USA > Ohio > Putnam County > A Portrait and biographical record of Allen and Putnam counties, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Ohio, pt 1 > Part 4
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On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired from the presidency, and was suceeded by Andrew Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected vice president. The slavery question now began to assume portentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to Quincy, and to his studies, which he pursued with unabated zeal. But he was not long permitted to remain in retirement. In November, 1830, he was elected representative to congress. For sev- enteen years, until his death, he occupied the post as representative, ever ready to do brave battle for freedom, and winning the title of "the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in the house, he announced that he should hold himself bound to no party. He was usually the first in his place in the morning, and the last to leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The battle which Mr. Adams fought almost singly, against the proslavery party in the government, was sub- lime in its moral daring and heroisın. For persisting in presenting petitions for the aboli-
tion of slavery, he was threatened with indict- ment by the grand jury, with expulsion from the house, and also with assassination, but no threats could intimidate him and his final triumph was complete.
On the 21st of February, 1848, he rose on the floor of congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paralysis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and said: "This is the end of earth; " then, after a moment's pause, he added, "I am content." These were the last words of the sixth president.
NDREW JACKSON, the seventh president of the United States, was born in Waxhaw settlement, N. C., March 15, 1767, a few days after his father's death. His parents were from Ireland, and took up their abode in Waxhaw settle- ment, where they lived in deepest poverty.
Andrew, or Andy, as he was universally called, grew up a very rough, rude, turbulent boy. His features were coarse, his form un- gainly; and there was but very little in his char- acter, made visible, which was attractive.
When only thirteen years old he joined the volunteers of Carolina against the British in- vasion. In 1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. "I am ¿ prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of the dauntless boy. The brute drev his sword, and aimed a desperate blow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. Andrev raised his hand, and thus recived two fearfu gashes-one on the hand and the other upor the head. The officer then turned to hi;
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brother Robert with the same demand. He also refused, and received a blow from the keen-edged saber, which quite disabled him, and which probably soon after caused his death. They suffered much other ill-treat- ment, and were finally stricken with the small- pox. Their mother was successful in obtain- ing their exchange, and took her sick boys home. After a long illness Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon left him en- tirely friendless.
Andrew supported himself in various ways, such as working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he entered a law office at Salis- bury, N. C. In 1788, he was appointed solicit- or for the western district of North Carolina, of which Tennessee was then a part. This in- volved many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear.
In 1791, Jackson was married to a woman who supposed herself divorced from her former husband. Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later, to find that the con- ditions of the divorce had just been definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage ceremony was performed a second time, but the occurrence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. Jackson into disfavor. During these years he worked hard at his profession, and frequently had one or more dueis on hand, one of which, when he killed Dickinson, was especially disgraceful.
In January, 1796, the territory of Tennes- see then containing nearly 80, 000 inhabitants, the people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a constitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates. The new state was en- titled to but one inember in the national house of representatives. Andrew Jackson was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he
rode to Philadelphia, where congress then held its sessions-a distance of about 800 miles.
Jackson was an earnest advocate of the democratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose second terin of office was then expiring, delivered his last speech to congress. A committee drew up a compli- mentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson did not approve of the address, and was one of the twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to say that Gen. Washington's administration had been "wise, firm and patriotic."
Jackson was elected to the United States senate in 1797, but soon resigned. Soon after he was chosen judge of the supreme court of his state, which position he held for six years.
When the war of 1812 with Great Britain commenced, Madison occupied the presidential chair. Aaron Burr sent word to the president that there was an unknown man in the west, Andrew Jackson, who would do credit to a commission if one were conferred upon him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson offered his services and those of 2,500 volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops were assem- bled at Nashville. Asthe British were hourly expected to makean attack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson was in command, he was ordered to descend the river with 1, 500 troops to aid Wilkinson. The expedition reached Natchez, and after a delay of several weeks there, the men were ordered back to their homes. But the energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire devotion to the comfort of his soldiers, won him golden opinions; and he became the most popular man in the state. It was in this expedition that his toughness gave him the rickname of "Old Hickory."
MARTIN VAN BUREN.
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Soon after this, while attempting to horse- whip Col. Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was lingering upon a bed of suffering news came that the Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from Florida to the lakes, to exterminate the white settlers, were committing the most awful ravages. Decisive action became neces- sary. Gen. Jackson, with his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assistance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an army to rendevous at Fayettesville, Ala.
The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on one of the bends of the Tallapoosa river, near the center of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. With an army of 2,000 men, Gen. Jackson traversed the path- less wilderness in a march of eleven days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or Horse- shoe, on the 27th of March, 1814. The bend of the river inclosed 100 acres of tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breastwork of logs and brush. Here 900 war- riors, with an ample supply of arms, were as- sembled. The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly desperate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When bleeding and dying, they would fight those who endeavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morning until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as they swam. Nearly every one of the 900 warriors was killed. This closing of the Creek war enabled us to concentrate all our militia upon the British, who were the allies of the Indians. No inan of less resolute will than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian
campaign to so successful an issue. Immedi- ately he was appointed major-general.
Late in August, with an army of 2,000 men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson went to Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensa- cola, landed a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, and from both ship and shore commenced a furious assault. The battle was long and doubtful. At length one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired.
Garrisoning Mobile, Jackson moved his troops to New Orleans, and the battle of New Orleans, which soon ensued, was in reality a very arduous campaign. Here his troops, which numbered about 4,000 men, won a signal victory over the British army of about 9,000. His loss was but thirteen, while the loss of the British was 2, 600.
The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be mentioned in connection with the presi- dency, but, in 1824, he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected for a second term in 1832. In 1829, he met with the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of his wife. At the expiration of his two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Jackson's life were that of a devoted chris- tian man.
ARTIN VAN BUREN, the eighth president of the United States, was born at Kinderhook, N. Y., Decem- ber 5, 1782. He died at the same place, July 24, 1862, and his body rests in the cemetery at Kinderhook. Above it is a plain granite shaft fifteen feet high, bearing a sim- ple inscription about half way up on the face. The lot is unfenced, unbordered or unbounded by shrub or flower. His ancestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, and
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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. VanBuren 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 the United States as one of the most skillfu !. sagacious and cunning politicians. It was sup-
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WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.
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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 President 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 President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated 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 democratic nom- ination to succeed Gen. Jackson as president of the United States. He was elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the retir- ing 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 democratic 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 lived 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 to study medicine under the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of Robert
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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 of 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 of 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 Adams, 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. Har- rison reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. About the year 1806, two extraordi- nary men, twin brothers, of the Shawnee tribe, rose among them. One of these was called Tecumseh, or "The Crouching Pan- ther;" the other, Olliwacheca, or "The Pro- phet." 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 en- gage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, and had long regarded with dread and with hatred the encroachments 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 beneath 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, and slept upon their arms. The troops threw themselves upon the ground for rest; but every man had his accoutrements on, his loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The wakeful governor, between
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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 savage yell, rushed with all the desperation which supersti- tion 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 extin- guished, 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 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, burning, plundering, scalp- ing, torturing, the wide frontier was plunged into a state of consternation which even the most vivid imagination can but faintly con- ceive. Gen. Hull had made the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. Under these despairing circumstances, Gov. Harrison was appointed by President Madison comman- der-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- dling consisted of a single blanket lashed over his saddle. 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 mem- ber 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 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 Harri- son 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 inau- guration as president of the United States.
With the exception, perhaps, of the death of George Washington, the demise of no presi- dent of the United States, down to this time, had created a deeper thrill of sympathy through- out the country than that of President Harri- son. North and south, his obsequies were ob- served with unaffected sorrow, and men of all parties seemed to forget differences of opinion in doing honor to the memory of the dead.
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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 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- tinguished lawyers of Virginia.
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