Benjamin Harrison

Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd president. He served from 1889 to 1893 — the four years between Grover Cleveland’s two terms. He was a Republican from Indiana, a Civil War Union general and a senator before the White House. People called him the Human Iceberg because he seemed stiff and formal. He was about 5 feet 6 inches, one of the shortest presidents, and he often wore gloves. Friends said he was warmer in private. He was the grandson of President William Henry Harrison, the 9th president — the only grandson of a president to win the office.

Six new states joined the Union on his watch: North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming. The map filled in fast in 1889 and 1890. He signed the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, which gave the government a tool to limit giant companies that crushed competition. He also worked to expand the Navy, backing a stronger steel fleet. The Land Revision Act let presidents set aside forest reserves — an early step toward national forests. Ellis Island opened in 1892 as a gateway for immigrants in New York Harbor.

In 1888 Harrison lost the popular vote but won the Electoral College against Cleveland. Critics talked about a “Billion Dollar Congress” because it was the first Congress to spend a billion dollars. The McKinley Tariff of 1890, named for then-Congressman William McKinley, raised tariff rates on many imported goods. Electric lights went into the White House; the Harrisons were nervous about touching the switches. In 1892 he lost to Grover Cleveland. Voters sent Cleveland back, and Harrison’s four years sat between Cleveland’s two terms.