office, William Harrison caught a cold which then developed into Pneumonia. He died one month after his inauguration and was buried near his home in Ohio. William was the first U.S. President who died in his office.
• First Lady
The ninth president of the United States married Anna Symmes which he met in Fort Washington. They had 10 children with only four had lived to see their father sit at the White House and only two lived at most 40. Their grandson, Benjamin Harrison, became the 23rd president of U.S.A.