Woman of the Century/Anna Symmes Harrison

HARRISON. Mrs. Anna Symmes, wife of William Henry Harrison, the ninth president of the United States, was born near Morristown, N. J., 25th July, 1775, and died near North Bend, Ohio, 25th February, 1864. She was a daughter of John Cleve Symmes. She received a thorough education and was a woman of marked mental powers along many lines. She became General Harrison's wife 22nd November, 1795, without the consent of her father. The marriage was performed during Mr. Symmes' absence from home. The father was soon reconciled to the marriage. During her husband's illustrious career as soldier, as secretary of the Northwest Territory, as territorial delegate in Congress, as governor of the Territory of Indiana, as a leader in the war of 1812 and 1813. as commissioner to the Indians, as a member of the House of Representatives, as a United States Senator, as minister to the United States of Columbia, as county court and state Official in Indiana, and finally as President of the United States, Mrs. Harrison was his helper and guide. She was well informed on political affairs. Her husband was inaugurated President 4th March, 1841, and died on the 4th of the next month. Mrs. Harrison had remained in North Bend, Ohio, on account of sickness, and was unable to attend him in his last hours. She remained in North Bend until 1855, when she went to the home of her son. Her children were John Scott Harrison, born in 1804 and died in 1878 and Lucy B. Harrison, afterwards Mrs. David K. Este, born in Richmond, Va., and died in 1826. Her grandson, Benjamin Harrison, born in 1833, was elected President of the United States in 1888.