Benjamin Harrison
The 23rd president, Benjamin Harrison served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. One of the greatest US presidents, he excelled at international relations and had a good working relationship with Congress during his years in office (1889-1893). While in office, he had the nickname “Little Ben” as he was the great grandson and namesake of founding father Benjamin Harrison. Also the only president to have a grandfather who was a US president as well, Harrison’s grandfather was William Henry Harrison, AKA “Old Tippecanoe”. Memorable for his advocacy and enforcement of African American voting rights, Harrison was also responsible for accepting western states into the Union: Montana, Washington, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming.
Benjamin Harrison
James A. Garfield
The only sitting member of the House of Representatives to be elected president, James A. Garfield was the 20th US president. He served as a major general on the Union side of the American Civil War, having fought in several battles such as Shiloh, Middle Creek, and Chickamauga. During his time in office from March 4, 1881 to September 19, 1881, Garfield accomplished many admirable things like building up the navy and ridding the postal service of corruption. Garfield advocated for universal education systems and was concerned with civil rights, also appointing several African Americans to well-known government positions, such as Fredrick Douglass. Due to an assassination attempt in July 1881 that led to multiple infections, Garfield’s presidency was cut short.
James A. Garfield
