Former President Benjamin Harrison Advises His Son Russell to Avoid Temptations and Turn to Religion – and God

Showing the depth of his own faith, he writes: “It’s well to be diligent in your business and you know how anxious I am that you should succeed but my dear boy there are things of vastly greater importance. You ought to give more thought to your religious life and duties…. Young men are so prone to think there is no danger and to forsake the only safety – God’s grace and help”

Benjamin Harrison was born in 1833 in North Bend, Ohio, to a prominent family that had a legacy of political activism. He was the great-grandson of a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, and grandson of the nation’s 9th President, William Henry Harrison. Raised on a farm adjacent to his grandfather’s vast estate, Harrison believed he was destined for greatness, and ended up following in his grandfather’s footprints as President.

In 1853 Harrison married Caroline Lavinia Scott, and they moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, the following year. There he began his own law practice, and got involved in Republican politics. The Harrisons had a son Russell and a daughter Mary.

During Benjamin Harrison’s presidency, Russell was his father’s aide and secretary, and Russell’s wife assisted the First Lady from the time Caroline became ill up to the time of her death in the White House in 1892. After the term ended, both the President and son Russell returned to Indiana, where the latter practiced law. Russell served in the Spanish-American War, and was responsible for overseeing the evacuation of Spanish troops from Cuba. In 1894, he was president of the Terre Haute Street Railway Company. That same year former President Harrison was representing an Indianapolis street railroad company trying to compete with an already established one, the result of which decision would either encourage or discourage competition in the field.

The father’s relationship with the son was complicated, yet they remained close, with the son often asking his father for money and advice throughout his career.  The elder Harrison was frank with his son, and often stern, a reflection of the definite strains in their relationship.  More than anything, Benjamin Harrison’s correspondence with his son shows the personal side of the former President, a side which reveals him as a religious person whose family relationships mattered to him. These things we see here, more than business and politics, were what was truly important to him.

Autograph letter signed, July 12, 1894, to Russell, faulting him for not keeping in touch, mentioning the street railroad case, and vouching for his deep interest in Russell’s success. He also expresses his concern that Russell was paying too much attention to worldly affairs and not enough to religion, was yielding to temptations, and stating that he was praying for Russell.

“My dear Son, I hoped to get out to see you before I went East but for several weeks I have been very busy, preparing for the argument in the street railway case, and only today finished revising my argument for the printer. I hope we will gain the case. Certainly we had a decided advantage in the argument.  If we succeed in the main point, it will make all street property in the state much more valuable.  

“You ought once in a while to let me hear from you and from your family.  I have been not a little concerned about you since my visit to Terre Haute. It’s well to be diligent in your business, and you know how anxious I am that you should succeed – but my dear boy there are things of vastly greater importance. You ought to give more thought to your religious life and duties. And it pained me very much to hear you swear when I was with you.  I have known Terre Haute for many years and there are dangers to a young man there that you must avoid. If I could talk with you I would explain more fully.  But you will understand what I mean, and in some degree appreciate my solicitude for you. I have prayed very much for you that you might be kept from evil.  Young men are so prone to think there is no danger and to forsake the only safety – God’s grace and help. I expect to go to New York tomorrow and will be for a couple of weeks with Mame – “The Hawthorne, 128 West of 59th St.” is the address. With much love, your father, Benj. Harrison.” Comes with the envelope addressed in his hand.” With the envelope in his hand marked “Personal”.

Harrison won the street railroad case, which must have pleased his son, as it afforded a better opportunity for new railroad entrants.

This unpublished letter was acquired directly from the Harrison descendants and has never been offered for sale before.