v BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW -OP"- D A M COUMTY, Containing Biograpljicnl 6kctcl)cs of |3ioncci5 anb ficabing vEiti^cns. 'Biography is i. only true history." ■■Emeri'nn. %\ BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW PUBLISHING CO. 1893. / f ? Cv=^ PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. Geiirge VVasliingtou (! John Adams 14 Thmnas .Ietfei-s(ui 20 James Madison ~9 James Monroe -^3 Jolin Quinc)' Adams 38 Andrew Jackson 47 Martin Van Buren 53 William Henry Harrison 56 Jobn Tyler 60 James K. Polk 64 Zaubary Taylor 68 Millanl Fillmore 13 Franklin Pierce — 76 James I!nchanan 80 Aliialiara Lincoln 84 Andrew Jolmson 93 Ulysses S. Grant 96 U.IS Hayes 103 J. A. Garfield 1U9 Chester A. Arthur 113 Grover Cleveland 117 Lienjamin Harrison 130 -i.v- 0^^ HIOGl^APHIGAL SI^ErnGHES. A AbboU, C. K ;{11 AdaiTia, C. ' : 247 Adams, II. C H78 Adrnns, liewis li ;i07 AiiiHWorlh, Mrs. .1. W 128 Alloi-d, JjiliHs 524 Aliiie, 11. () 512 Anderson, Miitlliew 540 Andei-Kiin, N 217 Aniierson, K. H 443 Angell, W. II 168 Ariiuis, Charles 541 Alkins, Tlinmas 554 Atkinson, \V. H 175 Alwood, |)Hvid 365 B Babcock, I). I. 268 Habcock, S. i\I 201 Haoon, ICliza 314 Baker, , I. V 483 Baker, Otis 555 Baldwin, P 384 Bancioft, II V 343 Barlsrh, A. W 134 Biisbfonl. K. M 221 'Beat tie, 'riionias 172 Becblel, Daniel 324 Beck. J. L 338 Beebo, II. H 166 Bell, Alinon 402 Bennett, Eijbert 5.53 Benson, W. B 470 Bernard, ( 'barles 456 Bird, A. A 241 Bird, (J. W 270 Bird, Ira W 418 Binl, Kale |{ 41!) Birrenkott, A 337 Blake, James 438 Blanchard, (\ S 405 Bonner, James 2'28 Bowman, J. A 559 Boyee, A. A 356 Boyre, L. L 331 Hoyce, Keulien 362 Brereton, A. J ... 525 Brown, A. S 180 Brown, O. F 321 Brown, 1>. S 535 Brown, Timotby 317 Bryant, I). I) 4!)8 Bryant, position of his mother the project was abandoned. The family connection with the Fairfaxes, how- ever, opened another career fiir the young man, who, at the age of sixteen, was ap- pointed surveyor to the immense estates of the eccentric Lord Fairfax, who was then on a visit at lielvoir, and who shortly after- ward established his baronial residence at Grccnway Court, in the Shenandoah Valley- PRES/DliNTS OF THE UNITED STATES. Three years were passed by j'oung Wash- inf:^ton in a rous^^h froiitit-r life, gaining ex- perience whicli afterward proved very es- sential io him. In 1 75 1, when the Virginia militia were put under training with a view to active service against France, Washington, though only nineteen years of age, was appointed Adjutant with the rank of Major. In Sej)- tember of that year the failing health of Lawrence Washingtcjn rendered it neces- sary for him to seek a warmer climate, and Ge irge accompanied him in a voyage to Bar xidoes. They returned early in 1752, and Lawrence shortly afterward died, leav- ing hiS large property to an infant daughter. In his will George was namc-d one of the executors and as eventual heir to Mount Vernon, and by the d(^ith of the infant niece soon succeeded to tliat estate. On the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle as Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia in 1752 llic militia was reorganized, and the prov- ince divided into four districts. Washing- ton was commissioned by Dinwiddle Adju- tant-General of the Northern District in 1753, and in November of that year a most imi)ortant as well as hazardous mission was assigned him. This was to proceed to the Canadian posts recently established on French Creek, near Lake Erie, to demand in the name of the King of England the withdrawal of the French from a territory claimed by Virginia. This enterprise had been declined by more than one officer, since it involved a journey through an ex- tensive and almost unexplored wilderness in the occupancy of savage lndi:m tribes, eillu 1 liostile to the English, or of doubtful attachment. Major Washington, however, accepted the commission witii alacrity ; and, accompanied by Captain Gist, he reached Fort Le BfEuf on French Creek, delivered his dispatches and received reply, which, of course, was a polite refusal to surrender the posts. This reply was of such a character as to induce the Assembly of Virginia to authorize the executive to raise a regiment of 300 men for the purpose of maintaining the asserted rights of the British crown over the territory claimed. As Washing- ton declined to be a candidate for that post, the command of this regiment was given to Colonel Joshua Fry, and Major Washing- ton, at his own request, was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel. On the march to Ohio, news was received that a party previously sent to build a fort at the confluence of the Monongahela with the Ohio had been driven back bv a considerable French force, which had Cf)mplctcd the work there be- gun, and named it Fort Duquesne, in honor of the Marquis Duquesne, then Governor of Canada. Tliis was the beginning of the great " French and Indian war,'' wiiich con- tinued seven years. On the death of Colonel Fry, Washington succeeded t(j the com- mand of the regiment, and so well did he fulfill his trust that the Virginia Assembly commissioned him as Commander-in-Chief of all the forces raised in the colony. A cessation of all Indian hostility on the frontier having followed the expulsion of the French from the Ohio, the object of Washington was accomplished and he re- signed his commission as Commander-in- Chief of the Virginia forces. He then pro- ceeded to Williamsburg to take his seat in the General Assembly, of which he had been elected a member. January 17, 1759, Washington married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, a young and beautiful widow of great wealth, antl de- voted himself for the ensuing fifteen years to the quiet ])iirsuits of agriculture, inter- rupted only bv his aiuiual attendance in winter upon the CoU)niaI Legislature at Williamsburg, until summoned by his country to enter upon that other arena in which his fame was to become world wide. It is unnecessary here to trace the details of the struggle upon the question ol local GEORGE WASHINGTON. self-government, which, after ten years, cul- minated by act of Parliament of the port of Boston. It was at the instance of Virginia that a congress of all the colonies was called to meet at Philadeljihia September 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties — if possil)le by peaceful means. To this Congress Colonel WashingtcMi was sent as a dele- gate. On dissolving in October, it recom- mended the colonies to send deputies to another Congress the following spring. In the meantime several of the colonies felt impelled to raise local forces to repel in- sults and aggressions on the part of British troops, so that on the assembling of the next Congress, May 10, 1775, the war prepara- tions of the mother country were unmis- takable. The battles of Concord and Lex- ington had been fought. Among the earliest acts, therefore, of the Congress was the selection of a commander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This ofifice was unani- mously conferred upon Washington, still a member of the Congress. He accepted it on June 19, but on the express condition he should receive no salary. He immediately repaired to the vicinity of Boston, against which point the British ministrj- had concentrated their forces. As early as April General Gage had 3,000 troops in and around this proscribed city. During tiie fall and winter the British policy clearly indicated a purjiose to divide pub- lic sentiment and to build up a British party in the colonies. Those who sided with the ministry were stigmatized by the patriots as " Tories," while the patriots took to them- selves the name of " Whigs." As early as 1776 the leading men had come to the conclusion that there was no hope except in separation and indepen- dence. In May of that year Washington wrote from the head of the army in New York: "A reconciliation with Great Urit- am is impossible. , , , . When 1 took comuiv».ii Jt the army ' abhorred the ides of independence ; but I am now fully satis- fied that nothing else will save us." It is not tlie object of this sketch to trace the military acts of the patriot hero, to whose hands the fortunes and liberties of the United Stales were confided during the seven 3'ears' bloody struggle that ensued until the treat}' of 1783, in which England acknowledged the independence of each of the thirteen States, and negotiated with them, jointly, as separate sovereignties. The merits of Washington as a military chief- tain have been considerably discussed, espe- cially by writers in his own country. Dur- ing the war he was most bitterly assailed for incompetency, and great efforts were made to displace him ; but he never for a moment lost the confidence of either the Congress or the people. December 4, 1783, the great commander took !eave of his ofli- cers in most affectionate and patriotic terms, and went to Annapolis, Mai-}land, where the Congress of the States was in session, and to that body, when peace and order prevailed everywhere, resigned his com- mission and retired to Mount Vernon. It was in 1788 that Washington was called to the chief magistracy of the nation. He received every electoral vote cast in all the colleges of the States voting for the office of President. The 4th of March, 1789, was the time appointed for the Government of the United States to begin its operations, but several weeks elapsed before quorums of both the newly constituted houses of the Congress were assembled. The city of New York was the place where the Congrefs then met. April 16 Washington left his home to enter upon the discharge of his new duties. He set out with a purpose of traveling privately, and without attracting any oublic attention ; but this was impossi- ble. Everywhere on his way he was met with thronging crowds, eager to see the man whom they regarded as the chief de- lendc of their liberties, and everywhere PRESIDENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES. he was hailed with those public manifesta- tions of joy, regard and love which spring spontaneoiislv from the hearts of an aflec- tionate and grateful people. His reception in New York was marked by a grandeur and an enthusiasm never before witnessed in that metropolis. The inauguration took place April 30, in the presence of an immense multitude which had assembled to witness the new and imposing ceremony. The oath of office was administered by Robert R. Livingston, Chancellor of the State. When this sacred pledge was given, he retired with the other f)fl[icials into the Senate chamber, where he delivered his inaugural address to both houses of the nowlv con- stituted Congress in joint assembly. In the manifold details of his civil ad- ministration, Washington proved himself etjual to the requirements ol his position. The greater portion of the first session of the first Congress was occupied in passing the necessary statutes for putting the new organization int(j complete operation. In the discussions brought up in the course of this legislation the nature and character of the new system came under general review. On no one of them did any decided antago- nism of opinion arise. All held it lo be a limited government, clothed only with spe- cific powers conferred by delegation from the States. There was no change in the name of the legislative department; it still remained " the Congress of the United States of America." There was no ciiange in the original flag of the country, and none in the seal, which still remains with the Grecian escutcheon borne by the eagle, with other einl)lems, under the great and expressive motto, "/i Pluribus Umtnt." The first division of parties arose upon the manner of construing the powers dele- gated, and they were first styled "strict constructionists" and " latitudinarian con- structionists." The former were for con- fining the action of the Government strictly within its specific and limited sphere, while the others wore for enlarging its powers by inference and implication. Hamilton and Jefferson, both members of the first cabinet- were regarded as the chief leaders, respect ively, of these rising antagonistic parties which have existed, luider different names from that day to this. Washington 'vas re- garded as holding a neutral position between them, though, by mature deliberation, he vetoed the first apportionment bill, in 1790, jiassed by the party headed by Hamilton, which was based upon a principle construct- ively leading to centralization or consoli- dation. This was the first exercise of the veto ])owcr under the present Constitution. It created considerable excitement at the time. Another bill was soon passed in pur- suance of Mr. Jefferson's views, which has been adhered to in principle in every ap portionment act passed since. At the second session of the new Con. gress, Washington announced the gratify^ ing fact of " the accession of North Caro- lina" to the C(jnstitution of 1787, and June 1 of the same year he announced by special message the like " accession of the State of Rhode Island," with his congratulations on the happ3' event which " united inider the general Government" all the States which were originally confederated. In 1792, at the second Presidential elec- tion, Washington was desirous to retire ; but he yielded to the general wish of the country, and was again chosen {'resident by the unanimous vote of every electoral college. At the third election, \7cf1, he was again most urgently entreated to consent to remain in the executive chair. This he positively refused. In September, belore the election, he gave to his countrymen his memorable Farewell Address, which in lan- guage, sentiment and patriotism was a fit and crowning glory of his illustrious life. After March 4, 1797, he again retired to Mount \'ernon for peace, quiet and repose. (iEORcn WASlUNa TON. n His administration foi" the t\v(j terms had been successful bevond the expectation and hopes of even the most sanguine of his friends. The finances of tlie country were no longer in an embarrassed condition, the public credit was fully restored, life was given to every department of industry, the workings of the new system in allowing Congress to raise revenue from duties on imports proved to be not only harmonious in its federal action, but astonishing in its results upon the commerce and trade of all the States. The exports from the Union increased from $19,000,000 to over $56,000,- 000 per annum, while the imports increased in about the same proportion. Three new members had been added to the Union. The progress of the States in their new career under their new organization thus far was exceedinglv encouraging, not only to the friends of libertv within their own limits, but to their sympathizing allies in all climes and countries. 01 the call again made on this illustrious chief to quit his repose at Mount Vernon and take command of all the United States forces, with the rank of Lieutenant-General, when war was threatened with France in 1798, nothing need here be stated, except to note tiie fact as an immistakable testimo- nial of the high regard in which he was still held by his countrymen, of all sliades of po- litical opinion. He patriotically accepted this trust, but a treaty of peace put a stop to all action under it. He again retired to Mount Vernon, where, after a short and severe illness, he died December 14, 1799, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. The whole country was filled with gloom by this sad intelligence. Men of all parties in poli- tics and creeds in religion, in every State in the Union, united with Congress in " pay- ing honor to the man, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his c4 PUBS/DENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. ^ .^<.^A ^.» OHN ADAMS, the second President of the United States, 1797 to 1801, \v:is born in the present town of Qiiincy, then a portion of Braintree, Massachu- setts, October 30, 1735. His father was a farmer of mod- erate means, a worthy and industrious man. He was a deacon in the church, and was very desirous of giving his son a collejjia*e educa- tion, hoping that he wcvdd become a minister ot the gospel. But, as up to this time, the age of fourteen, he had been only a play-boy in the fields and forests, he had no taste for books, he chose farming. On being set to work, however, by his father out in the field, the very first day con- verted the boy into a lover of books. Accordingly, at the age of sixteen he entered Harvard College, and graduated in 1755, at the age of twenty, highly esteemed for integrit}', energy and ability. Thus, having no capital but his education, he started out into the stormy world at a time of great political excitement, as France and England were then engaged in their great seven-years struggle for the mastery over the New World. The tire of patriotism seized j-oung Adams, and for a time he studied over the question whether he should take to the law, to politics or the army. He wrote a remarkable letter to a friend, making prophecies concerning the future greatness of this country which have since been more than fulfilled. For two years he taught scliool and studied law, wasting no odd moments, and at the cariy age of twenty-two years he ()]>cned a law office in his native town. His inherited powers of mind and untiring devotion to his profession caused him to rise rapidly in public esteem. In October, 1764, Mr. Adams married Miss Abigail Smith, daughter of a clergy- man at Weymouth and a lady of rare per- sonal and intellectual endowments, who afterward contributed much to her hus- band's celebrity. Soon the oppression of the British in America reached its clima.x. The Boston merchants cmploved an attorney by the name of James Otis to argue the legality o. oppressive tax law before the Superior Court. Adams heard tne argument, and afterward wrote to a friend concerning the ability displayed, as follows : " Otis was a flame of fire. With a promptitude of classical allusion, a depth t)f research, a rapid summary of historical events and dates, a profusion of legal authorities and a 1 m/L jia JOHN AOAMS. '7 prophetic glance into futurity, he hurried awav all before him. American independence zvas then and tliere born. Every man of an immensely crowded audience appeared to me to go awav, as I did, ready to take up arms." Soon Mr. Adams wrote an essay to be read before the literary club of his town, upon the state of affairs, which was so able as to attract public attention, it was pub- lished in American journals, republished in England, and was pronounced by the friends of the colonists there as " one o( the very best prv^ductions ever seen from North America." The memorable Stamp Act was now issued, and Adams entered with all the ardor of his soul into political life in order to resist it. He drew up a series of reso- lutions remonstrating against the act, which were adopted at a public meeting of the citizens of Braintree, and which were sub- sequently adopted, word for word, by more than forty towns in the State. Popular commotion prevented the landing of the Stamp Act papers, and the English author- ities then closed the courts. The town of Boston therefore a|>pointe— j'*J>->-;*t^j T Xi .V- «^-<:— -"gW ^<<*c - T^ ^^ 1^1 1} w •I Offi% «^^^ [h o m a S J E F F E R- son, the tliird Presi- dent f>i tlie ''iiitcd Stales, i8oi~'9, was born April 2, 1743, the eldest child of his ])arents, Peter and Jane (Randolph) Jef- ferson, near Charlottes- ville, Albemarle County, Virginia, upon the slopes of the Blue Ridge. When he -was fourteen years of age, his father died, leav- ing a widow and eight children. She wasa beau- tiful and accomplished lady, a good letter-writer, with a fund of humor, and an admirable housekeeper. His parents belonged to the Churcli of England, and arc said to be of Welch origin. But little is known of them, however. Thomas was naturally of a serious turn of mind, apt to learn, and a favorite at school, his choice studies being mathemat- ics and the classics. At the age of seven- teen he entered William and Mary College, in an advanced class, and lived in rather an expensive style, consequently being much caressed by gay society. That he was not ruined, is proof of his stamina of character. But during his second year he discarded society, his horses and even his favorite violin, and devoted thenceforward fifteen hours a day to hard study, becoming ex- traordinarily proficient in Latin and Greek authors. On leaving college, before he was twenty- one, he commenced the stud}- of law, and pursued it diligently until he was well qualified for practice, upon which he entered in 1767. By this time he was also versed in French, Spanish, Italian and An- glo-Saxon, and in the criticism of the fine arts. Being very polite and polished in his manners, he won the friendship of all whom he met. Though able with his pen, he was not fluent in public speech. In 1769 he was chosen a member of the Virginia Legislature, and was the largest slave-holding member of that body. He introduced a bill empowering slave-holders to manumit their slaves, but it was rejected by an overwhelming vote. In 1770 Mr. Jefferson met with a great loss; his house at Shadwell was burned, and his valuable library of 2,000 volumes was consumed. But he was wealthy enough to replace the most of it, as from his 5,000 acres tilled by slaves and his practice at the bar his income amounted to about $5,000 a year. In 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a beautiful, wealthy and accomplished 'i^/c^ey/^/r^^ THOMAS JEFFERSON. n young widow, who owned 40,000 acres of land and 130 slaves; yet he labored assidu- ously for the abolition of slavery. For liis new home he selected a majestic rise ol land upon his large estate at Shad well, called Mt)nticello, whereon he erected a mansion of modest yet elegant architecture. Here he lived in luxury, indulging his taste in magnificent, high-blooded horses. At this period the British Government gradually became more insolent and o|)- pressive toward the American colonies, and Mr. Jefferson was ever one of the most foremost to resist its encroachments. From time to time he drew up resolutions of re- monstrance, which were finally adopted, thus proving his ability as a statesman and as a leader. By the year 1774 he became quite busy, both with voice and pen, in de- fending the right of the colonies to defend themselves. His pami:)hlet entitled: "A Summary View of the flights of British America," attracted mucii attention in Eng- land. The following year he, in company with George Washington, served as an ex- ecutive committee in measures to defend by arms the State of Virginia. As a Mem- ber of the Congress, he was not a speech- maker, yet in conversation and upon committees he was so frank and decisive that he always made a favorable impression. But as late as the autumn of 1775 he re- mained in hcjpes of reconciliation with the parent country. At length, however, the hour arrived for draughting the " Declaration of Indepen- dence," and this responsible task was de- volved upon Jefferson. Franklin, and Adams suggested a few verbal corrections bef(3re it was submitted to Congress, which was June 28, 1776, only si.x days before it was adopted. During the three days of the fiery ordeal of criticism through which it passed in Congress, Mr. Jefferson opened not his lips. John Adams was the main chamiMDn of the Declaration on the floor of Congress. The signing of this document was one of the most solemn and momentous occasions ever attended to by man. Prayer and silence reigned throughout the hall, and each signer realized that if American independence was not finally sustained by arms he was doomed to the scaffold. After the colonies became independent States, Jefferson resigned for a time his seat in Congress in order to aid in organizing the government of Virginia, of which State he was chosen Governor in 1779, when he was thirty-six years of age. At this time the Britisli had possession of Georgia and were invading South Carolina, and at one time a British officer, Farleton, sent a secret expedition to Monticello to capture the Governor. Five minutes after Mr. Jefferson escaped with his family, his man- sion was in possession of the enemy ! The British troops also destroyed his valuable plantation on the James River. " Had they curried off the slaves," said Jefferson, with characteristic magnanimity, " to give them freedom, they woulil have done right." Tiie year 1781 was a gloomy one for the Viiginia Governor. While confined to his secluded home in the forest by a sick and dying wife, a party arose against iiim throughout the State, severely criticising his course as Governor. Being very sensi- tive to reproach, this touched him to the (juick, and the heap of troubles then sur- rounding him nearly crushed him. He re- solved, in despair, to retire from public life for the rest of liis days. For weeks Mr. Jefferson sat lovingly, but with a crushed heart, at the bedside of his sick wife, during which time unfeeling letters were sent to him, accusing him of weakness and unfaith- fulness to duty. All this, after he had lost so much propcrt\ and at the same time (.lone so much for his country ! After iier death he actually fainted away, and re- mained so Ujutr insensible that it was feared h c never wouK 1 recover! Several we;;ks P/iESfDE.VTS OF THE U.VITED STATES. passed before he could fully recover his equilibrium. He was never married a second time. In the spring of 1782 the people of Eng- land compelled their king to make to the Americans overtures of peace, and in No- vember following, Mr. Jefferson was reap- pointed by Congress, unanimously and without a single adverse remark, minister plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty. In March, 1784, Mr. Jefferson was ap- pointed on a committee to draught a plan for the government of the Northwestern Territory. His slavery-prohibition clause in that plan was stricken out by the pro slavery majority of the committee; but amid all the controversies and wrangles of poli- ticians, he made it a rule never to contra- dict anybody or engage in any discussion as a debater. In company with Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin, Mr. Jefferson was appointed in May, 1784, to act as minister jjlenipotentiary in the negotiation of treaties of commerce with foreign nations. Accordingly, he went to Paris and satisfactoril)- accomplished his mission. The suavity and high bearing of his manner made all the French his friends; and even Mrs. Adams at one time wrote to her sister that he was " the chosen of the earth." But all the honors that he received, both at home and abroad, seemed to make no change in the simplicity of his republican tastes. On his return to America, he found two parties respecting the foreign commercial policy, Mr. Adams sym])athizing with that in favor of England and himself favoring France. On the inauguration of General Wash- ington as President, Mr. Jefferson was chosen by him for the office of Secretary of State. At this time the rising storm of the French Revolution became visible, and Washington watched it with great anxiety. His cabinet was divided in their views of cunslitutional government as well as re- garding the issues in France. General Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, was the leader of the so-called Federal party, while Mr. Jefferson was the leader of the Republican party. At the same time there was a strong monarchical party in this country, with which Mr. Adams sympa- thized. Some important financial measures, which were proposed by Hamilton and finallv adopted by the cabinet and ajiproved by Washington, were opposed by Mr. Jefferson ; and his enemies then began to reproach him with holding office under an administration whose views he opposed. The President poured oil on the troubled waters. On his re-election to the Presi- dency he desired Mr. Jefferson to remain in the cabinet, but the latter sent in his resignation at two different times, probably because he was dissatisfied with some of the measures of the Government. His final one was not received until January i, 1794, when General Washingtcjn parted from him with great regret. Jefferson then retired to his quiet home at Monticello, to enjoy a good rest, not even reading the newspapers lest the political gossip should disepiiet him. On the Presi- dent's again calling him back to the office of Secretary of State, he replied that no circumstances would ever again tempt him to engage in an^'thing public ! But, while all Europe was ablaze with war, and France in the throes of a bloody revolution and the principal theater of the conflict, a new Presidential election in this country came on. John Adams was the Federal candi- date and Mr. Jefferson became the Republi- can candidate. The result of the election was the promotion of the latter to the Vice- Presidency, while the former was chosen President. In this contest Mr. Jefferson really did not desire to hav^ either office, he was "so weary" of party strife. He loved the retirement of home more than any other place on the earth. THOhfAS 'JEFFERSON. 25 But f(ir four long years his Vice-Presi- dency passed joylessly away, while the partisan strife between Federalist and Re- publican was ever ^^rowing hotter. The former party split and the result of the fourth general election was the elevation of Mr. Jefferson to the Presidency ! with Aaron Burr as Vice-President. These men being at the head of a growing party, their election was hailed everywhere with jo}-. On the other hand, many of the Federalists turned pale, as they believed what a portion of the pulpit and the press had been preach- ing — that Jefferson was a " scoffing atheist," a "Jacobin," the " incarnation of all evil," " breathing threatening and slaughter ! " Mr. Jefferson's inaugural address con- tained nothing but the noblest sentiments, expressed in fine language, and his personal behavior afterward exhibited the extreme of American, democratic simplicit}'. His disgust of European court etiquette grew up(5n him with age. He believed that General Washington was somewhat dis- trustful of the ultimate success of a popular Government, and that, imbued with a little admiration of the forms of a monarchical Government, he had instituted levees, birth- da3's, pompous meetings with Congress, etc. Jefferson was always polite, even to slaves everywhere he met them, and carried in his countenance the indications of an ac- commodating disp(3sition. The political principles of the Jeffersoni- an party now swept the country, and Mr. Jefferson himself swayed an influence which was never exceeded even by Washington. Under his administration, in 1803, the Lou- isiana purchase was made, for $15,000,000, the " Louisiana Territory " purchased com- prising all the land west of the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean. The year 1804 witnessed another severe loss in his family. His highly accomplished and most beloved daughter Maria sickened and died, causing as great grief in the stricken parent as it was possible for him to survive with any degree of sanity. The same year lie was re-elected to tl;e Presidency, with George Clinton as Vice- President. During his second term our relations with England became more com- plicated, and on June 22, 1807, near Hamp- ton Roads, the United States frigate Chesapeake was fired upon by the Brit- ish man-of-war Le(jpard, and was made to surrender. Three men were killed and ten wounded. Jefferson demanded repara- tion. England grew insolent. It became cvitlcnt that war was determined upon by the latter power. More than 1,200 Ameri- cans were forced into the British service upon the high seas. Before any satisfactory solution was reached, Mr. Jeffers 6J3 •■- t^ '> t*5 ■'• 3.'Sfpiiiiy •'• ^ "T- <*^ -T-' •^!» -■■ <«> "'^i^.^ Lirquis received his wound. Gen- eral Washington, who had formed a high idea of young Monroe's ability, sent him to Virginia to raise a new regiment, of which he was to be Colonel; but so exhausted was Virginia at that time that the effort proved unsuccessful. He, however, received his commission. Finding no opportunity to enter the army as a commissioned officer, he returned to his original plan of studying law, and entered the office of Thomas Jefferson, who was then Governorof Virginia. He developed a very noble character, frank, manly and sincere. Mr. Jefferson said of him: "James Monroe is so perfectly honest that if his soul were turned inside out there would not be found a spot on it." In 1782 he was elected to the Assembly of Virginia, and was also appointed a mem- ber of the Executive Council. The next year he was chosen delegate to the Conti- nental Congress for a term of three years. He was present at Annapolis when Wash- ington surrendered his commission of Com- mander-in-chief. With Washington, Jefferson and Madison he felt deeply the inefficiency of the old Articles of Confederation, and urged the formation of a new Constitution, which should invest the Central Government with something like national power. Influenced bv these views, he introduced a resolution ^-v- / A'f'^Z^^y-r^,^ ^ yAMES MONROE. 35 that Congress should be empowered to regulate trade, and to lay an impost duty of five per cent. The resolution was refer- red to a committee of which he was chair- man. The report and the discussion wliich rose upon it led to the convention of five States at Annapolis, and the consequent general convention at I-*hiladelphia, which, in 1787, drafted the Constitution of the United States. At this tune there was a controversy be- tween New York and Massachusetts in reference to their boundaries. The high esteem in which Colonel Monroe was held is indicated by the fact that he was ap- pointed one of the jutiges to decide the controversy. While in New York attend- ing Congress, lie married Miss Kortright, a young lady distinguished alike for her beauty and accomplishments. For nearl}' fifty years this happy uni the prayer ouglit not to be granted. It was the 25th of Januar3^ The whole body of the pro-slavery party came crowd- ing together in the House, prepared to crush Mr. Adams forever. One of the num- ber, Thomas F. Marshall, of Kentucky, was appointed to read the resolutions, which accused Mr. Adams of high treason, of having insulted the Government, and 01 meriting expulsion; but for which deserved punishment, the House, in its great mercy, would substitute its severest censure. With the assumption of a very solemn and mag- isterial air, there being breathless silence in the audience, Mr. Marshall liurled the care- fully prepared anathemas at his victim. Mr. Adams stood alone, the whole pro-slav- ery party against him. As soon as the resolutions were read, every eye being fixed upon him, that bold old man, whose scattered locks were whit- ened by seventy-five years, casting a wither- ing glance in the direction of his assailants> 44 PFESfDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. in a clear, shrill tone, tremulous with sup- pressed emotion, said: "In reply to this audacious, atrocious chargfe of higrh treason, I call for the read- ing of the first paragraph of the Declaration of Independence. Read it ! Read it ! and see what that says of the rights of a people to reform, to change, and to dissolve their Government.' The attitude, the manner, the tone, the words; the venerable old man, with flash- ing eye and flushed cheek, and whose very form seemed to expand under the inspiration of the occasion — all presented a scene over- flowing in its sublimity. There was breath- less silence as that paragraph was read, in defense of whose principles our fathers had pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. It was a proud hour to Mr. Adams as they were all compelled to listen to the words: " That, to secure these rights, govern- ments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; and that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of those ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundations on such principles and organizing its powers in such form as shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness." That one sentence routed and baffled the foe. The heroic old man looked around upon the audience, and thundered out, " Read that again ! " It was again read. Then in a few fiery, logical words he stated his defense in terms which even prejudiced minds could not resist. His discomfited assailants made several attempts to rally. After a conflict of eleven days they gave up vanquished and their resolution was ig- nominiously laid upon the table. In January, 1846, when seventy-eight years of age, he took part in the great de- bate on the Oregon question, displaying intellectual vigor, and an extent and accu- racy of acquaintance with the subject that excited great admiration. On the 2ist of Februarv, 1848, he rose on the floor of Congress with a paper in his hand to address the Speaker. Suddenly he fell, stricken bv paral3'sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. For a time he was senseless and was conveyed to a sofa in the rotunda. With reviving consciousness he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and said, " This is the end of earth." Then after a moment's pause, he added, " / am content." These were his last words, and he soon breathed his last, in the apartment beneath the dome of the capitol — -the theater of his labors and his triumphs. In the language of hymnology, he " died at his post;" he " ceased at once to work and live." ^z<^.£^^ , ._ 1^ "^"^NDREW JACKSON, the seventh President t^ of the United States, i829-'37, was born at the Waxhaw Settle. -,-.-.-,T- '■ j'^ ment, Union Coun- "* t}-. North Carolina, March i6, 1767. His parents were Scotch-Irish, natives of Carrickfergus, who came to America in 1765, and settled on Twelve-Mile Creek, a trib- utary of the Catawba. His father, who was a poor farm laborer, died shortly before An- drew's birth, when his mother removed to Waxhaw, where some relatives resided. Few particulars of the childhood of Jack- son have been preserved. His education was of the most limited kind, and he showed no fondness for books. He grew up to be a tall, lank boy, with coarse hair and freck- led cheeks, with bare feet dangling from trousers too short for him, very fond of ath- letic sports, running, boxing and wrestling. He was generous to the younger and weaker boys, but very irascible and over- bearing with his equals and superiors. He was profane — a vice in which he surpassed all other men. The character of his mother he revered; and it was not until after her death that his predominant vices gained full strength. In 1780, at the age of thirteen, Andrew, or Andy, as he was called, with his brother Robert, volunteered to serve in the Revo- lutionary forces under General Sumter, and was a witness of the latter's defeat at Hang- ing Rock. In the following year the brothers were made prisoners, and confined in Camden, experiencing brutal treatment from their captors, and being spectators of General Green's defeat at Hobkirk Hill. Through their mother's exertions the boys were exchanged" while suffering from small- pox. In two days Robert was dead, and Andy apparently dying. The strength of his constitution triumphed, and he regained health and vigor. As he was getting better, his mother heard the cry of anguish from the prison- ers whom the British held in Charleston, among whom were the sons of her sisters. She hastened to their relief, was attacked by fever, died and was buried where her grave could never be found. Thus Andrew Jackson, when fourteen years of age, was left alone in the world, without father, mother, sister or brother, and without one dollar which he could call his own. He 48 PRES/DEXTS OF Tfi£ UN/TED STATES. soon entered a saddler's shop, and labored diligently for six months. But graduall}-, as health returned, he became more and more a wild, reckless, lawless boy- He gambled, drank and was regarded as about the worst character that could be found. He now turned schoolmaster. He could teach the alphabet, perhaps the multiplica- tion table; and as he was a very bold bo)'. it is possible he might have ventured to teach a little writing. But he soon began to think of a profession and decided to study law. With a very slender purse, and on the back of a very fine horse, he set out for Salisbury, North Carolina, where he entered the law office of Mr. McCaj'. Here he remained two years, professedly studying law. He is still remembered in traditions of Salisbury, which say: " Andrew Jackson was the most roaring, rollicking, horse-racing, card-playing, mis- chievous fellow thatever lived in Salisbury. He did not trouble the law-books much." Andrew was now, at the age of twenty, a tall young man, being over six feet in height. He was slender, remarkably grace- ful and dignified in his manners, an exquis- ite horseman, and developed, amidst his loathesome profanity and multiform vices, a vein of rare magnanimity. His temper was fiery in the extreme; but it' was said of him that no man knew better than Andrew Jackson when to get angry and when not. In 1786 he was admitted to the bar, and two years later removed to Nashville, in what was then the western district of North Carolina, with the appointment of so- licitor, or public prosecutor. It was an of- fice of little honor, small emolument and great peril. Few men could be found to accept it. And now Andrew Jackson commenced vigorously to practice law. It was an im- portant part of his business to collect debts. It required nerve. During the first seven years of his residence in those wilds he traversed the almost pathless forest between Nashville and Jonesborough, a distance of 200 miles, twenty-two times. Hostile In- dians were constantl}- on the watch, and a man was liable at any moment to be shot down in his own field. Andrew Jackson was just the man for this service — a wild, daring, rough backwoodsman. Daily he made hair-breadth escapes. He seemed to bear a charmed life. Boldlv, alone or with few companions, he traversed the forests, encountering all perils and triumphing over all. In 1790 Tennessee became a Territory, and Jackson was appointed, by President Washington, United States Attorney for the new district. In 1791 he married Mrs. Rachel Robards (daughter of Colonel John Donelson), whom he supposed to have been divorced in that year by an act of the Leg- islature of Virginia. Two years after this Mr. and Mrs. Jackson learned, to their great surprise, that Mr. Robards had just obtained a divorce in one of the courts of Kentucky, and that the act of the Virginia Legislature was not final, but conditional. To remedy the irrcgularitv as much as pos- sible, a new license was obtained and the marriage ceremony was again performed. It proved to be a marriage of rare felic- ity. Probably there never was a more affectionate union. However rough Mr. Jackson might have been abroad, he was always gentle and tender at home; and through all the vicissitudes of their lives, he treated Mrs. Jackson with the most chival- ric attention. Under the circumstances it was not un- natural that the facts in the case of this marriage were so misrepresented by oppo- nents in the political campaigns a quarter or a century later as to become the basis of serious charges against Jackson's moral- ity which, however, have been satisfactorily attested by abundant evidence. Jackson was untiring in his duties as A. V DREW yACk'SOM. 49 United States Attorney, which (lemaiided frequent journeys through the wilderness and exposed him to Indian hostilities. He acquired considerable property in- land, and obtained such intluence as to be chosen a member of the convention which framed the Constitution for the new State of Ten- nessee, in 1796, and in that year was elected its first Representative in Congress. Albert Gallatin thus describes the first appearance of the Hon. Andrew Jackson in the House: " A tall, lank, uncouth-looking personage, with locks of hair hanging over his face and a cue down his back, tied with an eel skin; his dress singular, his manners and deport- ment those of a rough backwoodsman." Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Democratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. Jackson took his seat. General Washington, whose second term of office was just expiring, delivered his last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson did not approve the ad- dress and was one of twelve who voted against it. Tennessee had fitted out an expedition against the Indians, contrary to the policy of the Government. A resolution was intro- duced that the National Government should pay the expenses. Jackson advo- cated it and it was carried. This rendered him very popular in Tennessee. A va- cancy chanced soon after to occur in the Senate, and Andrew Jackson was chosen United States Senator by the State of Ten- nessee. John Adams was then President and Thomas Jefferson, Vice-President. In 1798 Mr. Jackson returned to Tennes- see, and resigned his seat in the Senate. Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Su- preme Court of that State, with a salary of $600. This oflice he held six years. It is said that his decisions, though sometimes ungrammatical, were generally right. He did not enjov his seat upon the bench, and renounced the dignity in 1804. About this time he was chosen Major-General of militia, and lost the title of judge in that of General. When he retired from the Senate Cham- ber, he decided to try his fortune through trade. He purchased a stock of goods in Philadelphia and sent them to Nashville, where he opened a store. He lived about thirteen miles from Nashville, on a tract of land of several thousand acres, mostly un- cultivated. He used a small block-house for a store, from a narrow window of which he sold goods to the Indians. As he had an assistant his office as judge did not materially interfere with his business. As to slavery, born in the midst of it, the idea never seemed to enter his mind that it could be wrong. He eventually became an extensive slave owner, but he was one of the most humane and gentle of masters. In 1804 Mr. Jackson withdrew from pol- itics and settled on a plantation which he called the Hermitage, near Nashville. He set up a cotton-gin, formed a partnership and traded in New Orleans, making the voyage on flatboats. Through his hot tem- per he became involved in several quarrels and " affairs of honor," during this period, in one of which he was severely wounded, but had the misfortune to kill his opponent, Charles Dickinson. For a time this affair greatly injured General Jackson's popular- ity. The verdict then was, and continues to be, that General Jackson was outra- geously wrong. If he subsequently felt any remorse he never revealed it to anyone. In 1805 Aaron Burr had visited Nash- ville and been a guest of Jackson, with whom he corresponded on the subject of a war with Spain, which was anticipated and desired by them, as well as by the people of the Southwest generally. Burr repeated his visit in September, 1806, when he engaged in the celeorated SP PREJIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. combinations which led to his trial for trea- son. He was warmly received by Jackson, at whose instance a public ball was given in his honor at Nashville, and contracted with the latter for boats and provisions. Early in 1807, when Burr had been pro- claimed a traitor by President Jefferson, volunteer forces for the Federal service were organized at Nashville under Jack- son's command; but his energy and activ- ity did not shield him from suspicions of connivance in the supposed treason. He was summoned to Richmond as a witness in Burr's trial, but was not called to the stand, probably because he was out-spoken in his partisanship. On the outbreak of the war with Great Britain in 1812, Jackson tendered his serv- ices, and in January, 181 3, embarked for New Orleans at the head of the Tennessee contingent. In March he received an or- der to disband his forces; but in Septem- ber he again took tlie field, in the Creek war, and in ctiujunction with his former partner. Colonel Coffee, inflicted upon the Indians the memorable defeat at Talladega, Emuckfaw and Tallapoosa. In May, 1814, Jackson, who had now ac- quired a national reputation, was appointed a Major-General of the United States army, and commenced a campaign against the British in Florida. He conducted the de- fense at Mobile, September 15, seized upon Fensacola, November 6, and innnediately transported the bulk of his troops to New Orleans, then threatened by a powerful naval force. Martial law was declared in Louisiana, the State militia was called to arms, engagements with the British were fought December 23 and 28, and after re-en- forcements had been received on both sides tie famous victory of January 8, 1815, crowned Jackson's fame as a soldier, and made him the typical American hero of the first half of the nineteenth century. In i8i7-'i8 Jackson conducted the war against the Seminoles of Florida, during which he seized upon Fensacola and exe- cuted by courtmartial two British subjects, Arbuthnot and Ambrister acts which might easily have involved the United States in war both with Spain and Great Britain. Fortunately the peril was averted by the cession of Florida to the United States; and Jackson, who had escaped a trial for the irregularity of his conduct only through a division of opinion in Mon- roe's cabinet, was appointed in 1821 Gov- ernor of the new Territory. Soon after he declined the appointment of minister to Mexico. In 1823 Jackson was elected to the United States Senate, and nominated by the Ten- nessee Legislature for the Presidency. This candidacy, though a matter of surprise, and even merryment, speedily became popular, and in 1824, when the stormy electoral can- vas resulted in the choice of John Quincy Adams by the House of Representatives, General Jackson received the largt^st popu- lar vote among the four candidates. In 1828 Jackson was triumphantly elected President over Adams after a campaign of unparalleled bitterness. He was inaugu- rated March 4, 1829, and at once removed from office all the incumbents belonging to the opposite party — a procedure new to American politics, but which naturally be- came a precedent. His first term was characterized by quar- rels between the Vice-President, Calhoun, and the Secretary of State, Van Buren, at- tended by a cabinet crisis originating in scandals connected with the name of Mrs. General Eaton, wife of the Secretary of War; by the beginning of his war upon the United States Bank, and by his vigorous action against the partisans of Calhoun, who, in South Carolina, threatened to nullify the acts of Congress, establishing a protective tariff. in the Presidential campaign of 1S32 ANDREW yACh'SON. 5' Jackson received 219 out of 288 electoral votes, his competitor being Mr. Clay, while Mr. Wirt, on an Anti-Masonic platform, received the vote of Vermont alone. In 1833 President Jackson removed the Gov- ernment deposits from the United States bank, thereby incurring a vote of censure from the Senate, whicli was, however, ex- punged four years later. During this second term of office the Cherokees, Choctaws and Creeks were removed, not without diffi- culty, from Georgia, Alabama and Missis- sippi, to the Indian Territory; the National debt was extinguished; Arkansas and Michigan were admitted as States to the Union; the Seminole war was renewed; the anti-slavery agitation first acquired impor- tance; the Mormon delusion, which had organized in 1829, attained considerable proportions in Ohio and Missouri, and the country experienced its greatest pecuniary panic. Railroads with locomotive propulsion were irtrodured into America during Jack- son's first term, and had become an impor- tant element of national life before the close of his second term. For many rea- sons, therefore, the administration of Presi- dent Jackson formed an era in American history, political, social and industrial. He succeeded in effecting the election of his friend Van Buren as his successor, re- tired from the Presidency March 4, 183/: and led a tranquil life at the Hermitage until his death, which occurred June 8, 1845. During his closing years he was a pro- fessed Christian and a member of the Pres- byterian church. No American of this century has been the subject of such oppo- site judgments. He was loved and hated with equal vehemence during his life, but at the present distance of time from his career, while opinions still vary as to the merits of his public acts, few of his country- men will question tiiat he was a warm- hearteri, brave, patriotic, honest and sincere man. If his distinguishing qualities were not such as constitute statesmanship, in the highest sense, he at least never pretended to other merits than such as were written to his credit on the page of American his- tory — not attempting to disguise the de- merits which were equally legible. The majority of his countrymen accepted and honored iiim, in spite of all tiiat calumny as well as truth could allege against him. His faults may therefore be truly said to have been those of his time; his magnifi- cent virtues may also, witii the same jus- tice, be considered as typical of a state (J society which has nearly passed away. 52 PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. ^2i^^^t •>,t;7>,(j_*>jt;_n,t;-^ty^»,t7>,^;?5l ■^<> ^<^i^tC.'<'y^r^^^^ l :-ia3a3EECE5-:ESiS3-:s333v-s^A:^yv-^^''^rT=^^^-"x^Tr^!:s3 ite^^^^fflAI^TIN UaN Bai^EN.^4+^S ^ZL^^'JZ^^Jij? -^ ^- ^^ ^ -'^M^ l^-TM* ^^^ ^^j^-^^J'^ .1^ -»,^.*) (^^ r»^»iVli*»'»iif'l^»;i>'»S^3>l»)! » j)^'«>fel'<»ilWil'«»4'ifcSj'»^j' Jr /I' r~,' , ■r: vrv gS;:A ^\ J i L• r^■^^'^V^ aLj\iX:jCEK3::-V-^ \^-V:S Si^ ■^^•^ESLE S'nrgga:^^-:^; ii^ m-Jdiii ^ c rj: iO£vj:-LsDIRw ^| ;4 i ; a33^3SMagji^33a33^1k3gi'»i*>'li*>'lii»'»-Ji^ti»*t^'5>l»i ji;<:Wi4'«i^U'*^U'wi«WiiW!j'«^^'5:^3''T ACHARY TAY- LOR, the twelfth President of the United States, i849-'50, was born in Orange County, Virijinia, Septem- ber 24, 17S4. His father, Richard Taylor, was Colo- nel of a Virginia regiment in the Revolutionar}' war, and removed to Kentucky in 17S5 ; purchased a large plantation near Louisville and became an influential cit- izen ; was a member of the convention that framed the Constitution of Kentucky; served in both branches of the Legislature ; was Collector of the port of Louisville under President Washington ; as a Presidential elector, voted for Jefferson, Madison, Mon- roe and Clay; died January 19,1829. Zachary remained on his father's planta- tion until 1808, in which year (May 3) he was appointed First Lieutenant in the Seventh Infantry, to fill a vacancy oc- casioned by the death of his elder brother, Hancock. Up to this point he had received but a limited education. Joining his regiment, at New Orleans, he was attacked with, veilow fever, with nearly fatal termination. In November, 1810, he was promoted to Captain, and in the sum- mer of 1 81 2 he was in command of Fort Harrison, on the left bank of the Wabash River, near the present site of Terre Haute, his successful defense of which with but a handful of men against a large force of Indians which had attacked him was one of the first marked military achievements of the war. He was then brcvctted Major, and in 1814 promoted to the full rank. During the remainder of the war Tavlor was activclv employed on the Western frontier. In the peace organization of 181 5 he was retained as Captain, but soon after resigned and settled near Louisville. In May, t8i6, however, he re-entered the army as Major of the Third Infantry ; became Lieutenant-Colonel of the Eighth Infantry in 1819, and in 1832 attained the Colonelcy of the First Infantry, of which he had been Lieutenant-Colonel since 1821. Ondifferent occasions he had been called to Washington as member of a military' board for organiz- ing the militia of the Union, and to aid the Government with his knowledge in the organization of the Indian Bureau, having for many years discharged the duties of Indian agent over large tracts of Western yc^ C-/Cc::^o^-y/y^:X y ^^^ ZA CHA R r TA YL OR. country. He served through the Black Hawk war in 1832. and in 1837 was ordered to take command in Florida, then the scene of war with the Indians. In 1846 he was transferi^ed to the com- niaiid of tlie Army of the Southwest, from which he was relieved the same year at his own request. Subsequently he was sta- tioned on the Arkansas frontier at Forts Gibbon, Smith and Jesup, which latter work nad been built under his direction in 1822. May 28, 1845, he received a dispatch from the Secretary of War informing him of the receipt of information by the President "that Texas would shortly accede to the terms of annexation," in which event he was instructed to defend anil protect her from "foreign invasion and Indian incur- sions." He proceeded, upon the annexation of Texas, with about 1,500 men to Corpus Chnsti, where his force was increased to some 4,000. Taylor was brevetted Major-General May 28, and a month later, June 29, 1846, his full commission to that grade was issued. After needed rest and reinfcjrcement, he advanced in September on Monterey, which city ca- pitulated after three-days stubborn resist- ance. Here he took up his winter quarters. The plan for the invasion of Mexico, by way of Vera Cruz, with General Scott in command, was now determined upon by the Govenrment, and at the moment Taylor was about to resume active operations, he received orders to send the larger part of his force to reinforce the army of General Scott at Vera Cruz. Though subsequently reinforced by raw recruits, yet after pro- viding a garrison for Monterey and Saltillo he had but about 5,300 effective troops, of which but 500 or 600 were regulars. In this weakened condition, however, he was destined to achieve his greatest victory. Confidently relying upon his strength at Vera Cruz to resist the enemy f(jr a long tuue, .Santa Anna directed his entire army against Taylor to overwhelm him, and then to return to oppose the advance of Scott's more formidable invasion. The battle of Biiena Vista was (ought February 22 and 23, 1847. Taylor received the thanks ol Congress and a gold medal, and " Old Rough and Ready," the sobriquet given him in the army, became a household word. He remained in quiet possession of the Rio Grande Valley until November, when he returned to the United States. In the Whig convention which met at Philadelphia, June 7, 1S48, Taylor was nomi- nated on the fourth ballot as candidate A the Whig party for Presideiu, over Henry Clay, General Scott and Daniel Webster. In November Taylor received a majority of electoral votes, antl a p(3pidar vote of 1,360,752, against 1,219,962 ftjr Cass and Butler, and 291,342 for Van Buren and Adams. General Taylor was inaugurated March 4, 1849. The free and slave States being then equal m number, the struggle for supremacy on the part of the leaders in Congress was violent and bitter. In the sununer of 1849 California adopted m convention a Consti- tution prohibiting slavery within its borders. Taylor advocated the immediate admission of California with her Constitution, and the postponement of the question as to the other Territories until they could hold conven- tions and decide for themselves whether slavery should exist within their borders. This policy ultimately prevailed through the celebrated " Compromise Measures" of Henry Clay; but not during the life of the brave soldier and patriot statesman. July 5 he was taken suddenly ill with a bilious fever, which proved fatal, his death occur- ring July 9, 1850. One of his daughters married C(jlonel W. W. S. Bliss, his Adju- tant-General and Chief of Staff in Florida and Mexico, and Private Secretary duruig his Presidency. Another daughter was married to Jefferson Davis. PUES/DEiVTS OF THE UXITED STATES. ^,^M M1LLAH» ]F1Sb&I1(IMM s^ T T r rir i iFrmr ft ir i i i i ■ ■ ■ t m t ■ m I r ■ I t ■ 1 1 . ■ i , . t r • i i ■» 1 1 ■■•■■;■■■[ i t r i • t >» ri i , i n 1 1 -j» I ^^'^-V-— TT likjiiii 'feirmrm» iM i iii; km«miffiFncroa' ^r• O p?; ; 1 3 I LLARD FILL- MORE, the thir- ^^^ teenth President of the United States, i850-'3, was born in Summer Hill, Cayuga County, New York, Janu- ary 7, i8cx). He was of New England ancestry, and ills educational advantages were limited. He ear!}- learned the clothiers' trade, but spent ail his leisure time ill study. At nineteen years of age he was induced by Judge Walter Wood to abandon his trade and commence tiie study of law. Upon learning that the young man was entirely destitute of means, he look him into his own office and loaned him such money as he needed. That he might not be heavily burdened with debt, young Fillmore taught school during the winter months, and in various other ways helped himself along. At the age of t\yenty-three he was ad- mitted to the Court of Common Pleas, and commenced the practice of his profession in the village i;f Aurora, situated on the eastern bank of the Cayuga Lake. In 1825 he married Miss Abigail Powers, daughter of Rev. Lemuel Powers, a lady of great moral worth. In 1825 he took his seat in the House of Assembly of his native State, as Representative from Erie County, whither he had recently moved. Though he had never taken a very active part in politics his vote and his sym- pathies were with the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, but his cour- tesy, ability and integrity won the respect of his associates. In 1832 he was elected to a seat in the United States Congress. At the close of his term he returned to his law practice, and in two years more he was again elected to Congress. He now began to have a national reputa- tion. His labors were very arduous. To draft resolutions in the committee room, and then to defend them against the most skillful opponents on the floor of the House requires readiness of mind, mental resources and skill in debate such as few possess. Wear\' with these exhausting labors, and pressed by the claims of his private afTairs, Mr. Fillmore wrote a letter to his constitu- ents and declined to be a candidate for re- election. Notwithstanding this communi- y'^'Z. /.xC-OCi-i-r C" M t^.t t-c-o-u) MILLARD F/LLMORE. 75 cation his friends met in convention and renominated him by acclamation. Thougli g^ratified by this proof of their appreciation of his labors he adhered to his resolve and returned to his home. In 1847 Mr. Fillmore was elected to the important office of comptroller of the State. In entering upon the very responsible duties which this situation demanded, it was nec- essary for him to abandon his profession, and he removed to the city of Albany. In this year, also, the Whigs were looking around to find suitable candidates for the President and Vice-President at the ap- proaching election, and the names of Zach- ary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became the rallying cry of the Whigs. On the 4th of March, 1S49, General Taylor was inaug- urated President and Millard Fillmore Vice-President of the United States. The great question of slavery had as- sumed enormous proportions, and perme- ated every subject that was brought before Congress. It was evident that the strength of our institutions was to be severely tried. July 9, 1850, President Taylor died, and, by the Constitution, Vice-President Fillmore became President of the United States. The agitated condition of the country brought questions of great delicacy before him. He was bound by his oath of office to execute the laws of the United States. One of these laws was understood to be, : that if a slave, escaping from bondage, should reach a free State, the United States ' was bound to do its utmost to capture hnn and return him to his master. Most Chris- tian men loathed this law. President Fill- more felt bound by his oath rigidly to see it enforced. Slavery was organizing armies to invade Cuba as it had invaded Texas, and annex it to the United States. Presi- dent Fillmore gave all the influence of his exalted station against the atrocious enter- prise. Mr. Fillmore had serious difficulties to contend with, since the opposition had a majority in both Houses. He did every- thing in his power to conciliate the South, but the pro-slavery party in that section felt the inadequency of all measures of tran. sient conciliation. The population of the free States was so rapidly increasing over that of the slave States, that it was inevita- ble that the power of the Government should soon pass into the hands of the free States. The famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. Fillmore's admin- istration, and the Japan expedition was sent out. March 4, 1853, having served one term, President Fillmore retired from office. He then took a long tour through the South, where he met with quite an enthusiastic reception. In a speech at Vicksburg, al- luding to the rapid growth of the country, he said: " Canada is knocking for admission, and Mexico would be glad to come in, and without saying whether it would be right or wrong, we stand with open arms to re- ceive them; for it is the manifest destiny of this Government to embrace the whole North American Continent." In 1855 Mr. Fillmore went to Europe where he was received with those marked attentions which his position and character merited. Returning to this country in 1856 he was nominated for the Presidency by the "Know-Nothing" party. Mr. Bu- chanan, the Democratic candidate was the successful competitor. Mr. Fillmore ever afterward lived in retirement. Dur- ing the conflict of civil war he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed, how- ever, that hissympath}' was with the South- ern Confederacy. He kept aloof from the conflict without any words of cheer to the one party or the other. For this reason he was forgotten by both. He died of paralysis, in Buffalo, New York, March 8, 1874.' 76 PRESIDEXTS OF THE UNITED STATES. Fpi]I^LII] PIERGE. EHH^HSEfe RANKLIN PIERCE, . „ . , the fourteenth Presi- 3 v.|te^l^^ ^.v-o dent of the United -^(imm^/"^' '-''-- ■'^'^ites, was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, Novem- ber 23, 1804. His father, Governor Benjamin Pierce, was a Rev- olutionary soldier, a man of rigid integrity ; was for sev- eral years in the State Legis- lature, a member of the Gov- ernor's council and a General of the militia. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. As a boy he listened eagerly to the argu- ments of his lather, enforced by strong and ready utterance and earnest gesture. It was in the days of intense political excite- ment, when, all over the New England States, Federalists and Democrats were ar- rayed so fiercely against each other. In 1820 he entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Maine, and graduated in 1824, and commenced the study of law in the office of Judge Woodbury, a very distin- guished lawyer, and in 1827 was admitted to the bar. He practiced with great success in Hillsborough and Concord. He served in the State Legislature four years, the last two of which he was chosen Speaker of the House bj' a very large vote. In 1833 he was elected a member of Con- gress. In 1837 he was elected to the United States Senate, just as Mr. Van Buren com- menced his administration. In 1834 he married Miss Jane Means Appleton, a lady admirably fitted to adorn every station with which her husband was honored. Three sons born to them all found an early grave. Upon his accession to office, President Polk appointed Mr. Pierce Attorney-Gen- eral of the United States, but the offer was declined in consequence of numerous pro- fessional engagements at home and the precarious state of Mrs. Pierce's health. About the same time he also declined the nomination for Governor by the Demo- cratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. Pierce into the arm}'. Receiving the appointment of Brigadier-General, he embarked with a portion of his troops at Newport, Rhode Island, May 27, 1847. He served during this war, and distinguished himself by his bravery, skill and excellent judgment. When he reached his home in his native State he was enthusiastically received by A ( hIiANKI.IN J'lEliCK. the advoc.'itcs of llic war, and coldly \>s it'; opponents. I Ic resumed llie practice ol his profession, lic(|uenlly taking; an a< live |iarl. in political qucstifjns, and {^ivin^ his siip- pcjrt to the ])ro-slavery vvin;^ of the Demo- cratic; party. \\\\\r I.;, 185.!, the {democratic; con vent ion incl in U.illimore lo nominrite a candidate lor the Presidency. f'"or four d;i3's they coMtinned in session, and in thirty-live bal lotirif^rs no one had received the rerjuisile Iwo-tliirds vote. Not a vole li.id In-' n tlirown thus far loi (General I'ieii < . I hen the V'ir^ini.i dele;^alion ljroii;^iil lorw.aid his nami-. There were fonrlcen more \y.\\ lotiiigs, during which (n-ncial I'ii-m e gained slrenj^lh, inilil, al ihe loilymnlli ballot, he re(;eived .'."^2 voles, and .all other candidates eleven, (jeneral Winlii Id Scoil was the Whig' cantJidate. (ieneial I'len c was eleeled wilfi jrrcat nijammity. Only four .Slates Veimont, .M.iss.aehnsel Is, Ken. lucky aiifl 'Tennessee — cast their eleeloi.il votes af^ainsl him. March 4, 1H53, he was inauf^nraled President of the United .Slates, and William \i. Kiiij^, V'n c I'resident. President Pierce's cabinet consisted ol Willi.im S. Marcy, fames Gnl In ie, |c||crson Davis, James C. Dobbin, l Kansas, took possession of the f>olls, drrjve away the citizens, deposited their own votc-s by handluls, went thrcjugh the farce of count- ing them, and then declared that, by an overwhelming majority, slavery was cstalj- lished in Kansas. 'These f;iels iioborly denied, and \il President Pk 11 e', adrnini'- Iraliori (ell bound lo 1 i- ,pei I llii- decision oblamed by such vol''.. The cilizens ol Kansas, the in.ajorily of whom weic free- Slate nil n, met in (iinvenliori and ai|o|ite(| I lie lollowiii'', I esol v : " Rcsoh'ii/, 'Th.il tin: body ol lui.-u who, jur I he jiasl two iiioiil lis, ha ve been passing laws foi Ihe people of oiii 'Territory, moved, I oilir.eled .lud dul.ilerl In by the i|einat;ogiies ol olliei Slales, ;ire to us a loreign body, represeni ing on!)' Ihe lawless invaders who elected them, .ind iiol the pe()pl(: ol I his 'Ten itoiy ; ih.il we repudiate I lieii ,11 I K 111 a , ihe moil' 1 1 on, ( on Minii/iat ion mI an act ol violem e, 11 11 1 p.il 1011 ,ind fi and iin|i,u alleli-d ill ill'- history ol Ih'- IIiii'Mi." Ill'- li '■'• Sl.il'- p'')pl'-iil Kansas als'j sent a p'lili'iii to ill'- (>'ii( lal ( iovrnment, im- iiloiing its prol'-'l ion. Ii. leply ihe Presi- il'-iil issued :i pro' l.'iinal ion, ili'l.iiiir' that L'gislal iw thus cr(;at''l iiiir I b'- M'.og- nized as th'- legitimate IvCgisLil in '• ol Kan- sas, anil lh.it lis laws wen- binding U|)')n th'- pe')|)li-, .ind th.il.if necessary, I he wii'de for''- 1 1\ III'- ( civ'i ninental arm woiil'l be put loi I h lo inl'd ' '- I li'jse la ws. James liiii lianan succeeded fiim in the Prcsirlcnc-y, and, M;irf;h 4, iHi;/, Prc-sirlent Pierce I'-Iiwl to Ins li'iiin- in f 'ni'.'ir'l, New Ilampshire. Wfien th'- R'bellioii burst forth Mr. I'ierce remainc'l steadfast to 111'- piim iples hi; li:i'l alw;iys cherishe'l, and gave his syni|)alhi(;s t'j tlu; pro-slavery party, with whii h h<- li;i'l ever fjeen allied. II': d'-clined I') 'I') ;inylhiiig, either by voic; or ])Cn, I'j strenglhen the haii'ls ol the Nati'inal f j'jv';rnmeiil. II'; resid'-'l m C'Mieor'l until his flealli, whi' :li occnrr';d in October, i'6Ciij. II'; w;is '>ii'- 'if the most genial au'l so';i;il of nnai, g';nerous to a fault, ;iii'l ' onl 1 ibiil'-'l liberally of his UKjderatc mean , Im tin: alleviation of suf- fering and wrint. lie was an honored communicant 'jf the Episcopal church. So PRESIDENTS OF THE US'ITED STATES. g^. t'^i'^i'^^i'^'rr'i'iT?!':^^^ • L'.' *?!**>' I*f^i*^i*^'t'<'^i*i^<'v* r ^^.^-^M : IPr ESIfgErSSrkkkkfr^^kfe-liiKEEPtgEgSSPES^^ ^ '^ f^J^" V-'-->..J J# AMES BUCHANAN, the tifteenth President of the St4'*e United States. 1.S57 '61, was born in Fianklin Count y, Pennsylvania, A p r i 1 23, 1791. The place where his lather's cabin stood was called Stony Batter, and it was situated in a wild, romantic spot, in a gorge of mount- ains, with towering sum- mits rising all around. He was of Irish ancestry, his father having emigrated in- 1783, with ver)' little prop- erty, save his own strong arms. James remained in his secluded home for eight years enjoying very few social or intellectual advantages. His parents were industrious, frugal, prosperous and intelli- gent. In 1799 his father removed to Mcr- cersburg, where James was placed in school and commenced a course in English, Greek and Latin. His progress was rapid and in 1801 he entered Dickinson College at Carlisle. Here he took his stand among the first scholars in the institution, and was able to master the most abstruse subjects with facility. In 1809 he graduated with the highest honors in his class. He was then eighteen years of age, tall, graceful and in vigorous health, fond ol athletic sports, an unerring shot and en- livened with an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediatel}" commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, and was admitted to the bar in 1812. He rose very rapidly in his profession and at once took undisputed stand with the ablest law- yers of the State. When but twent)'-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- cessfully defended before the State Senate one of the Judges of the State, who was tried upon articles of impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generalU' admitted that he stood at the head of the bar, and there was no lawver in the State who havl a more extensive or lucrative practice. In 1812, just after Mr. Buchanan hatl entered upon the practice of the law, our second war with England occurred. With all his powers he sustained the Govern- ment, eloqucntlv urging the rigorous pros- ecution of the war; and even enlisfing as a private soldier to assist in repelling the British, who had sacked Washington and were threatening Baltimore. He was at that time a Federalist, but when the Con- stitution was adopted by both parties, Jefferson truly said, " We are all Federal- ists: we are all Republicans." The opposition of the Federalists to the war with England, and the alien and sedi- -^me^ Gy^y^c y€^ yi..^ ,,7^ y.lA/ES BUCHANAN. °?, tion laws of John Adams, brought the party into dispute, and the name of Federalist became a reproach. Mr. Buchanan almost immediately upon entering Congress began to incline more and more to the Repub- licans. In the stormy Presidential election of 1824, in which Jackson, Clay, Crawford and John Ouincy Adams were candidates, Mr. Buchanan espoused the cause of Gen- eral Jackson and unrelentingly opposed the administration of Mr. Adams. Upon his elevation to the Presidency, General Jackson appointed Mr. Buchanan, minister to Russia. Upon his return in i S33 he was elected to a seat in the United States Senate. He there met as his associates, Webster, Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the measures proposed by Presi- dent Jackson of making reprisals against France, and defended the course of the Pres- ident in his unprecedented and wholesale removals from office of those who were not thesupporters of his administration. Upon this question he was brought into direct col- lision with Henry Clay. In the discussion of the question inspecting the admission of Michjo-an and Arkansas into the Union, Mr. Buchanan defined his position by saying: " The older I grow, the more I am in- clined to be what is called a State-rights man." M. de Tocqueville, in his renowned work upon " Democracy in iVmerica," foresaw the trouble which was inevitable from the doctrine of State sovereignty as held by Calhoun and Buchanan. He was con- vinced that the National Government was losing that strength which was essential to its own existence, and that the States were assuming powers which threatened the perpetuity of the Union. Mr. Buchanan received the book in the Senate and de- clared the fears of De Tocqueville to be groundless, and yet he lived to sit in the Presidential chair and see State after State, in accordance with his own views of State rights, breaking from the Union, thus crumbling our Republic into ruins; while the unhappy old man folded his arms in despair, declaring that the National Consti - tution invested him with no power to arrest the destruction. Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presi- dencv, Mr. Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of the Mexi- can war. At the close of Mr. Polk's ad- ministration, Mr. Buchanan retired to pri- vate life; but his intelligence, and his great ability as a statesman, enabled him to exert a powerful influence in National affairs. Mr. Pierce, upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. Buchanan with the mission to England. In the year 1856 the National Democratic convention nomi- nated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The political conflict was one of the most severe in which our country has ever en- gaged. On the 4th of March, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated President. His cabinet were Lewis Cass, Howell Cobb, J. B. Floyd, Isaac Toucey, Jacob Thomp- son, A. V. Brown and J. S. Black. The disruption of the Democratic party, in consequence of the manner in which the issue of the nationality of slavery was pressed by the Southern wing, occurred at the National convention, held at Charleston in April, 1S60, for the nomination of Mr. Buchanan's successor, when the majority of Southern delegates withdrew upon the passage of a resolution declaring that the constitutional status of slavery should be determined by the Supreme Court. In the next Presidential canvass Abra- ham Lincoln was nominated by the oppo- nents of Mr. Buchanan's administration. Mr. Buchanan remained in Washington long enough to see his successor installed and then retired to iiis home in Wheatland. He died June 1, 1868, aged seventy-seven years. S4 PHES/DENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 4^ ' ;•" V "■."?""? !W^ ' jfe^Sirrrrrninr. ;;. -:*:M ■4= ■'• 1^ -'■ ^ Z^;;;^.^. ;7. .-...^i.^j^S h BR AH AM LIN- COLN, the sixteenth President of the United States, i86i-'5, V^ „ was born February "F"'^^^ 12, 1809, in Larue ^y^ (then Hardin) County, Kentucii'. P H'r^ a'r^7SSHaHr5i?Hg5H d'^ . 'r', r^PHg! ri'^FgEe^ aglBl^ SP^FEj^a H^ I ^ : «?> ^^^»7fv^ NDREW JOHNSON, the seventeenth Presi- dent (if the I' II i t c d %' States, 1865-9, was b () r 11 at R a 1 c i f^^ li , ^"-.^ North Carolina, De- '■'i'i^ cembcr 29, 1808. Hisfatherriied when he was four years old, and in his eleventh year he was ap- prenticed to a tailor. I le nev- er attended scho(jl, and did not learn to read until late in his ap|)renticeship, when he suddenly acquired a passion for obtaininj^ knowledge, and devoted all his spare time to reading. Aft(--r working two years as a journey- man tailor at Lauren's Court-House, South Carolina, he removed, in 1826, to Green- ville, Tetmessee, where he worked at his trade and married. Under his wife's in- structions he made rapid progress in his education, and manifested such an intelli- gent interest in local politics as t(j be elected as " workingmen's candidate " al- derman, in 1828, and mayor in 1830, being twice re-elected to each office. During this period he cultivated his tal- ents as a public speaker by taking part in a debating society, consisting largely of stu- dents of Greenville College. In 1835, and again in 1839, he was chosen to the lower house of the Legislature, as a r)emf)crat. Ill 1841 he was elected vState Senator, and in 1843, Representative in Congress, being re-elected four successive periods, until 1853, when he was chosen Governor of Tennessee. In Congress he supported the administrations of Tyler and Polk in their chief measures, especially tin: annexation of Texas, the adjustment of the (Oregon boundary, the Mexican war, and the tariff of 1846. In 1855 Mr. Johnson was re-elected Gov- ernor, and in 1857 entered the United States .Senate, where he was consjjicuous as an advocate of retrenchment and of the FIcjmestead bill, and as an opjionent of the Pacific Railroad. He was suiiported by the Tennessee delegation to the Diinocratic convention in i860 for the Presidential nomination, and lent his influence to the Breckenridge wing of that party. When the election of Lincoln had brought about the first attempt at secession in December, i860, Johnson took in the Senate a firm attitude for the Union, and in May, 1S61, on returning to Tennessee, he was in imminent peril of suffering from 9+ PRESIDEiy^TS OF THE VSIIED STATES. popular violence for his loyalty to the " old flae." He was the leader of the Loyalists' convention of East Tennessee, and during the following winter was very active in or- ganizing relief for the destitute loyal refu- gees from that region, his own family being among those compelled to leave. By his course in this crisis Johnson came prominently before the Northern public, and when in March, 1862, he was appointed by President Lincoln military Governor of Tennessee, with the rank of Brigadier-Gen- eral, he increased in popularit\- by the vig- orous and successful manner in which he labored to restore order, protect Union men and punish marauders. On the ap- proach of the Presidential campaign of 1864, the termination of the war being plainly foreseen, and several Southern States being partially reconstructed, it was felt that the Vice-Presidency should be given to a South- ern man of conspicuous loyalty, and Gov- ernor Johnson was elected on the same platfonn and ticket as President Lincoln; and on the assassination of the latter suc- ceeded to the Presidency, April 15, 1865. In a public speech two days later he said: "The American people must be taught, if they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and must be punished; that the Gov- ernment will not always bear with its ene- mies; that it is strong, not only to protect, but to punish. In our peaceful history treason has been almost unknown. The people must understand that it is the black- est of crimes, and will be punished." He then added the ominous sentence: " In re- gard to my future course, I make no prom- ises, no pledges." President Johnson re- tained the cabinet of Lincoln, and exhibited considerable severity- toward traitors in his earlier acts and speeches, but he soon inaug- urated a policy of reconstruction, proclaim- ing a general amnesty to the late Confeder- ates, and successively establishing provis- ional Governments in the Southern States. These States accordingly claimed represen- tation in Congress in the following Decem- ber, and the momentous question of what should be the policy of the victorious Union toward its late armed opponents was forced upon that bod\-. Two considerations impelled the Repub- lican majority to reject the policy of Presi, dent Johnson: First, an apprehension that the chief magistrate intended to undo the re- suits of the war in i-egard to slavery; and, sec- ond, the sullen altitude of the South, which seemed to be plotting to regain the polic}- which arms had lost. The credentials of the Southern members elect were laid on the table, a civil rights bill and a bill extending the sphere of the Freedmen's Bureau were passed over the executive veto, and the two highest branches of the Government were soon in open antagonism. The action of Congress was characterized by the Presi- dent as a " new rebellion." In July the cabinet was reconstructed, Messrs. Randall, Stanbury and Browning taking the places of Messrs. Denison, Speed and Harlan, and an unsuccessful attempt was made by means of a general convention in Philadel- phia to form a new [)arty on the basisof the administration policy. In an excursion to Chicago for the pur- pose of laying a corner-stone of the monu- ment to Stephen A. Douglas, President Johnson, accompanied by several members of the cabinet, passed through Philadelphia. New York and Albany, in each of which cities, and in other places along the route, he made speeches justifying and explaining his own policy, and violently denouncing the action of Congress. August 12, 1867, President Johnson re- moved the Secretary of War, replacing him by General Grant. Secretary Stanton retired under protest, based upon the ten- ure-of-office act which had been passed the preceding March. The President then is- sued a proclamation declaring the insurrec- A NDRB W JOHNSON. tion at an end, and that " peace, order, tran- quility and civil authority existed in and throughout the United States." Another proclamation enjoined obedience to the Constitution and the laws, and an amnesty was published September 7, relieving nearly all the participants in the late Rebellion from the disabilities thereby incurred, on condition of taking the oath to support the Constitution and the laws. In December Congress refused to confirm the removal of Secretary Stanton, who thereupon resumed the exercise of his of- fice; but February 21, 1868, President Johnson again attempted to remove him, appointing General Lorenzo Thomas in his place. Stanton refused to vacate his post, and was sustained by the Senate. February 24 the House of Representa- tives voted to impeach the President for " high crime and misdemeanors," and March 5 presented eleven articles of impeachment on the ground of his resistance to the exe- cution of the acts of Congress, alleging, in addition to the offense lately committed, his public expressions of contempt for Con- gress, in " certain intemperate, inflamma- tory and scandalous harangues" pronounced in August and September, 1866, and there- after declaring that the Thirty-ninth Con- gress of the United States was not a competent legislative body, and denying its power to propose Constitutional amend- ments. March 23 the impeachment trial began, the President appearing by counsel, and resulted in acquittal, the vote lacking one of the two-thirds vote required for conviction. The remainder of President Johnson's term of office was passed without any such conflicts as might have been anticipated. He failed to obtain a nomination for re- election by the Democratic party, though receiving sixty-five votes on the first ballot. July 4 and December 25 new proclamations of pardon to the participants in the late Rebellion were issued, but were of little effect. On the accession of General Grant to the Presidency, March 4, 1869, Johnson returned to Greenville, Tennessee. Unsuc- cessful in 1870 and 1872 as a candidate re- spectively for United States Senator and Representative, he was finally elected to the Senate in 1875, and took his seat in the extra session of March, in which his speeches were comparatively temperate. He died July 31, 1875, and was buried at Green- ville. President Johnson's admmistiation was a peculiarly unfortunate one. That he should so soon become involved in bitter feud with the Republican majority in Congress was certainly a surprising and deplorable inci- dent; yet, in reviewing the circumstances after a lapse of so many years, it is easy to find ample room for a charitable judgment of both the parties in the heated contro- versy, since it cannot be doubted that any President, even Lincoln himself, had he lived, must have sacrificed a large portion of his popularity in carrying out any pos- sible scheme of reconstruction. 'p PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. ^y^ » a i i t l I ? i i T i i lirl ii j i i l .i l i i S. ^.}^*'VTJ^m ¥T 1 ♦5r *] U' g« r¥ ri r¥ »■ "■■ ■ ■ t^ yr n n rj "- ««^Eif^igiK ^^,^' ;-.^^. ^^^'.'^ -.■vi%^ "^k; ^iC'*--' ^^i j li i li i l jliii l l ii l li l i lll i ni a lj ii li i ij ii l . j ii j ii i i li. »»: "{■t* ^ ifc^-^-^LY Fg^,;>-*'^ SSES SIMPSON GRANT, the eight- eenth President of the United States, i869-'77, was born April 27, 1822, at Po i n t Pleasant, 'i'Ti^ Clermont Countv, Oiiio. His father was of Scotch descent, and a dealer in leather. At the age of seventeen he en- tered the Military Academ}' at West Point, and four jears later graduated twenty-first in a class of thirty-nine, receiving the commission of Brevet Second ieutenant. He was assigned to the Fourth Infantrv and re- mained in the army eleven years. He was engaged in every battle of the Mexican war except that of Buena \'ista, and received two brevets for gallantry. In 1848 Mr. Grant married Julia, daughter of Frederick Dent, a jirominent merchant of St. Louis, and in 1S54, having reached the grade of Captain, he resigned his commis- sion in the army. For several years he fol- lowed farming near St. Louis, but unsuc- cessfully ; and in i860 he entered the leather trade with his father at Galena, Illinois. When the civil war broke out in 1861, Grant was thirty-nine years of age, but en- tirely unknown to public men and without any personal acquaintance with great affairs. President Lincoln's first call for troops was made on the 15th of April, and on the 19th Grant was drilling a company of volimteers at Galena. He also offered his services to the Adjutant-General of the army, but re- ceived no replv. The Governor of Illinois, however, employed him in the organization of volunteer troops, and at the end of five weeks he was appointed Colonel of the Twenty-first Infantry. He took command of his regiment in June, and reported first to General Pope in Missouri. His superior knowledge of military life rather surprised his superior officers, who had never before even heard of him, and they were thus led to place him on the road to rapid advance- ment. August 7 he was commissioned a Brigadier-General of volunteers, the ap- pointment having been made without his knowledge. He had been unanimously recommended bv the Congressmen from Illinois, not one of wluini had been his personal acquaintance. For a few weeks he was occupied in watching the move- ments of partisan forces in Missouri. September i he was placed in command of the District of Southeast Missouri, with headquarters at Cairo, and on the 6th, with- out orders, he seized Paducah, at the mouth of the Tennessee River, and commanding tiic navigation both of that stream and oi [/LISSES S. GRANT. 99 the Ohio. This stroke secured Kentucky to the Union ; for the State Legislature, which had until then affected to be neutral, at once declared in favor of the Govern- ment. In November following, according to orders, he made a demonstration about eighteen miles below Cairo, preventing tiie crossing of hostile troops into Missouri ; but in order to accomplish this purpose he had to do some fighting, and that, too, with only 3,000 raw recruits, against 7,000 Con- federates. Grant carried off two pieces of artillery and 200 prisoners. After repeated applications to General Halleck, his immediate superior, he was allowed, in February, 1862, to move up the Tennessee River against Fort Henry, in conjunction with a naval force. The gun- boats silenced the fort, and Grant immedi- ately made preparations to attack Fort Donelson, about twelve miles distant, on the Cumberland River. Without waiting for orders he moved his troops there, and with 15,000 men began the siege. The fort, garrisoned with 21,000 men, was a strong one, but after hard fighting on three successive days Grant forced an " Uncon- ditional Surrender " (an alliteration upon the initials of his name). The prize he capt- ured consisted of sixty-five cannon, 17,600 small arms and 14,623 soldiers. About 4,- 000 of the garrison had escaped in the night, and 2,500 were killed or wounded. Grant's entire loss was less than 2,000. This was the first important success won by the national troops during the war, and its strategic re- sults were marked, as the entire States of Kentucky and Tennessee at once fell into the National hands. Our hero was made a Major-General of Volunteers and placed in command of the District of West Ten- nessee. In March, 1862, he was ordered to move up the Tennessee River toward Corinth, where the Confederates were concentrat- ing a large army ; but he was directed not to attack. His forces, now numbering 38.- 000, were accordingly encamped near Shi- loh, or Pittsburg Landing, to await the arrival of General Buell with 40,000 more; but April 6 the Confederates came out from Corinth 50,000 strong and attacked Grant violently, hoping to overwhelm him before Buell could arrive ; 5,000 of his troops were beyond supporting distance, so that he was largely outnumbered and forced back to the river, where, however, he held out until dark, when the head of Buell's column came upon the field. The next day the Confederates were driven back to Corinth, nineteen miles. The loss was heavy on both sides; Grant, being senior in rank to Buell, commanded on both days. Two days afterward Halleck arrived at the front and assumed command of the army. Grant remaining at the head of the right wing and the reserve. On May 30 Corinth was evacuated by the Confederates. In July Halleck was made General-in-Chief, and Grant succeeded him in command of the Department of the Tennessee. September 19 the battle of luka was fought, where, owing to Rosecrans's fault, only an incom- plete victory was obtained. Next, Grant, with 30,000 men, moved down into Mississippi and threatened Vicks- burg, while Sherman, with 40,000 men, was sent by way of the river to attack that place in front; but, owing to Colonel Murphy's surrendering Holly Springs to the Con- federates, Grant was so weakened that he had to retire to Corinth, and then Sherman failed to sustain his intended attack. In January, 1863, General Grant took command in person of all the troops in the Mississippi Valley, and spent several months in fruitless attempts to compel the surrender or evacuation of Vicksburg; but July 4, following, the place surrendered, with 31,- 600 men and 172 cannon, and the Mississippi River thus fell permanently into the hands of the Government. Grant was made a tOf C. PltESIDE.V'JS OF J HE UMTED STAThS. Major-General in the regular army, and in October following he was placed in com- mand of the Division of the Mississippi. The same month he went to Chattanooga and saved the Army of the Cumberland from starvation, and drove Bragg from that part of the countr}-. This victory over- threw the last important hostile force west of the Alleghanies and opened the way for the National armies into Georgia and Sher- man's march to the sea. The remarkable series of successes which Grant had now achieved pointed him out as the appropriate leader of the National armies, and accordingly, in February, 1864, the rank of Lieutenant-General was created for him by Congress, and on March 17 he assumed command of the armies of the United States. Planning the grand final campaign, he sent Sherman into Georgia, Sigel into the valley of Virginia, and Butler to capture Richmond, while he fought his own way from the Rapidan to the James. The costly but victorious battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna and Cold Harbor were fought, more for the purpose of annihilating Lee than to capture any particular point. In June, 1864, the siege of Richmond was begun. Sherman, meanwhile, was marching and fighting daily in Georgia and steadily advancing toward Atlanta ; but Sigel had been defeated in the valley of Virginia, and was superseded by Hunter. Lee sent Early to threaten the Na- tional capital ; whereupon Grant gathered up a force which lie placed under Sheridan, and that commander rapidly drove Early, in a succession of battles, througli tiic valley of Virginia and destroyed his army as an organized force. The siege of Richmond went on, and Grant made numerous attacks, but was only partially successful. The people of the North grew impatient, and even the Government advised him to abandon the attempt to take Richmond or crush the Confederacy in that way ; but he never wavered. He resolved to " fight it out on that line, if it took all summer." By September Sherman had made his way to Atlanta, and Grant then sent him on his famous " march to the sea," a route which the chief had designed six months before. He made Sherman's success possi- ble, not only by holding Lee in front of Richmond, but also by sending reinforce- ments to Thomas, who then drew off and defeated the only army which could have confronted Sherman. Thus the latter was left unopposed, and, with Thomas and Sheri- dan, was used in the furtherance of Grant's plans. Each executed his part in the great design and contributed his share to the re- sult at which Grant was aiming. Sherman finally reached Savannah, Schofield beat the cncmv at Franklin, Thomas at Nash- ville, and Sheridan wherever he met him ; and all this while General Grant was hold- ing Lee, with the principal Confederate army, near Richmond, as it were chained and helpless. Then Schofield was brought from the West, and Fort Fisher and Wil- mington were captured on the sea-coast, so as to aflord him a foothold ; from here he was sent into the interior of North Caro- lina, and Sherman was ordered to move northward to join him. When all this was effected, and Sheridan could find no one else to fight in the Shenandoah Valley, Grant brought the cavalry leader to the front of Richmond, and, making a last effort, drove Lee from his entrenchments and captured Richmontl. At tiic beginning of the final campaign Lee had collected 73,000 fighting men in the lines at Richmond, besides the local militia and the gunboat crews, amounting to 5,000 more. Including Sheridan's force Grant had 1 10,000 men in the works before Petersburg and Richmond. Petersburg fell on the 2d of April, and Richmond on tl-.e 3d, and Lee fled in the direction of Lynch- burg. Grant pursued with remorseless i/LrssES s. (;ra,\t. energy, only stopping to strike fresh blows, and Lee at last found himself not only out- fought but also out-marched and out-gen- eraled. Being completely surrounded, he surrendered on the 9th of April, 1865, at Appomattox Court-House, in the open fiekl, with 27,000 men, all that remained of his army. This act virtually ended tiie war. Thus, in ten days Grant had captured Petersburg and Richmond, fought, by his subordinates, the battles of Five Forks and Sailor's Creek, besides numerous smaller ones, captured 20,000 men in actual battle, and received the surrender of 27,000 more at Appomattox, absolutely annihilating an army of 70,000 soldiers. General Grant returned at once to Wash- ington to superintend the disbandment of the armies, but this pleasurable work was scarcely begun when President Lincoln was assassinated. It had doubtless been in- tended to inflict the same fate upon Grant ; but he, fortunately, on account of leaving Washington early in the evening, declined an invitation to accompany the President to the theater where the murder was com- mitted. This event made .Vndrew Johnson President, but left Grant by far the most conspicuous figure in the public life of the country. He became the object of an en- thusiasm greater than had ever been known in America. Every possible honor was heaped upon him ; the grade of General was created for him by Congress; houses were presented to him by citizens; towns were illuminated on his entrance into them ; and, to cap the climax, when he made his tour around the world, "all nations did him honor" as they had never before honored a foreigner. The General, as Commander-in-Chief, was placed in an embarrassing position by the opposition of President Johnson to the measures of Congress ; but he directly man- ifested his characteristic loyalty by obeying Congress rather than the disaffected Presi- dent, although for a short time he had served in his cabinet as Secretary of War. Of course, everybody thought of General Grant as the next President of the United States, and he was accordingly elected as such in 1868 " by a large majority," and four years later re-elected by a much larger majority — the most overwhelming ever given by the people of this country. His first administration was distinguished by a ces- sation of the strifes which sprang from the war, by a large retluction of the National debt, and by a settlement of the difficulties with England which had grown out of the depredations committed by privateers fit- ted out in England during the war. This last settlement was made by the famous " Geneva arbitration," which saved to this Government $15,000,000, but, more than all, prevented a war with England. "Let us have peace," was Grant's motto. And this is the most appropriate place to remark that above all Presidents whom this Gov- ernment has ever had. General Grant was the most non-partisan. He regarded the Executive office as purely and exclusively executive of the laws of Congress, irrespect- ive of " politics." But every great man has jealous, bitter enemies, a fact Grant was well aware of. After the close of his Presidency, our General made his famous tour around the world, already referred to, and soon after- ward, in company with Ferdinand Ward, of New York City, he engaged in banking and stock brokerage, which business was made disastrous to Grant, as well as to him- self, by his rascality. By this time an in- curable cancer of the tongue developed itself in the person of the afflicted ex- President, which ended his unrequited life July 23, 1885. Thus passed away from earth's turmoils the man, the General, who was as truly the " father of this regenerated country" as was Washington the father of the infant nation. PRES/DEXTS OF THE UXITED STATES. ^^. g kriWPM Fmn n i n?" * i ' m T t\ mrfi mrrt ^ r/^oi>. -^f||**Si^MifilESoljt) t?.jXW.4*|g^ JTHERFORD BIRCH- ARD HAYES, thenine- ' teenth President of ' the United States, i877-'8i, was born in f^sr^#^T^^^' 'i, , Delaware, Ohio, Oc- '^(.■m^-'^-^^^ tober 4, .822. His ancestry can be traced as far back as 1280, when Hayes and Rutherford were two Scottish chieftains fighting side by side with Baliol, WilHam Wallace and Robert Bruce. Both fami- lies belonged to the nobility, owned extensive estates and had a large following. The Hayes family had, for a coatof-arms, a shield, barred and surmounted by a flying eagle. There was a circle of stars about the eagle and above the shield, while on a scroll underneath the shield was inscribed the motto, " Recte." Misfortune overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scotland in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Connecticut. He was an industrious worker in wood and iron, having a mechanical genius and a cul- tivated mind. His son George was born in Windsor and remained there during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, married Sarah Lee, and lived in Simsburv, Con- necticut. Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufacturer of scythes at Bradford, Connecticut. Rutherford Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a famous black- smith and tavern-keeper. He immigrated to Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro where he established a hotel. Here his son Rutherford, father of Presi- dent Hayes, was born. In September, 1813, he married Sophia Birchard, of Wilming- ton, Vermont, whose ancestry on the male side is traced back to 1635, to John Birch- ard, one of the principal founders of Nor- wich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. The father of President Hayes was of a mechanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stocking, or do almost anything that he might undertake. He was prosperous in business, a member of the church and active in all the benevolent enterprises of the town. After the close of the war of 181 2 he immigrated to Ohio, and purchased a farm near the present town of Delaware. His family then consisted of his wife and two children, and an orphan girl whom he had adopted. It was in 1817 that the family arrived at Delaware. Instead of settling upon his O .-/LvC^ // RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 'OS farm, Mr. Hayes concluded to enter into business in the village. He purchased an interest in a distillery, a business then as re- spectable as it was profitable. His capital and recognized ability assured him the highest social position in the community. He died July 22, 1822, less than three months before the birth of the son that was dfistined to fill the office of President of the United States. Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he was not expected to live beyond a month or two at most. As the months went by he grew weaker and weaker so that the neighbors were in the habit of inquiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes's baby died last night." On one oc- casion a neighbor, who was on friendly terms with the famiU , after alluding to the boy's big head and the mother's assiduous care of him, said to her, in a bantering way, "That's right! Stick to him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't won- der if he would really come to something yet." " You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes, " you wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him President of the United States yet." The boy lived, in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy death; and when, in 1825, his elder brother was drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his mother. He was seven years old before he was placed in school. His education, however, was not neglected. His sports were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being his sister and her associates. These circum- stances tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of disposition and that delicate consideration for the feelings of others whicli are marked traits of his character. At school he was ardently devoted to his studies, obedient to the teacher, and care- ful to avoid the quarrels in which many of his schoolmates were involved. He was always waiting at the school-house door when it opened in the morning, and never late in returning to his seat at recess. His sister Fannie was his constant companion, and their affection for each other excited the admiration of their friends. In 1S38 young Hayes entered Kenyon College and graduated in 1842. He then began the study of law in the office ol Thomas Sparrow at Columbus. His health was now well established, his figure robust, his mind vigorous and alert. In a short time he determined to enter the law school at Cambridge, Massachusetts, where for two years he pursued his studies with great diligence. In 1845 he was admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he remained three years, acquiring but limited practice, and apparently unambitious ot distinction in his profession. His bachelor uncle, Sardis Birchard, who had always manifested great interest in his nephew and rendered him assistance in boyhood, was now a wealthy banker, and it was under- stood that the young man would be his heir. It is possible that this expectation may have made Mr. Hayes more indifferent to the attainment of wealth than he would otherwise have been, but he was led into no extravagance or vices on this account. In 1849 '^^ removed to Cincinnati where his ambition found new stimulus. Two events occurring at this period had a pow- erful influence upon his subsequent life. One of them was his marriage to Miss Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of Cincinnati; the other was his introduction to the Cincinnati Literary Club, a body embracing such men as Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, General John Pope and Governor Edward F. Noyes. The marriage was a fortunate one as every- body knows. Not one of all the wives ol io6 PRESIDENTS OF THE UX/TED STATES. our Presidents was more universally ad- mired, reverenced and beloved than is Mrs. Hayes, and no one has done more than she to reflect honor upon American woman- hood. In 1856 JSIr. Hayes was nominated to the office of Judge o( the Court of Common Pleas, but declined to accept tiu' nomina- tion. Two years later he was chosen to the office of City Solicitor. In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was eager to take up arms in the defense of his country. His military life was bright and illustrious. June 7, 1861, he was appointed Major of the Twcntv-lhird Ohio Infantry. In July the regiment was sent to Virginia. October 15, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Ccjloncl of his regiment, and in .August, 1862, was promoted Colonel of the Seventy-ninth Ohio Regiment, but refused to leave his old comrades. He was wounded at the battle of South Mountain, and suffered severely, being unable to enter upon active duty for several weeks. No- vember 30, 1862, he rejoined his regiment as its Colonel, having been promoted Octo- ber 1 5. December 25, 1862, he was placed in com- mand of the Kanawha division, and for meritorious service in several battles was promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted .Major-General for distinguislicd services in 1864. He was wounded lour times, and five horses were shot from under him. -Mr. Hayes was first a Whig in politics, and was among the first to unite with the Free-Soil and Republican parties. In 1864 he was elected to Congress from che Sec- ond Ohio District, which had always been Democratic, receiving a majority of 3,098. In 1866 he was renominated for Congress and was a second time elected. In 1867 he was elected Governor over Allen G. Thur- man, the Democratic candidate, and re- elected in 1869. In 1874 Sardis Birchard died, leaving his large estate to General Hayes. In 1876 he was nominated for the Presi- dency. His letter of acceptance excited the admiration of the whole country. He resigned the office of Governor and retired to his home in Fremont to await the result of the canvass. After a hard, long contest he was inaugurated March 5, 1877. His Presidency was characterized by compro- mises with all parties, in order to please as man}- as possible. The close of his Presi- dential term in 1881 was the close of his public life, and since then he has remained at his home in Fremont, Ohio, in Jefferso- nian retirement from public notice, in strik- ing contrast with most others of the wcjrld's notables. yAA/ES A. GARFIELD. 1 09 \ '^i^-.K ;■l^.''l^;•l^;>l^;'l^7'l^:*l•^>'^'^^%'V^^<^|*"/.^'T''l'r^(^.^l*rr'(*r■^'r^^^^^^ p .^^j;4Mii 4. t4MiE~ikl. aa3ii33^33jiasasra'aBfc^"^^-^'>^'^'^^'-i^^?^'^s?raa jgi'iai'(gs'»^.S?(^(^'r3*(^a^yfr-^«s£a«sgit>- 'tifj '•!• iij» -I- t4> •!■ «j» -T- (a)ac'l^■.>l'oal'vi; -i- "«j» -i- <*»■ -r-" «i. -r-' to •oiii;^^- i^: HESTER ALLEN ARTHUR, the twcn- ty-t'irst Chief Execu- tive of this growing republic, 1881 -'5, was born in F r a n k H u County, Vermont, October 5, 1830, the eldest of a tainil}' of two sons and five daughters. His father. Rev. Dr. William Arthur, a Bai)tist clergyman, immigrated to this country from County Antrim, Ireland, in his eighteenth year, and died in 1875, in Newton- ville, near Albany, New York, after serving many years as a successful minister. Chester A. was educated at that old, conservative institution. Union Col- lege, at Schenectady, New York, where he excelled in all his studies. He graduated there, with honor, and then struck out in life for himself by teaching school for about two years in his native State. At the expiration of that time young Arthur, with $500 in his purse, went to the city of New York and entered the law office of ex-Judge E. D. Culver as a student. In due time he was admitted to the bar, when he formed a partnership with his intimate friend and old room-mate, Henry D. Gar. diner, with the intention of practicing law at some point in the West; but after spend- ing about three months in the Westeri; States, in search of an eligible place, they returned to New York City, leased a room, exhibited a sign of their business and al- most immediately enjoyed a paying patron- age. At this stage of his career Mr. Arthur's business prospects were so encouraging that he concluded Id take a wife, and ac- cordingly he married the daughter of Lieu- tenant Herndon, cjf the United States Navy, who had been lost at sea. To the widow of the latter Congress voted a gold medal, in recognition of the Lieutenant's bravery during the occasion in which he lost liis life. Mrs. Artnur died shortly before her husband's nomination to the Vice-I'resi- dency, leaving two children. Mr. Arthur obtained considerable celeb- rity as an attorney in the famous Lemmon suit, which was brought to recover posses- sion of eight slaves, who had been declared free by the Superior Court of New York City. The noted Charles O'Conor, who was nominated by the "Straight Demo- crats" in 1872 for the United States Presi- dency, was retained by Jonathrm G. Lcm- I'4 PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. moii, of Virginia, to recover the negroes, but he lost the suit. In this case, however, Mr. Arthur was assisted by William M. Evarts, now United States Senator. Soon afterward, in 1856, a respectable colored woman was ejected from a street car in New York City. Mr. .Arthur sued the car company in her bclialf and recovered $500 damages. Immediatel}' afterward all the car companies in the city issued orders to their employes to admit colored persons upon their cars. Mr. Arthur's political doctrines, as well as his practice as a lawyer, raised iiim to prominence in the party of freedom; and accordingly he was sent as a delegate to the first National Republican Convention. Soon afterward he was appointed Judge Advocate for the Second I^rigade of the State of New York, ami then Engineer-in- Chief on Governor .Morgan's staff. In if^6i, the first year of the war, he was made In- spector-General, and next, Quartermaster- General, in both which offices he rendered great service to the Government. After the close of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the practice of law, forming first a partnership with Mr. Ransom, and subse- quently adding Mr. Phelps to the firm. Each of these gentlemen were able law3'ers. November 21, 1872, General Arthur was appointed Collector of the Port of New York by President Grant, and he lield the office until July 20, 1878. The next event of prominence in Genera! Arthur's career was his nomination to tlie V ice-Presidency of the United States, under the influence of Roscoe Conkling, at the National Republican Convention held at Chicago in June, 1880, when James A. Gar- field was placed at the head of the ticket. Both the convention and the campaign that followed were noisy and exciting. The triends of Grant, constituting nearly half the convention, were exceedingly persist- ent, and were sorely disappomted over their defeat. At the head of the Demo- cratic ticket was placed a ver}'^ strong and popular man ; yet Garfield and Arthur were elected by a respectable pluraht}' of the popular vote. The 4th of March following, these gentlemen were accordingly inaugu- rated ; but within four months the assassin's bullet made a fatal wound in the person of General Garfield, whose life terminated September 19, 1881, when General Arthur, ex officio, was obliged to take the chief reins of government. Some misgivings were entertained bv many in this event, as Mr. Arthur was thought to represent espe cially the Grant and Conkling wing of the Republican [jartv ; but President .Vrthur had both the ability and tlie good sense to allay all fears, and he gave the restless, critical American people as good an ad- ministration as they had ever been blessed with. Neither selfishness nor low parti- sanism ever characterized any feature of his public service. He ever maintained a high sense of every individual right as well as of the Nation's honor. Indeed, he stood so high that his successor, President Cleve- land, though of opposing politics, expressed a wish in his inaugural address that he could onlv satisfy the people witli as good an administration. But the day of civil service reform had come in so far, and the corresponding re- action against " third-termism" had en- croached so far even upon "second-term" service, that the Republican partv saw fit in 1884 to nominate another man for Presi- dent. Only by this means was General Arthur's tenure of office closed at Wash- ingtiiii. On bis retirement from the Presi- dency, March, 18S5, he engaged iii the practice t)t' law at Kew York City, where he died -Xovomher l^i, l^^O. ^ r GROVRR CLEVELAND. 117 ^i><. -^ ^<-j»t^* 1< ->^^^ ^^l*f \ ':^^'T ROVER CLEVE- ^^ LAND, the twenty- ;,f second I'resident of the United States, 18S5— , was born in Caldwell, Essex Count \-, New Jersey, March 18, 1837. The house in whicii he was born, a small two-storv ^ wooden budding, is still stand- ;|#;itw^^ ing. It was the parsonage of CfeW^) the Presbyterian church, of which his lather, Richard Cleveland, at the time was pastor. The family is of New England origin, and for two centuries has contributed to the professions and to busi- ness, men who have reflected honor on the name. Aanin Cleveland, Grover Cleve- land's (jfreat-o^reat-grandfathcr, was born in Massachusetts, but subsequently moved to Philadelphia, where he became an intimate friend of Benjamin Franklin, at whose house he died. He left a large family of children, who in time married and settled in different parts of New England. A grandson was one of the small American force that fought the British at Bunker Hill. He served with gallantr}' through- out the Revolution and was honorably discharged at its close as a Lieutenant in the Continental army. Another grandson, William Cleveland (a son of a second Aaron Cleveland, who was distinguished as a writer and member of the Connecticut Legislature) was Gr<5ver Cleveland's grand- father. William Cleveland became a silver- smith in Norwich, Connecticut. He ac- quired by industry S(.)me propert)' and sent his son, Richard Cleveland, the father of Grover Cleveland, to Yale College, vviiere he graduated in 1824. During a year spent in teaching at Baltimore, Maryland, after graduation, he met and fell in love with a Miss Annie Neale, daughter of a wealthv Baltimore book publisher, of Irish birth. He was earning his own way in the world at the time and was unable to marry; but in three years he completed a course of preparation for the ministry, secured a church in Windham, Connecticut, and married Annie Neale. Subsequently he moved to Portsmouth, V diere he preached for nearly two years, when he was summoned to Caldwell, New Jersey, where was born Grover Cleveland. When he was three years old the family moved to Fayetteville, Onondaga County, New York. Here Grover Cleveland lived until he was fourteen years old, the rugged, healthful life of a country boy. His frank, generous manner made him a favorite among his companions, and their respect was won by the good qualities in the germ which his manhood developed. He at- tended the district school of the village and ii8 PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. was for a short time at the academy. His lather, however, believed that boys should be taught to labor at an early age, and be- fore he had completed the course of study at the academy he began to work in the village store at S50 for the first year, and the promise of $100 for the second year. His work was well done and the promised in- crease of pay was granted the second year. Meanwhile his father and family had moved to Clinton, the seat of Hamilton College, where his father acted as agent to the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, preaching in the churches of the vicinity. Hither Grover came at his father's request shortly after the beginning of his second year at the Fayetteville store, and resumed his studies at the Clinton Academy. After three years spent in this town, the Rev. Richard Cleveland was called to the vil- lage church of Holland Patent. He had preached here only a month when he was suddenly stricken down and died without an hour's warning. The death of the father left the family in straitened circumstances, as Richard Cleveland had spent all his salary of $1,000 per year, which was not required for the necessary expenses of liv- ing, upon the education of his children, of whom there were nine, Grover being the fifth. Grover was hoping to enter Hamil- ton College, but the death of iiis father made it necessary for him to earn his own livelihood. For the first year (iS53-'4) he acted as assistant teacher and bookkeeper in the Institution for the Blind in New York City, of which the late Augustus Schell was for many )'ears the patron. In the winter of 1854 he returned to Holland Patent where the generous people of that place, Fayetteville and Clinton, had purchased a home for his mother, and in the following spring, borrowing $25, he set out for the West to earn his living. Reaching Buffalo he paid a hasty visit to an uncle, Lewis F. Allen, a well-known stock farmer, living at Black Rock, a few miles distant. He communicated his plans to Mr. Allen, who discouraged the idea of the West, and finall)- induced the enthusi- astic boy of seventeen to remain with him and help him prepare a catalogue of blooded short-horn cattle, known as " Allen's Amer- ican Herd Book," a publication familiar to all breeders of cattle. In August, 1S55, he entered the law office of Rogers, Bowen & Rogers, at Buffalo, and after serving a few months without pav, was paid §4 a week — an amount barel}' sufficient to meet the necessary expenses of his board in the family of a fellow-student in Buffalo, with whom he took lodgings. Life at this time with Grover Cleveland was a stern battle with the world. He took his breakfast by candle-light with the drovers, and went at once to the office where the whole day was spent in work and stud}-. Usually he re- turned again at night to resume reading which had been interrupted by the duties of the day. Gradually his cmplovers came to recognize the ability, trustworthiness and capacit)' for hard work in their young employe, and by the time he was admitted to the bar (1859) he stood high in their con- fidence. A year later he was made confi- dential and managing clerk, and in the course of three years more his salary had been raised to $1,000. In 1863 he was ap- pointed assistant district attorney of Erie County by the district attorney, the Hon. C. C. Torrance. Since his first vote had been cast in 1858 he had been a staunch Democrat, and until lie was chosen Governor he always made it his duty, rain or shine, to stand at the polls and give out ballots to Democratic voters. During the first year of his term as assistant district attorney, the Democrats desired especially to carry the Board of Su- pervisors. The ofd Second Ward in which he lived was Republican- ordinarily by 250 majority, but at the urgent request of the GRO VER CL E VELA ND. 119 party Grover Cleveland consented to be the Democratic candidate for Supervisor, dnd came within thirteen votes of an elec- tion. The three years spent in the district attorney's office were devoted to assiduous labor and the extension of his professional attainments. He then formed a law part- nership with the late Isaac V. Vanderpoel, ex-State Treasurer, under the firm name of Vanderpoel cSc Cleveland. Here the bulk of the work devolved on Cleveland's shoul- ders, and he soon won a good standing at the bar of Erie County. In 1869 Mr. Cleveland formed a partnership with ex- Senator A. P. Laning and ex-Assistant United States District Attorney Oscar Fol- som, under the firm name of Laning, Cleve- land & Folsom. During these years he began to earn a moderate professional in- come; but the larger portion of it was sent to his mother and sisters at Holland Patent to whose support he had contributed ever since i860. He served as sheriff of Erie County, i870-'4, and then resumed the practice of law, associating himself with the Hon. Lvman K. Bass and Wilson S. Bissell. The firm was strong and popular, and soon commanded a large and lucrative practice. Ill health forced the retirement of Mr. Bass in 1879, and the firm became Cleveland & Bissell. In 1881 Mr. George J. Sicard was added to the firm. In the autumn election of 1881 he was elected mayor of Buffalo by a majority ot over 3,500 — the largest majority ever given a candidate for mayor^and the Democratic city ticket was successful, although the Republicans carried Buffalo by over 1,000 majority for their State ticket. Grover Cleveland's administration as mayor fully justified the confidence reposed in him by the people of Buffalo, evidenced by the great vote he received. The Democratic State Convention met at Syracuse, September 22, 1882, and nomi- nated Grover Cleveland for Governor on the third ballot and Cleveland was elected by 192,000 majority. In the (all of 1884 he was elected President of the United States by about 1,000 popular majority, in New York State, and he was accordingly inaugurated the 4th of March following. PRESTDEXTS OF THE tW'ITED STATES. =/**-*. ^=^-^^. BENJAMIN HAI^I^ISON. liENJAMIN HARRISON, the twenty-third Presi- dent of the United States, 1889, was born at North Bend, Hamilton (bounty, Ohio, in the house of his grandfather, "William Hen- ry Harrison (who was the ninth J^resident of this country), August 20th, 1833. He is a descendant of one of the historical families of this country, as also of P^ngland. The head of the family was a Major-(4eneral Harrison who was devoted to the cause of Oliver Cromwell. Jt liecame the duty of this Har- rison to participate in the trial of Charles 1. and afterward to sicrn the death warrant of the king, which subsequently cost him his life. His enemies succeeding to power, he was condemned and executed October 13th, KitiO. His descendants came to America, and the first mention made in history of the Harrison family as representative in public affairs, is that of Benjamin Harrison, great- grandfather of our present President, who was a member of the Continental Congress, 17'''4— 5-0, and one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence, and three times Governor of Virginia. His son, Will- iam Henry Harrison, made a brilliant mili- tary record, was Governor of the Northwest Territory, and the ninth President of the United States. Tlie subject of this sketch at an early age became a student at Farmers College, where he remained two years, at the end of which time he entered Miami University, at Ox- ford, Ohio. Upon graduation from said seat of learninlis, becoming the bead of one of the strongest law firms in the State of Indiana. Sometime prior to the opening of the Presidential campaign of 1888, the two great political parties (Republican and Democratic) drew the line of political l.iattle on the ques- tion of tariff, vvdiich became the leading; issue and the rallyirg watchword during the mem- orable cami,'..;^-n. The Repul)licans appealed to the people for their voice as to a tariff to protect home industries, while the Democrats wanted a tariff for revenue only. The Re- pulilican convention assembled in Chicago in June and selected Mr. Harrison as their standanl bearer on a jilatform of jrinciples, among other important clauses being that (_d' protection, which he cordially indorsed in accepting the nomination. November H, 1888, after a heated canvass, General Harri- son was elected, defeating Grover Cleveland, who was ao-ain the nominee of the Demo- cratic party. He was inaugurated and as- sumed the duties of his office March 4, 1889. 4 X -:^^:m^-i/ ^/<^^t£^(^2y(y t^ .^. fJ. :^fi//ro7^ C//Uf''J- DANE COUNTY, WISCONSIN. 125 [IMEON MILLS.— Any history, bio- graphical or otherwise, of the city of Madison, or in fact of tiie State of Wis- consin, would necessarily be incomplete with- out extended mention and illustration of the life of Simeon Mills, who for over half a centu- ry has been a citizen of the State. During that time he has been in all probability more closely identified with the capital city and its growth than any other citizen now living. Since early in 1837, Mr. Mills has been a citizen of Madison, and during all that time he has occupied a high position in the es- teem and honor of his fellow citizens, and to- day he is an object of love and respect to all who know him. Mr. Mills was born in Norfolk, Litchfield county, Connecticut, February 14, 1810. He is a son of Martin and Clarissa (Tuttle) Mills. Martin Mills was also a native of Norfolk, Connecticut, and his father, Constantine, so far as can now be ascertained, was a citizen of the same town, (constantine Mills was a soldier of the Kevolutionary war, and for such military services received a pension from the Government during his last years. In 1817 he removed to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he died. Martin Mills was reared on a farm in Connecticut, and followed farming in that State until 1812, when ac- companied by his wife and two children, he removed to ( )hio, making tlie journey by team, and taking with him all his possessions. He settled in Ashtabula county, and was one of the pioneers of Moi'gan township, where he purchased a tract of timber land. ICrect- ing a log house on his land in the wilderness, he cleared his farm, which he cultivated un- til his death. His wife was the daughter of Clement and Abigail (Uuttonj Tuttle, and was born in Connecticut. Her jiarents were 10 also natives of Connecticut, and removed to Ohio in 1812, settling in Morgan township. Simeon Mills was less than two years old when his parents removed to Ohio. He grew up in the wilderness, experiencing all the deprivations and hardships incidental to pio- neer life. In those days there were no rail- roads nor convenient markets in the lUickeye State, and the people lived principally upon the products of their land, and upon the wild game, which was abundant in the woods. His education was acquired in the pioneer schools taught in rough log schoolhouses, where the furniture was of the most primitive kind. When he was seven years of age he went to live witli his maternal grandparents, with whom he remained until he reached his ma- jority. At this time he entered a drug house in Ashtabula, where he clerked for some time, and then entered a dry -goods store in Ashta- bula as a clerk, where he remained over a year, and then engaged in mercantile busi- ness for himself at Jefferson, Oliio, con- tinuing there until 1835. During the latter year he made his first visit to the far West. Taking passage on the steamer Thomas Jef- ferson, he made the trij) to Chicago, then a village of about 8U0 people, and while there attended the first land sales held in that city. After remaining in Illinois for a short time he returned to Ohio, but in the following spring, 1836, again left Ohio for the West, with the intention of making it his future home. He made the journey tVom Ohio to Chicago on horseback, thence journeyed on to Joliet, and from there, by way of Galena, to the mining districts of Wisconsin, then a Territory, and was at Belmont during the first session of the Territorial Legislature. In the following June he came to Madison, and permanently settled here, the city at that time consisting of one small log house. He 126 BIOQRAPEIGAL REVIEW OF iiiiiTietliatoly erected a hewn-log house, 16 x 16 feet in size, and then, going to Galena, purchased a stock of goods and at once opened a general store. After continuing success- fully the mercantile business for a number of years, he turned his attention to real estate, his sound judgment and business sagacity en- abling him to realize and appreciate the great possibilities of such investments in the new country in which he had cast his lot, and being a tirm believer iu the future of the then town of Madison. He returnt'd in the spring of 1838 to Ohio for his wife, who had remained behind, and returning to the West they reached Madison the following June. Tiie journey was made by water to Milwaukee, and thence across the country by wagon, crossing Rock river at Janesville. There was then no house between Janesville and Madi- son, a distance of forty miles, and no road nor marks to point the way they should travel, except a few stakes that had been driven into th(! prairie, and a few trees that had been blazed by an exploring party the previous fall. In 1837 there was no mail nor mail service route between Madison and Milwaukee, but in the fall of that year Mr. Mills made a con- tract with the United States for carrying the mail between these j^oint^ until the Istof July, 1844. The difficulties of getting the mail through twice a week with no houses between Madison and Aztalaii, and only at rare inter- vals the remainder of the route, with the streams and marshes unhridged, and roads unliuilt, cannot be easily understood or ap- preciated by the present generation as they fly over the country with the speed of the wind, and talk with their friends at the anti- podes as with their next door neighbor. The task was however accomplished without the loss of a 8in. 1870. .lohn rettengill had hardly known what is was to be sick, and was a ijuiet and very temperate man, with many friends. He was a strong Wiiig and Uepubliean in polities, and was active in school-matters, haviuij been a member of the School Hoard for years. He was a moralist in his Ivlief. and in later life joined the Methodist Church, dyinjj in that faith. His wife had died about 1S50 of an attack of pleurisy, aijiHl sixty-six years. She was. from early I'irlhood days, a strict Presbyterian and was the mother of ten children, six sons and four daughters, and all but one liveil to be grown until pjist sixty years. The eldest of the family is now eighty-three years of age. l>ur subject is the third son and sixth child and was reared and educated while at home upon his father's farm, and later at- tended an academy at I'enn Yan, Yates county. New York. He had learned the trade of satldler and harnessmaker and worked at it for twelve years. Later he was a general merchant in Brauchp^^rt, New York, where he remained for a perioil of twelve years, and then went into the drug and gro- cery business, i-emaining in it for tive years in Naples. (Ontario county. Later he came west in 1S67 and spent part of one year in N'ernon county, Wisconsin, and then came to Madison in 1868. Histirst presidential vote was cast for Martin Van Buren. Our subject was married December 17, 1842, to Miss Mary A. Gamby in Hranch- port. New York, who was born in Yates county. New \ ork, a few months after her father had died and she later went with her mother to Massachusetts, which was the hit- ter's former home and there the widowed mother was a second time married and canie to nraiK'hport. settling on a farm, but later went back to Massachusetts, where the hus- band and stepfather died. His name was I miner Hubbard. Mrs. Hubbard afterwanl came to Vernon county, Wisconsin, and dieil at the home of her son when sixty-six years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Tettengill are good 'uul con- sistent people, but not creed followers. They have no children. ILLIAM K. GOl)l>AlU>, a farmer of Dane township, l)ane county, Wisconsin, was born in Shetiield county, Canada, in 1828. a son of William K. Goddaiil, who W!is born in the same place in 1808. The latter's father. Abram God- dard, was a farmer and blacksmith of Ver- mont. He married a ^Hss Kellogg, a native of New Entrland. and they had four sons and tivo daughters who grew to>-ears of maturity. William K., the father of our subject, was married in Canada to Catherine Phillips, also a native of New Euirland. In the summer of 1848 they came with eight children to Mil- waukee. Wisconsin, and later to Walworth countv, where they farmed on rented land until the fall of 1849. In that v^ar the JJANI'! COUNTY, WISCONSIN. 131 father pnrcliaHed 100 acrcH ol' l;uii| in Ujukj townsliip, iJiirie county, orcctcJ a log Iiouhc, I 20 X 22 feet, one and a half Btories high, and there ho paBsod the remainder of IiIk dayB, dyiiif^ in February, 1855, at tlie age of forty- gix years, leaving his widow with five sonw and four daughters. She aftcsrward Bold her interest in the farin, conBisting of forty ufreK, and removed to Warren, .Jo Daviess coNnly, Illinois, where she died, in 1880, aged eeventy-iive years. Mr. and Mrs. (Joddard had three eons in the late war, Ahrani, who was discharged on account of nicknesB; Marshall N., who was with Slmrman during the Georgia campaign, and served until the ! close of the struggle; and George O., who served but a short time. William K. (Joddard, our subject, was early inured to hard labor, and his education j was received in a district school three mih^B | from his home. In company with his father and brother, he owned the home farm of 100 acres, and at his death the father deeded our subject eighty acres. Mr. (Joddard is engaged in farming arirl stock growing, raising oats, corn and wheat, but he gives special atten- tion to the raising of I'oland (Jhina hogs, of which he sells from twenty to forty head yearly. He also keeps about seven head of horses, twenty head of horned cattle, and from forty to fifty head of Shropshire sheep. He was married in 1854, at the age of twenty- six years, to Miss (Jlarissa liabcock, a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, and a daughter of John and (Jatherine (Miller) Babcock, also natives of that State. They came to Wisconsin in a very early day, locating on a farm in Springfield township, Dane county, where the father soon afterward died. The mother died at the home of her daughter about twelve years later. Mr. and Mrs. Goddard bad fhrei- children: (Clarence h., a farmer of western Kansas, and has two sons and two daugliters; Ada May, wife of George W. lieynolds, a farmer of Spiring- fjeld townshif), Dane county, Wisconsin; one son and one daughter; and (Jlarissa K., widow of W. Vj. Rice, a resident of Tremjiealeau county, Wisconsin, and lias two ilaughters and one son. 'J'lie mother died eight years after her marriage, at, the age of twetity-six years. In December, 18(;;j, Mr. (Jodilard married Kate Hull, who was then visiting her uncle in this State, flu;rli Younir. She is a daughter of Hiram and Luna (lio-wortlij Hull, natives of N(;w York, but reared in (Jhio, where their pan^nts had moved at an early day. In 1872, .Mr. and .Mrs. Hull re- moved from that State to Nebraska. The mother