William Henry Harrison Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Obituary, Children

William Henry Harrison served as the ninth President of the United States, holding the shortest tenure in presidential history, from March 4 to April 4, 1841.

He was the first U.S. president to pass away while in office. Born before American independence,

Harrison was the last President to be a British subject in the original Thirteen Colonies.

Profile

• Full Name: William Henry Harrison
• Stage Name: William Henry Harrison
• Born: 9, February 1773
• Date of death: 4 April 1841 (Aged: 68 years)
• Birthplace: Berkeley Plantation in Virginia, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Politician and 9th U.S. President
• Height: unknown
• Parent: Elizabeth Bassett Harrison and Benjamin Harrison V
• Siblings: 6
• Spouse: Anna Harrison (m. 1795–1841)
• Children: Elizabeth Bassett, John Cleves Symmes, Lucy Singleton, William Henry Jr., John Scott, Benjamin, Mary Symmes, Carter Bassett, Anna Tuthill, and James Findlay
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $7 million

Early Life And Education

William Henry Harrison was born on February 9, 1773, at Berkeley Plantation in Virginia, United States. He was the son of Elizabeth Bassett Harrison and Benjamin Harrison V, a wealthy planter, merchant, and influential politician.

Harrison, the youngest of seven children, grew up alongside three brothers and four sisters in a politically prominent family.

Harrison’s early education was rooted in classical studies.

In 1787, at just 14 years old, he enrolled at Hampden-Sydney College, where he spent three years studying Latin and French. His time there was cut short, possibly due to a religious revival that led his father to withdraw him. Following this, he attended an academy in Southampton County before briefly pursuing medical studies in Richmond.

In 1790, he continued his medical education at the University of Pennsylvania under the mentorship of Dr. Benjamin Rush. Although he came from an elite background, his religious beliefs remain unknown.

Career

William Henry Harrison’s professional career began with his military service, where he quickly distinguished himself. In 1791, he was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Army and assigned to the First American Regiment.

Serving in the Northwest Territory, he played an active role in the Northwest Indian War. By 1793, he was appointed aide-de-camp to General Anthony Wayne, a position that allowed him to gain valuable military experience.

Harrison played a crucial role in the decisive Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794, which led to the defeat of Native American forces and ultimately ended the conflict. His success on the battlefield helped shape his reputation as a strong and capable leader.

In 1798, he resigned from the army to pursue a political career.

Transitioning into public service, Harrison was appointed secretary of the Northwest Territory in 1798. The following year, he was elected the first congressional delegate representing the Northwest Territory in the U.S. Congress.

In this role, he worked to secure policies that encouraged westward expansion. In 1801, he was appointed governor of the newly formed Indiana Territory, a position he held for twelve years. As governor, Harrison was responsible for negotiating treaties with Native American tribes to acquire land for settlers.

His tenure was marked by increasing tensions between Native American groups and American settlers, culminating in the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811, where he led U.S. forces to victory against the confederation of tribes led by Shawnee leader Tecumseh.

After his governorship, Harrison continued his political career, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Ohio State Senate, and later the U.S. Senate. His leadership and military reputation helped him secure the Whig Party’s nomination for President in 1840.

Running on a populist campaign, he won the election and was inaugurated as the ninth president of the United States in 1841. However, his presidency was tragically short-lived. He fell ill and passed away just 32 days after taking office, making his term the shortest in American history.

Social Media

William Henry Harrison does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

William Henry Harrison married Anna Tuthill Symmes On November 25, 1795. Together, they had ten children: Elizabeth Bassett, John Cleves Symmes, Lucy Singleton, William Henry Jr., John Scott, Benjamin, Mary Symmes, Carter Bassett, Anna Tuthill, and James Findlay.

However, their family endured significant hardships, as many children did not live long lives. Only four of them were still alive when Harrison became President in 1841, and just two survived beyond the age of forty.

Net Worth

William Henry Harrison’s estimated peak net Worth was $7 million in 2022 U.S. dollars. Harrison’s wealth came, in part, from marrying into a family of a prominent judge and landowner. Despite his assets, Harrison died penniless, leading Congress to create a special pension for his widow.