THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES FROM OHIO. D URING the first half century of her existence, the new state furnished but one President of the United States, but he a man typical of the "Ohio spirit" and a popular leader of civilizing influences throughout the new Northwest. In the latter half of the century or, since the close of the civil war, every successful candidate for the Presidency upon the Republican ticket; in fact, every man save one, who has been elected to the Presidency from 1864 to 1901; every President since Lincoln, excepting only Grover Cleveland of New York, has been a resident, or a former resident, of Ohio. Two of the number died in office: William Henry Harrison and James A. Garfield. Every one of the illustrious group had won their spurs on the field of battle for the Union, and had sharpened their lances in the halls of the Congress of the United States and were men of wide statesmanship and national reputation prior to their elevation to the highest office in the gift of the American people. The country has signally honored Ohio in selecting her sons to guide the destinies of the Great Republic; Ohio has given of her best and truest whenever and wherever possible to give. The name of him who now sits President of this Republic from Ohio, is not the least among the number of men thus elevated in public duty, conspicuous figures before the world. [See note.] Ulysses S. Grant.. (Born in Ohio, Elected from Illinois,), November, 1868-1872. Benjamin Harrison.... (Born in Ohio, Elected from Indiana), November, 1888.. See Biographical Notes of Presidents Hayes, Garfield, and McKinley, Part One. NOTE. Since the above was put in press the assassination of President McKinley while attending the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, September 6, 1901, has astounded the world and added another illustrious name to the roll of Martyred Presidents. |