Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana

Crown Hill Cemetery is the third largest cemetery in the United States at 555 acres.  It was established June 1, 1864, and now is the burial ground of three Vice Presidents–Charles W. Fairbanks, Thomas A. Hendricks, and Thomas R. Marshall–an infamous bank robber, John Dilliger, Indiana’s own Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley, and the 23rd President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison.

In the latest survey of historians Harrison falls in the fourth quartile ranking at 33 of the 44  men who have had the title of president.  Though Americans don’t remember his service in the Executive Office, Harrison served admirably as a soldier in the Civil War, as a United States Senator, and as President.  Benjamin Harrison was also a highly successful lawyer, perhaps the most successful attorney to serve in our highest office.

One legacy from his 1888 campaign against Grover Cleveland was a phrase that has made it into the common use.  During the political fray, pols rolled a 14 foot ball sporting numerous campaign slogans through the streets.  From this the expression, “Keep the ball rolling!” became popular.

His monument is a large gray granite block and an example of Victorian ornamentation.

BENJAMIN HARRISON

AUGUST 20, 1833 – MARCH 13, 1901

LAWYER AND PUBLICIST

COL. 70th REG. IND. VOL. WAR 1861-1865

BREVETTED BRIGADIER GENERAL 1865 U.S. SENATOR 1881-1887

PRESIDENT 1889-1893

STATESMAN, YET FRIEND TO TRUTH OF SOUL, SINCERE IN ACTION, FAITHFUL

  AND IN HONOUR CLEAR

President Harrison’s Headstone

The metal marker showing Harrison’s membership in the Sons of the American Revolution honoring his ancestor of the same name, Benjamin Harrison, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.