jane irwin harrison (july 23, 1804 – may 11, 1846) was the first lady of the united states for a very brief period. she was married to william henry harrison jr. william was the son of william henry harrison, ninth president of the united states. as the daughter-in-law of the president, she acted as the first lady for about a month in 1841. she acted as his official hostess during his brief tenure in office, which lasted for a month in 1841. president’s wife anna harrison was very ill, and she could not go out of their home in ohio, when her husband moved to take up the presidency.