Pages

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Wednesday's Child...Benjamin Harrison


Telling the life stories of those who died too soon...lest they be forgotten.




Benjamin Harrison
Son of Reuben and Harriet Harrison
Crown Hill Cemetery
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana



Benjamin Harrison was the first and only child born to Reuben and Harriet Bright Harrison. He was born in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana on November 21, 1869 (based on his age listed in his obituary).

The following information given for the city of Indianapolis Ward #2 for the 1870 Federal Census was based on those living in the household as of June 1, 1870. 







In this record I found Benjamin listed as 6 months old living with his father Reuben who was listed as a Lawyer. His mother is not recorded. Upon further research I discovered that she had died in February of that same year. 

I then found this published in The Indianapolis Journal later that same year dated Friday, September 16, 1870:

                                                                                                                                                                                        
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana
Friday, September 16, 1870
Page 8 Column 4

Benjamin died of cholera infantum. The modern definition of cholera infantum is 'an acute infectious disease of infancy, characterized by diarrhea, and in severe cases by vomiting, rapid emaciation and extreme prostration.'

Benjamin was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery located in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is buried in a Harrison family plot. Notice his information on the gravestone is incorrect based on both the census and newspaper records. The others listed on the gravestone are an uncle (Temple C Harrison), a cousin (Celia Ellen Harrison*), his mother (Hattie B Harrison) and his half siblings (Florence Harrison and Child of R. E. Harrison).


Benjamin's life ended too soon; his life story too short. But he hasn't been forgotten.



(Benjamin Harrison - Lisa's Maternal 1st cousin 3X removed)



*- See Wednesday's Child - Celia Ellen Harrison - dated October 19, 2016.


Sources: 1870 Federal Census (Ancestry.com); The Indianapolis Journal (newspaperARCHIVE.com); Gravestone Photo Information (Eric McGuire-FindAGrave Contributor #46925829-September 2015-Used with permission).



Wednesday’s Child blog postings include photos of gravestones of children. A sad topic but posts can give life to the stories of these young souls.
Wednesday’s Child is a genealogical blogging prompt suggested by Thomas MacEntee at GeneaBloggers.





This and all other posts on this blog are © copyright 2016 by Lisa Dillman Wright.
















No comments:

Post a Comment