William Henry Harrison 1841

Born: 1773, Charles City County, VA
Died: 1841

The son of patriot Benjamin Harrison, who served as Virginia governor and signed the Declaration of Independence, William Henry Harrison brought political and military experience as well as a proud lineage to the White House. Sadly, he was President only a month before he caught pneumonia and died.

William Henry Harrison joined the Army in 1791 and fought several campaigns against the Indians. As Governor of the Indiana Territory (1801-1813), he helped open up the Ohio Valley for settlement. In the ensuing Indian uprising, he became a national hero when he defeated Tecumseh, the great warrior, at the Tippecanoe River. In the War of 1812, Harrison led American soldiers to several victories in the Northwest. He was a U.S. Senator from Ohio when nominated for the Presidency. Deceptively portrayed as "the log cabin and hard cider candidate" (the Harrisons were a wealthy family), he and his running mate, John Tyler, toured the country, attracting huge crowds chanting "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too." The war hero easily defeated the unpopular Martin Van Buren, but became ill after delivering his inaugural speech in a downpour and died a month later. John Tyler finished out his term.

Ninth President
Whig