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Benjamin Harrison

Benjamin Harrison Papers
L63, B35, OB5
1852-1900
4 mss. boxes, 2 o.s. folders
Manuscript Section, Indiana Division
Indiana State Library

Processed by: Christina Baich, February 2006


 

Biographical Note:

Benjamin Harrison was born on August 20, 1833, in North Bend, Ohio. His father, John Scott Harrison, was a U.S. Representative from Ohio, and his grandfather was William Henry Harrison, ninth President of the United States. Benjamin Harrison was raised in Ohio and attended Miami University (Oxford, Ohio). After graduating in 1852, Harrison studied law for two years at a Cincinnati law firm. In 1853, he married Caroline Scott with whom he had two children, Russell and Mary.

After a year of marriage, the Harrisons moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where Benjamin Harrison established a law firm. In 1855, he joined the practice of William Wallace (father of Lew Wallace). He was elected Indianapolis City Attorney in 1857. He also served as reporter for the Indiana Supreme Court. In 1862, Oliver P. Morton asked Harrison to recruit men for the 70th Indiana Volunteers. Harrison served throughout the Civil War and reached the rank of Brigadier General. From 1874 to 1889, he was the law partner of William Henry Harrison Miller. Harrison was narrowly defeated in the 1876 gubernatorial election by James Williams. In 1879, he was appointed a member of the Mississippi River Commission. He served three terms as a U.S. Senator (1881-1887).

In 1888, he was elected President of the United States. Among his accomplishments were the first Pan American Congress and the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Towards the end of his term, his wife Caroline died of tuberculosis. Harrison failed to win reelection in 1892, perhaps partially due to his distraction from the campaign when his wife died. After leaving office, he returned to Indianapolis and his law practice. In 1896, he married Caroline’s niece, Mary Lord Dimmick. He served as senior counsel for Venezuela in its boundary dispute with Great Britain before an arbitration tribunal in Paris (1899). He remained an active writer and lecturer until his death on March 13, 1901, of pneumonia.

Sources:

American President: Benjamin Harrison. Miller Center of Public Affairs. 2 Mar. 2006.  

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. 2 Mar. 2006.

"Harrison Family." President Benjamin Harrison Home. 2 Mar. 2006. 

Scope and Content Note:

The bulk of the collection consists of invoices and receipts for Harrison’s personal and household expenses in Indianapolis (1893-1897) and for expenses incurred in the construction of his Indianapolis home (1874-1875).

The correspondence includes Harrison’s letter (1896-1900) to his law partner, W. H. H. Miller, regarding Republican Party politics, Harrison’s work in the Venezuelan boundary dispute, investments, and family and personal matters; letters regarding a federal appointment for his son, Russell B. Harrison (1875-1881); letters and invitations relating to the Harrison’s social life in Washington, D.C. (1889-1893); copies of letters to Judge R. S. Taylor; and scattered letters regarding politics and Harrison’s writings.

Other items include notebooks containing names and notes on political supporters (1881); campaign materials and programs from Harrison’s presidential campaign and inauguration (1888-1889); two articles written by Harrison about life in the White House (1897); biographical pamphlets printed during his presidential campaign and shortly after he was elected (1888-1889); and the “Catalogue of Library and Index to Vocal and Instrumental Music” by Lizzie S. Lord, Caroline Scott Harrison’s niece (1866).

The collection is organized into correspondence, speeches, other printed materials, and financial records. The correspondence, speeches, and financial records are organized chronologically as is each type of printed material.

Box and Folder Listing:

Box 1, Folder 1.  Correspondence, 1858-1880 & Speeches, 1882-1898
1858 July 27 Harrison, Benjamin to Will Cumback, typed copy, 2 p.
1862 Dec. 22 Harrison, Benjamin to Secretary of State of Indiana, ALS, 1 p.
1863 Sept. 28 Harrison, Benjamin to Governor Oliver P. Morton, ALS, 1 p.
1864 July 8 Harrison, Caroline Scott to her brother, ALS
1875 Dec. 11 Bristow, B. H. (Secretary of the Treasury) to Benjamin Harrison, ALS
1878 July 11 Linderman, H. R. to Benjamin Harrison, LS, 2 p.
1878 Dec. 14 Conkling, Senator Roscoe to Benjamin Harrison, LS
1879 Apr. 14 Burchard, Horatio C. (Director of the Mint) to Benjamin Harrison, ALS
1880 Oct. 16 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS, 2 p.
1880 Nov. 13 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS, 4 p.
1880 Dec. 2 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS, 3 p.
1880 Dec. 14 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS, 3 p.
1880 Dec. 29 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS, 2 p.
Box 1, Folder 2.  Correspondence, 1881-1882
1881 Feb. 11 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS
1881 Mar. 10 Miller, Senator John F. to Benjamin Harrison, LS
1881 Mar. 19 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS, 2 p.
1881 Apr. 7 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS, 3 p.
1881 Apr. 22 Harrison, Benjamin to Col. K. G. Shryock, LS
1881 July 14 Davidson, Thomas to Benjamin Harrison, Photostat copy of ALS, 1 p.
1881 July 16 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS
1881 Oct. 21 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS, 2 p.
1881 Oct. 27 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS, 4 p.
1881 Dec. 6 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS, 2 p.
1881 Dec. 14 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS, 2 p.
1882 Jan. 5 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS, 2 p.
1882 Jan. 14 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS, 2 p.
1882 Feb. 1 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS, 2 p.
1882 May 26 Harrison, Benjamin to L. T. Michener, typed copy
1882 June 5 Windom, Senator William to Russell B. Harrison, ALS
1882 June 24 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS
1882 Aug. 2 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS, 2 p.
1882 Aug. 28 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS, 2 p.
1882 Nov. 13 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS
1882 Dec. 8 Harrison, Benjamin to L. T. Michener, typed copy
1882 Dec. 12 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS
1882 Dec. 30 Harrison, Benjamin to L. T. Michener, typed copy
Box 1, Folder 3.  Correspondence, 1883-1885
1883 Jan. 31 Harrison, Benjamin to S. F. Lockridge, typed copy, 2 p.
1883 Feb. 28 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS, 2 p.
1883 Nov. 20 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS
1883 Dec. 12 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS
1883 Dec. 15 Harrison, Benjamin to H. D. Rogers, LS
1884 Feb. 16 Harrison, Benjamin to L. T. Michener, typed copy
1884 Feb. 18 Harrison, Benjamin to L. T. Michener, typed copy
1884 Feb. 20 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS, 2 p.
1884 Feb. 27 Harrison, Benjamin to L. T. Michener, typed copy
1884 Mar. 28 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS, 2 p.
1884 Apr. 17 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS, 3 p.
1884 June 21 Harrison, Benjamin to General George B. Williams, ALS
1884 July 9 Evans, Walter to Benjamin Harrison, Photostat copy of LS, 3 p.
1884 July 22 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS
1884 July 31 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS
1884 Aug. 1 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS, 2 p.
1885 Feb. 27 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS
1885 Mar. 7 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, ALS
1885 Dec. 5 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS, 2 p.
1885 Dec. 12 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS
Box 1, Folder 4. Correspondence, 1886-1888
1886 Jan. 12 Harrison, Benjamin to Lucius Embree, LS
1886 Feb. 27 Harrison, Benjamin to Lucius Embree, LS
1886 Mar. 11 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS
1886 Mar. 27 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS, 2 p.
1886 Apr. 5 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS
1886 Apr. 7 Harrison, Benjamin to unknown recipient, Photostat copy of LS
1886 Apr. 14 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of LS
1886 June 20 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS, 3 p.
1886 Dec. 30 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, ALS
1888 June 28 Haymond, Creed to Benjamin Harrison, telegram
1888 July 10 Harrison, Benjamin to Gen. Nathan Kimball, TLS
1888 Aug. 16 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of TLS
1888 Oct. 9 Harrison, Benjamin to J. S. Clarkson, TLS, 2 p.
1888 Nov. 15 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of TNS
1888 Nov 29 Belz, Lizzie to Benjamin Harrison, ALS with enclosed certificate from Commonwealth of
                                Virginia signed by Harrison’s great-grandfather
Box 1, Folder 5.  Correspondence, 1889
1889 Jan. 17 Harrison, Benjamin to Senator W. B. Allison, typed copy
1889 Jan. 17 Harrison, Benjamin to Senator W. B. Allison, typed copy
1889 Feb. 4 Harrison, Benjamin to Senator W. B. Allison, typed copy
1889 Feb. 18 Harrison, Benjamin to President Grover Cleveland, typed copy
1889 Mar. 18 Platt, O. H. to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of TLS, 2 p.
1889 Mar. 28 Committee on Centennial Celebration of the Inauguration of George Washington to Benjamin
                                Harrison, typed copy
1889 June 10 Halford, E. M. to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of TLS
1889 July 23 Harrison, Benjamin to R. S. Taylor, Photostat copy of ALS, 2 p.
1889 Aug. 15 Caubert A. to Benjamin Harrison, ANS with enclosed printed letter from Vice President
                                L. P. Morton to Caubert
1889 Nov. 11 Hubbell, O. Z. to S. B. Elkins, TL, 2 p.
1889 Dec. 2 Acknowledgement of receipt of 30 copies of the President’s message signed by
                                William Henry Smith
1889 Dec. Executive Mansion to the Senate and House of Representatives (duplicate)
1889                 Taylor, R. S. to Benjamin Harrison, Photostat copy of AL, 6 p.
Box 1, Folder 6.  Correspondence, 1890-1892
1890 Apr. 9 Gomez, Jose Sanchez (El Capitan General de la Isla de Cuba) to Russell B. Harrison, LS
1890 Nov. 17 Harrison, Benjamin to Howard Cale, typed copy
1891 Feb. 7 Halford, E. M. to George Alfred Townsend, TLS
1891 Feb. 23 Miller, Attorney General W. H. H. to Benjamin Harrison, ALS
1891 Feb. 24 Huston, J. N. to Benjamin Harrison, typed copy
1891 Mar. 20 Halford, E. M. to George Alfred Townsend, TLS
1891 Apr. 13 Harrison, Benjamin to J. N. Huston, duplicate copy
1891 July 13 Morgan, T. J. to the Archbishop of Ireland, TLS
1891 Oct. 19 Huntington, John[?] to Mrs. Harrison, ALS
1891 Dec. 10 Hawley, Joseph R. to Mrs. Harrison, ALS
1891 Dec. 15 Edmundson[?], George to Benjamin Harrison, ALS
1892 Jan. 28 Fuller, Melville W. to Benjamin Harrison, LS
1892 Mar. 10 Harrison, Benjamin to Whitelaw Reid, typed copy, 2 p.
1892 Mar. 10 Harrison, Benjamin to Whitelaw Reid, typed copy
1892 Mar. 17 Harrison, Benjamin to William F. Wharton, duplicate copy
1892 Mar. 17 Harrison, Benjamin to William F. Wharton, typed copy, 2 p.
1892 June 10 Acklan, W. H. to Russell B. Harrison, ALS
1892 June 11 Cook, George M. to Russell B. Harrison, ALS
1892 June 24 Harrison, H. J. to Russell B. Harrison, ALS
1892 Oct. 11 Halford. E. M. to Mrs. Russell B. Harrison, telegram
Box 1, Folder 7.  Correspondence, 1893-1898
1893 July 28 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, ALS
1893 Aug. 5 Ford, Austin E. to Russell B. Harrison, ALS
1894 Aug. 25 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, ALS
1895 Dec. 14 Lenic[?], Mrs. Clay to Benjamin Harrison, ALS
1896 July 14 -
  Nov. 9                   Transcript of letters regarding the Venezuelan boundary dispute with England
1896 Aug. 6 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, ALS
1896 Aug. 16 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, ALS, 2 p.
1896 Aug. 29 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS
1896 Sept. 5 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS
1896 Sept. 14 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, ALS
1896 Sept. 9 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, LS
1896 Sept. 25 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, ALS
1896 Oct. 27 Harrison, Benjamin to W. T. Durbin, telegram
1897 July 27 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS
1897 Aug. 5 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS
1897 Aug. 13 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS
1897 Aug. 30 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS
1898 Aug. 1 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS
1898 Aug. 4 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS
1898 Aug. 23 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS, 2 p.
1898 Sept. 22 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS
1898 Oct. 7 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS
1898 Oct. 19 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS
Box 1, Folder 8.  Correspondence, 1899-1900, undated
1899 Feb. 2 Webster, Richard E. to Severo Mallet-Prevost, typed copy, 5 p.
1899 May 15 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, ALS
1899 May 27 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, ALS
1899 June 8 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS, 2 p.
1899 June 23 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS, 3 p.
1899 July 25 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS, 3 p.
1899 Aug. 28 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS, 2 p.
1899 Sept. 28 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, ALS
1899 Oct. 7 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, ALS
1900 Aug. 22 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, TLS, 3 p.
1900 Aug. 29 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, ALS
1900 Sept. 6 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, ALS
1900 Sept. 18 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, ALS
1900 Sept. 26 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, ALS
1900 Sept. 28 Harrison, Benjamin to W. H. H. Miller, ALS
Mar. 2                 de Mendonca, Marie to Mrs. Harrison, ALS
July 29                 White, H. to Benjamin Harrison, ANS
undated                 Blaine, Harriet to Mrs. Harrison, ALS
undated                 Butterfield, Dave[?] to Russell[?] B. Harrison, ALS
undated                 Logan, Mary S. to Mrs. Harrison, ANS
Box 1.
Folder 
9. Notebooks, 1881
10. Speeches, 1882-Feb. 1886
11. Speeches, Mar.-Sept. 1886
12. Speeches, 1888
13. Speeches, 1891
14. Speeches, 1892
15. Speeches, 1893-1896
16. Speeches, 1897-1898
 
Box 2.  Printed materials, 1852-1897 & Financial records, 1874-1894
Folder 
1. Campaign materials, 1888 and 1892
2. Programs, 1852-1893
3. Biographical pamphlets, 1888-1889
4. Life of Grandfather and Grandson, 1889
5. “Life in the White House” articles by Benjamin Harrison, 1897
6. Financial records, 1874
7. Financial records, 1875
8. Financial records, 1880-June 1893
9. Financial records, July-Sept. 1893
10. Financial records, Oct.-Dec. 1893
11. Financial records, Jan.-Mar. 1894
12. Financial records, Apr.-July 1894
13. Financial records, Aug.-Dec. 1894
Box 3.  Financial records, 1895-1896
Folder 
1. Financial records, Jan.-Mar. 1895
2. Financial records, Apr.-June 1895
3. Financial records, July-Aug. 1895
4. Financial records, Sept.-Dec. 1895
5. Financial records, Jan.-Mar. 1896
6. Financial records, Apr.-June 1896
7. Financial records, July-Sept. 1896
8. Financial records, Oct.-Dec. 1896
Box 4.  Financial records, 1897-1898, undated & Library Catalogue
1. Financial records, Jan.-Mar. 1897
2. Financial records, Apr.-June 1897
3. Financial records, July-Aug. 1897
4. Financial records, Sept.-Oct. 1897
5. Financial records, Nov. 1897-Jan. 1898, n.d.
6. Lizzie S. Lord’s Catalogue of Library and Index to Vocal and Instrumental Music, 1866 Dec. 25
B 35
1 Folder.
1889 “The President’s Home: Portraits of the Family and Biographical Sketches”
OB 5
Folder 5.
1888 Jan. 9 Mortgage from Benjamin Harrison and wife to Cyrus C. Hines and Maria L. Hines
1889 June 21 Special passport issued to Russell B. Harrison by the U.S. State Department

Collection Information:

Size of Collection:
4 manuscript boxes, 2 oversized folders
 
Collection Dates:
1852-1900
 
Provenance:
Various purchases
 
Access: This collection is open for research.
Restrictions:
None
 
Reproduction Rights:
Permission to reproduce, exhibit, or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Manuscript Section, Indiana State Library.  Possession of a reproduction from an Indiana State Library collection does not constitute permission for use.
 
Language Materials are entirely in English
Alternate Formats:
None
 
Related Holdings:
S55, President Benjamin Harrison Home Collection
S1178, V245, Collection on Benjamin Harrison
MF, Benjamin Harrison Presidential Papers

Notes:

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