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    William Henry Harrison

    Birth: 2-9-1773

    Death: 4-4-1841

    Nickname: Old Tippecanoe

Biography

William Henry Harrison was born on February 9, 1773, the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Bassett) Harrison in Charles City County, Virginia. Harrison attended Hampden-Sydney College where he studied medicine. He entered the Army in 1798 where he served during the Indian Wars. Harrison was appointed Secretary of the Northwest Territory and Indian Commissioner in 1798. In November 1811, he defeated diverse Native American tribes under the leadership of Shawnee leader Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa near the Tippecanoe River, earning him the nickname "Tippecanoe." Harrison served as a Major General during the War of 1812. He filled the congressional term of John McLean and was reelected to the Fifteenth U.S. Congress in 1816. Harrison served in the State Senate from 1819-1821 and the U.S. Senate from 1825-1828. In 1840, Harrison was elected the ninth U.S. President as a Whig at the age of 67. Harrison married Anna Symmes on November 25, 1795. The couple had ten children. Harrison died one month into his term as President on April 4, 1841, from pneumonia. He was the first U.S. President to die in office.

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Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 

William Henry Harrison was born on February 9, 1773, the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Bassett) Harrison in Charles City County, Virginia. Harrison attended Hampden-Sydney College where he studied medicine. He entered the Army in 1798 where he served during the Indian Wars. Harrison was appointed Secretary of the Northwest Territory and Indian Commissioner in 1798. In November 1811, he defeated diverse Native American tribes under the leadership of Shawnee leader Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa near the Tippecanoe River, earning him the nickname "Tippecanoe." Harrison served as a Major General during the War of 1812. He filled the congressional term of John McLean and was reelected to the Fifteenth U.S. Congress in 1816. Harrison served in the State Senate from 1819-1821 and the U.S. Senate from 1825-1828. In 1840, Harrison was elected the ninth U.S. President as a Whig at the age of 67. Harrison married Anna Symmes on November 25, 1795. The couple had ten children. Harrison died one month into his term as President on April 4, 1841, from pneumonia. He was the first U.S. President to die in office.

Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/h000279
Title of Webpage: 
William Henry Harrison - Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
Website Viewing Date: 
Friday, February 20, 2015 - 11:15
Website's Last Modified Date: 
Friday, February 20, 2015 - 11:15
Citation for Birth Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/h000279
Title of Webpage: 
William Henry Harrison - Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
Website Viewing Date: 
Friday, February 20, 2015 - 11:15
Website Last Modified Date: 
Friday, February 20, 2015 - 11:15
Citation for Death Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/william-henry-harrison/
Title of Webpage: 
William Henry Harrison - The White House
Website Viewing Date: 
Friday, February 20, 2015 - 11:15
Website Last Modified Date: 
Friday, February 20, 2015 - 11:15