USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A portrait and biographical record of Delaware county, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 4
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by shrub or flower. His ancestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, and were among the earliest emigrants from Hol- land to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intelligence and exemplary piety. At the age of fourteen. he had finished his academic studies in his na- tive village, and commenced the study of law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven years of study in a law office were required of him before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with a lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pursued his studies with in- defatigable industry. After spending six years in an office in his native village, he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his studies for the seventh year.
In 1803, Van Buren, then twenty-one years of age, commenced the practice of law in his native village. The great conflict be- tween the federal and republican parties was then at its height. Van Buren was in cordial sympathy with Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the cause of state rights; though at that time the federal party held the supremacy both in his town and state. His success and increasing reputation led him, after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, the county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years, constantly gaining strength by contending in the courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned the bar of his state.
Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mr. Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short years she sank into the grave, the victim of consumption, leaving her hus- band and four sons to weep over her loss. In 1812, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to the state senate, and gave his strenuous
support to Mr. Madison's administration. In 1815, he was appointed attorney-general, and the next year moved to Albany, the capital of the state.
While he was acknowledged as one of the most prominent leaders of the democratic party, he had the moral courage to avow that true democracy did not require that "univer- sal suffrage" which admits the vile, the de- graded, the ignorant, to the right of governing the state. In true consistency with his demo- cratic principles, he contended that, while the path leading to the privilege of voting should be open to every man without distinc- tion, no one should be invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue and some property interests in the welfare of the state.
In 1821 he was elected a member of the United States senate, and in the same year he took a seat in the convention to revise the constitution of his native state. His course in this convention secured the approval of men of all parties. In the senate of the United States, he rose at once to a conspicuous posi- tion as an active and useful legislator. In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re- elected to the senate. He had been, from the beginning, a determined opposer to the ad- ministration, adopting the state rights view in opposition to what was deemed the federal proclivities of Mr. Adams.
Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen governor of the state of New York, and ac- cordingly resigned his seat in the senate. Probably no one in the United States con- tributed so much towards ejecting John Q. Adams from the presidential chair, and placing in it Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was regarded throughout
F
W. H. HARRISON.
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the United States as one of the most skillful sagacious and cunning politicians. It was sup- posed that no one knew so well as he how to touch the secret springs of action; how to pull all the wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to organize a political army which would, secretly and stealthily, accomplish the most gigantic results. By these powers it is said that he outwitted Mr. Adams, Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which few thought then could be accomplished.
When Andrew Jackson was elected presi- dent he appointed Mr. Van Buren secretary of state. This position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately appointed minister to England, where he went the same autumn. The senate, however, when it met, refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned home, apparently untroubled; was nominated vice president in the place of Calhoun, at the re- election of Pres. Jackson; and with smiles for all and frowns for none, he took his place at the head of that senate which had refused to confirm his nomination as ambassador. His rejection by the senate aroused all the zeal of Pres. Jackson in behalf of his repudi- ated favorite; and this, probably more than any other cause, secured his elevation to the chair of the chief executive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Van Buren received the demo- cratic nomination to succeed Gen. Jackson as president of the United States. He was elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the retiring president.
His administration was filled with exciting events. The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to involve this country in war with England, the agitation of the slavery question, and finally the great commercial panic which spread over the country, all were trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was attributed to the management of the democratich party, and brought the president into such disfavor
that he failed of re-election. With the ex- ception of being nominated for the presidency by the free soil democrats, in 1848, Mr. Van Buren llved quietly upon his estate until his death.
He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, and, living within his income, had now fortunately a competency for his declining years. It was on the 4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald, he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics of the country. From this time until his death, on the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old age, probably far more happi- ness than he had before experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life.
ILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, the ninth president of the United States, was born at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. His father, Benja- min Harrison, was in comparatively opulent circumstances, and was one of the most dis- tinguished men of his day. He was an inti- mate friend of George Washington, was early elected a member of the continental congress, and was conspicuous among the patriots of Virginia in resisting the encroachments of the British crown. In the celebrated congress of 1775, Benjamin Harrison and John Hancock were both candidates for the office of speaker.
Mr. Harrison was subsequently chosen governor of Virginia, and was twice re-elected.
Having received a thorough common- school education, William Henry Harrison entered Hampden Sidney college, where he graduated with honor soon after the death of his father. He then repaired to Philadelphia
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to study medicine under the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of Robert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Upon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and notwithstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he abandoned his medical studies and entered the army, having obtained a commis- sion of ensign from President Washington. He was then but nineteen years old. From that time he passed gradually upward in rank until he became aid to Gen. Wayne, after whose death he resigned his commission. He was then appointed secretary or the Northwestern territory. This territory was then entitled to but one member in congress, and Capt. Harri- son was chosen to fill that position.
In the spring of 1800 the Northwestern territory was divided by congress into two portions. The eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced in the state ot Ohio, was called "The Territory northwest of the Ohio." The western portion, which included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and Wis- consin, was called the "Indiana territory." William Henry Harrison, then twenty-seven years of age, was appointed by John Adams, governor of the Indiana territory. and imme- diately after, also governor of upper Louisi- ana. He was thus ruler over almost as extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He was superintendent of Indian af- fairs, and was invested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now rapidly increasing white population. The ability and fidelity with which he discharged these responsible duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four times appointed to this office-first by John Adpms, twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterward by President Madison.
When he began his administration there were but three white settlements in that al- most boundless region, now crowded with
cities and resounding with all the tumult of wealth and traffic. One of these settlements was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville; one at Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French settlement.
The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. About the year 1806, two extra- ordinary men, twin brothers, of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of these was called Tecumseh, or "The Crouching Pan- ther;" the other, Olliwacheca, or "The Prophet." Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man of great sagacity, far- reaching foresight and indomitable persever- ance in any enterprise in which he might engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, and had long regarded with dread and with hatred the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting grounds of his fath- ers. His brother, the Prophet, was an orator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops be- neath which they dwelt.
Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippecanoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. October 28, 1812, his army began its march. When near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made their appearance and inquired why Gov. Har- rison was approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a short conference, arrange- ments were made for a meeting the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. But Gov. Har- rison was too well acquainted with the Indian character to be deceived by such protestations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- campment, he took every precaution against surprise. His troops were posted in a hollow square, end slept upon their arms. The troops threw themselves upon the ground for I rest; but every man had his accourtrements
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JOHN TYLER.
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on, his loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The wakeful governor, be- tween three and four o'clock in the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversation with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possible, and just then, with a sav- age yell, rushed, with all the desperation which superstition and passion most highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the little army. The savages had been amply provided with guns and ammunition by the English. Their war-whoop was accompanied by a shower of bullets. The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the light aided the Indians in their aim. With hideous yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a speedy and entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them until day dawned; they then made a simultaneous charge with the bayonet, and swept everything before them, and completely routed the foe. Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked to the utmost. The Brit- ish, descending from the Canadas, were of themselves a very formidable force; but with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the forest, searching out every remote farm house, burning, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier was plunged into a state of consternation which even the most vivid imagi- nation can but faintly conceive. Gen Hull had made the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. Under these despairing circumstances, Gov. Harrison was appointed by President Madison commander-in-chief of the Northwestern army, with orders to retake Detroit, and to protect the frontiers.
Harrison won the love of his soldiers by always sharing with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a valise; and his bed-
ding consisted of a single blanket lashed over his saedle. Thirty-five British officers, his prisoners of war, supped with him after the bat- tle. The only fare he could give them was beef roasted before the fire, without bread or salt.
In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of the national house of representa- tives, to represent the district of Ohio. In congress he proved an active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested the attention of all the members.
In 1819, Harrison was elected to the sen- ate of Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presi- dential electors of that state, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The same year he was chosen to the United States senate.
In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him forward as a candidate for the presidency against Van Buren, but he was de- feated. At the close of Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nominated by his party, and Harrison was unanimously nominated by the whigs, with John Tyler for the vice presidency. The contest was very animated. Gen. Jackson gave all his influence to prevent Harrison's election; but his triumph was signal.
The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster at its head as secretary of state, was one of the most brilliant with which any presi- dent had ever been surrounded. In the midst of these bright and joyous prospects, Gen. Harrison was seized by a pleurisy-fever, and after a few days of violent sickness, died on the 4th of April; just one month after his in- auguration as president of the United States.
J OHN TYLER, the tenth president of the United States, was born in Charles City county, Va., March 29, 1790. At the early age of twelve, John entered William and Mary college and graduated with
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much honor when but seventeen years old. He devoted himself with great assiduity to the study of law, partly with his father and partly with Edmund Randolph, one of the most dis- tiguished lawyers of Virginia.
At nineteen years of age, he commenced the practice of law. His success was rapid and astonishing. It is said that three months had not elapsed ere there was scarcely a case on the docket of the court in which he was not retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the state legislature. He connected himself with the democratic party, and warmly ad- vocated the measures of Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he was elected to the legislature, receiving nearly the unanimous vote of his county.
When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected a member of congress. Here he acted earnestly and ably with the democratic party, opposing a national bank, internal improve- ments by the general government, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict construction of the constitution, and the most careful vigilance over state rights. His labors in congress were so arduous that before the close of his second term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his estate in Charles City county, to recruit his health. He, however, soon after consented to take his seat in the state legislature, where his influence was powerful in promoting public works of great utility. He was then chosen, by a very large majority of votes, governor of his native state. His administration was sig- nally a successful one, and his popularity secured his re-election.
John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half- crazed man, then represented Virginia in the senate of the United States. A portion of the democratic party was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent, and
Tyler was the victor. In accordance with his professions, upon taking his seat in the sen- ate, he joined the ranks of the opposition. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and voted against the bank as unconstitutional; he stren- uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, re- resisting all projects of internal improvements by the general government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. Calhoun's view of nullifica- tion; he declared that Gen. Jackson, by his op- position to the nullifiers, had abandoned the principles of the democratic party. Such was Mr. Tyler's record in congress-a record in perfect accordance with the principles which he had always avowed.
Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of his profession. There was a split in the democratic party. His friends still re- garded him as a true Jeffersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compliments upon him. He had now attained the age of forty-six. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, for the better education of his children; and he again took his seat in the legislature of Vir- ginia.
By the southern whigs, he was sent to the national convention at Harrisburg to nominate a president in 1839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Harrison, a genuine whig, much to the disappointment of the south, who wished for Henry Clay. To conciliate the southern whigs and to secure their vote, the convention then nominated John Tyler for vice president. Thus it happened that a whig president, and, in reality, a democratic vice president were chosen.
In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated vice president of the United States. In one short month from that time Pres. Harrison, died and Mr. Tyler thus found himself, to his own sur- prise and that of the whole nation, an occu- pant of the presidential chair. This was a new test of the stability of our institutions, as it
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was the first time in the history of our country that such an event had occurred Mr. Tyler was at home in Williamsburg when he received the unexpected tidings of the death of Pres. Harrison. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of April was inaugurated to the high and responsible office. Gen. Harrison had selected a whig cabinet. Should he retain them, and thus surround himself with counsel- ors whose views were antagonistic to his own ? or, on the other hand, should he turn against the party which had elected him and select a cabinet in harmony with himself, and which would oppose all those views which the whigs deemed essential to the public welfare? This was his fearful dilemma, and so he invited the cabinet which Pres. Harrison had selected to retain their seats.
The whigs carried through congress a bill for the incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. The president, after ten day's delay, returned it with his veto. He suggested, however, that he would approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back with his veto. Here com- menced the open rupture. It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this measure by a pub- lished letter from the Hon. John M. Botts, a distinguished Virginia whig, who severely touched the pride of the president.
The opposition now exultingly received the president into their arms. The party which elected him denounced him bitterly. All the members of his cabinet, excepting Mr. Web- ster, resigned. The whigs of congress, both the senate and the house, held a meeting and issued an address to the people of the United States, proclaiming that all political alliances between the whigs and Pres. Tyler were at an end.
Still the president attempted to conciliate.
He appointed a new cabinet of distinguished whigs and conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, forced out by the pressure of his whig friends. Thus the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- tion passed sadly away. More and more, however, he brought himself into sympathy with his old friends, the democrats, until at the close of his term, he gave his whole influ- ence to the support of Mr. Polk, the demo- cratic candidate for his successor.
On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from office, to the regret of neither party, and probably to his own unspeakable relief. His first wife, Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; and in June, 1844, Pres. Tyler was again married, at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of many personal and intellectual accomplishments.
The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly in retirement at his beautiful home- Sherwood Forest, Charles City county, Va. A polished gentleman in his manners, richly furnished with information from books and experience in the world, and possessing bril- liant powers of conversation, his family circle was the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few friends who gathered around him, were it not for the storms of civil war which his own principles and policy had helped to introduce.
When the great rebellion rose, which the state rights and nullifying doctrines of John C. Calhoun had inaugurated, Pres. Tyler re- nounced his allegiance to the United States, and joined the confederates. He was chosen a member of their congress; and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by force of arms, the government over which he had once pre- sided, he was taken sick and soon died.
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J AMES KNOX POLK, the eleventh president of the United States, was born in Mecklenburg county, N. C., November 2, 1795. His parents were Samuel and Jane (Knox) Polk, the former a son of Col. Thomas Polk, who located at the above place, as one of the first pioneers, in 1735.
In the year 1806, with his wife and chil- dren, and soon after followed by most of the members of the Polk family, Samuel Polk emi- grated some two or three hundred miles farther west, to the rich valley of the Duck river, Tenn. Here, in the midst of the wilderness, in a region which was subsequently called Maury county, they reared their log huts, and estab- lished their homes. In the hard toil of a new farm in the wilderness, James K. Polk spent the early years of his childhood and youth. His father, adding the pursuit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, gradually increased in wealth until he became one of the leading men of the region.
Very early in life, James developed a taste for reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain a liberal education, His mother's training had made him methodical in his habits, had taught him punctuality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty principles of morality. His health was frail; and his father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. He remained in this uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon after he sent him to Mur- freesboro academy. In the autumn of 1815 he entered the sophomore class in the university of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill. He grad- uated in 1818, with the highest honors, being deemed the best scholar of his class, both
in mathematics and classics. He was then twenty-three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this time much impaired by the assi- duity with which he had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of relaxation he went to Nashville, Tenn., and entered the office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jack- son, who resided on his plantation, the Her- mitage, bnt a few miles from Nashville.
James K. Polk was a popular public speaker, and was constantly called upon to address the meetings of his party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump. He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and courteous in his bearing, and with that sympathetic na- ture in the joys and griefs of others which ever gave him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected to the legislature of Tennes- see. Here he gave his strong influence towards the election of his friend, Mr. Jackson, to the presidency of the United States.
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