Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 4

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 856

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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L

W. H. Harrison

NINTH PRESIDENT

5 1

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- SON, the ninth President of the U'mited States, was born at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. His father, Benjamin Harri- son, was in comparatively op- ulent circumstances, and Was one of the most distinguished men of his day. He was all intimate friend of George Washington, was emily elected a member of the Continental Congress, and was conspicuous unong the patriots of Virginia in resisting the encroachments of the British crown. In the celebrated Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- rison and John Hancock Were With candidates for the office of speaker.

Mr Harrison was subsequently chosen Governor of Virginia, and was twee re-elected. His son, Williun Henry, of course enjoyed in childhood all the advantages which wealth and intellectual and cultivated society could give. His- Lig received a thorough common-school education, he entered Il implen Sidnes College, where he grada ted with honor con ther the death of his father. 110 then reputed to Phil adel this tost als medicine meler tein tractions of Dr Rushed the guardianship of Robert Morris, Inth of whom were, with his father, sisters of the Dechar bon of life pertence

ipac the outbreak of the lichan tro yes, and not withstanding the remonstrances of his fre ds, he dualmed Ins medel stades and entered the um. having obtained commission of Fast i tam Pres-

dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old. From that time he passed gradually upward in rar k until he became aid to General Wayne, after where death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This Territory was then entitled to but one member in Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that position.

In the spring of 1800 the North-western 'Territory was divided by Congress into two portions. The elstern portion, comprising the region now embraced in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which included what is now called Indians, Illinois and Wisconsin, w.is called the "Indiana Territory." Wil- liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap- printed by John Adams, Governor of the Inchant Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of Upper Louisiana. He was this Filer over almost is extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe H . was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- vested with powers nearly dictatoral over the ow rapidly increasing white population. The all ts and fidelity with which he discharged these res malle duties may be inferred from the fact that he wes four times appointed to this office first by Joh Ad mis, twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards is Pres- dent Madison.

When he began his adminstration they were It threewhite settlementsin that almost oftele af gh, now crowded with cities and termine 12 with All the wasin the Ohio, Heath of pante le sale Vincennes, on the Wish, and the third . hirsch settlement.

The vist wilderness over which Got His way reigned was filled with many tre ot esti Vant

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

the year 1806, two extraordmary mer, twin brothers, of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of these was called l'eemmseh, or " The Crouching Panther;" the other, Olliwacheca, or " The Prophet. Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- able perseverance 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 fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was anorator, who coukl sway the feelings of the untutored Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which they dwelt.

But the Prophet was not merely an orator : he was, in the superstitions minds of the Indians, invested with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent by the Great Spirit.

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- canoe the Indian, were routed with great slaughter. October 28, 1812, his army began its march. When near the Prophet's town three Indlans of rank made their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace.

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- campment, he took every precaution against surprise. His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept upon their arms.

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for rest ; but every man had his accourtrements on, his loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- tion 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 possi- ble. and just then, with a savage 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 accompained by a shower of bullets.

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- ous yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a speedy and an 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 every thing be- fore them. and completely routing the foe.

Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked to the utmost. The British descending from the Can- adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier was plunged into a state of consternation which even the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive, The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- tion of the cabins of the settlers. 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 North-western army, with orders to retake Detroit, and to protect the frontiers.

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but General Harrison was found equal to the position, and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re- sponsibilities.

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing with them their fatigue. Ilis whole baggage, while pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British officers, his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. 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 Representatives, 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 Senate of Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential 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 defeated. At the close of Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nominated by his party, and Mr. 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 President had ever been surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and joyous prospects, Gen. Harrison was seized by a pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- ness, died on the 4th of April; just one month after his inauguration as President of the United States.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L

John Tylen

LENTIL PRESIDENT.

JOHN TYLER.

OHN TYLER, the tenth Presidentof the United States. He was born in Charles-city Co., Va., March 20. 1790. Ile was the fivored child of af. fluence and high social po- sition. At the early age of twelve, John entered Wilham and Mary College and grad- mitted with much honor when but seventeen years old. Vier graduating, he devoted him- self with great assiduity to the study of law, partly with his father and partly with Edmund Randolph, one of the most distin- quished lawyers of Virginia.

At nineteen years of age, he commented the practice of law. His success was rapid and aston- ining It is said that three months had not elapsed ere there wis scarcely a cise on the dock- et 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 hunselt with the Demo- gratis party, and warmly advocated the mensites of Jefferson and Madison For five stressthe years lie was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the un animons vote of his county

When bat twenty-six years of age, he was elected a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and ly with the Democrats parts, opposing a national bank, internal improvements In the tiener il Giovern

ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con- struction of the Constitution, and the most caret il vigilance over State rights. His Labors in Congress were so arduous that before the close of his second term h found it necessary to resign and retire to his estate in Charles-city Co., 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 With a reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen by a very large majority of votes, Governor of his native State. His administration was signally a s c. cessful one. Hlis popularity secured his re-election.

John Randolph. a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed man, then represented Virginii in the Serate of the United States A portion of the Democratic party was displeased with Mr. Randolph's way ward to irse. and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent, considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient popularity to succeed against the renowned or tor of Romnoke .. Mr. Tyler was the vietor

In accordance with his professions, pon fault , ha seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks ofte of pas- tion. He opposed the First ; he spoke if it'st and voted against the bank as unto istit total ; le site - intels engaged all restrictions Sport sver. resist- img ill projects of internal improve ments Is tif fre - et il Government, and avowed ha sympathy with Mr. Calhoun's view of sull tu mmy, he daher det tie Fickson, by his offer staly to thatdoned the jmoples of the High jas

1 had always avowed

Returningto Vip

JOHN TYLER.

party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- ments upon him. He had now attained the age of forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, for the better education of his children; and he again took his seat in the Legislature of Virginia.

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. Har- rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- thy with the Whig party in the North: but the Vice President has but very little power in the Govern- ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a Democratic Vice President were chosen.

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- dent of the United States. In one short month from that time, President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler thus found himself, to his own surprise and that of the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential chair. This was a new test of the stability of our institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler was at home in Williamsburg when he received the unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri- son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of April was inaugurated to the high and responsible office. He was placed in a position of exceeding delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been opposed to the main principles of the party which had brought him into power. He had ever been a con- sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record. Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- sellors 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 har- mony with himself, and which would oppose all those views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- vited the cabinet which President Harrison had selected to retain their seats. He recommended a day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and bless us.

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. The President, after ten days' 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 commenced the open rupture. It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- ure by a published 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 Presi- dent into their arms. The party which elected him denounced him bitterly. All the members of his cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, 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 alliance between the Whigs and President 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. No one was satisfied. The land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs and Democrats alike assailed him. 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 influence to the support of Mr. Polk, the Democratie candidate for his successor.

On the 4th of March, 1845. he retired from the harassments of office, tothe 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, President 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 For- est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in his manners, richly furnished with information from books and experience in the world, and possessing brilliant 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 Mr. John C. Cal- houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- erates. 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 presided, he was taken sick and soon died.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ABTOR LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L

Jamez a. Jack

ELEVENTHI PRESIDENT.

JAMES K. POLK,

ـر .-

AMES K. POLK, the eleventh President of the United States. was born in Mecklenburg Co., N. C., Nov. 2, 1795. His par- ents were Samuel and Jane (Knox) Polk, the former a son of C'ol. Thomas Polk, who located at the above place, as one of the first pioneers, in 1735.

In the year 1606, with his wife and children, and soon after fol- lowed by most of the members of the Polk famly. Samuel Polk emi- grated some two or three hundred miles farther west, to the rich valley of the Duck River. Here in the midst of the wilderness, in a region which was subsequently called Mau- ry Co, they retired their log huts, and established their homes. In the hard toil of a new firm in the wil- dernes, James K. Polk spent the early years of his childhood and youth. His father, adding the pur- suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, gradually increased in wealth until he became one of the leading men of the region Is mother was a superior worm, of strong common sense and earnest plety

Very early in life, James developed a taste for reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain liberal education. His mother' training had mule him methodical in his h laity, hui taught hun puhet quality and and a try, and had inspired hun with lotty principles of morality His health was trul ; and hi Either, turin that he might not be ok to ordine a

sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursu.ts.

This was to James a bitter disappointment. He had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when this earnest solicitation his father removed him, and m. de arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. x 1 after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed forward in his studies, and in less than two me a half years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel Till. flere he was one of the most exempluy of scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious service.

He graduated in 1818, with the highest honors, be- ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in mathematics and the classis. He was then twell- three years of age. Mr. Folk's health was at the time much impaired by the assiduity with what he had prosecuted his studies. After a short soient of relaxation he went to Nashville, and cutund Wie office of Felx Grunds, to study low, Hete Mr. Bak renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Johan, wo resided on his plantation, the Hermit. . . It miles from Nashville. They had polach fon shehely acquainted before.

Mr. Polk's father was i Jeffer or -. Rer low and James K. Folk ever adler male - cal faith

parts friend A

JAAMES K. POLK.

courteous in his bearing, and with that sympathetic nature in the joys and griefs of others which ever gave him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his strong influence towards the election of his friend. Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States.

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was altogether worthy of him,-a lady of beauty and cul- ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- tinued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious member, a frequent and a popular speaker. Ile was always in his seat, always courteous; and whenever he spoke it was always to the point, and without any ambitions rhetorical display.

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was Speaker of the House Strong passions were roused, and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr Polk per- formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of March, 1839.

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo- ber. 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, his term of office expired, and he was again the can- dlidate of the Democratic party, but was defeated.

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- ated President of the United States. The verdict of the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and left the country, declaring the act of the annexation to be an act hostile to Mexico.

In his first message, President Polk urged that Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- ceived into the Union on the same footing with the other States. In the meantime. Gen. Taylor was sent

with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, where he erected batteries which commanded the Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on the western banks.

The anticipated collision soon took place, and war was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first called one of " observation," then of "occupation," then of "invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. It was by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration that the war was brought on.

'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. We now consented to peace upon the condition that Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal- ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen majestic States to be added to the Union. There were some Americans who thought it all right : there were others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico.

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from office, having served one term. The next day was Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, and his health was good With an ample fortune. a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the cholera-that fearful scourge- was then sweeping up the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen.

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 4

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 856

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 856