Summary:
Provides a brief biography of former American President Millard Fillmore. Explores his early life, education and rise to the presidency.
Millard Fillmore was born in Cayuga County of New York in 1800, and grew up working on his father's farm. At age 15, he became an apprentice to a cloth dresser. Attending one-room schools, he fell in love with a redheaded teacher, Abigail Powers, who later became his wife. In 1823 he was accepted to the bar, and after 7 years he moved his law practice to Buffalo. As an associate of the Whig politician Thurlow Weed, Fillmore held state office for 8 years and was also a member of the House of Representatives. While he was in Comptroller, NY in 1848, Fillmore was elected Vice President. He entered into Congress in 1832, and appointed chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in 1840. In 1842 he was the author of his first tariff. Later in 1848, Fillmore was elected Vice President of the United States, and soon became President after the death of Taylor in 1850.
President Taylor had been facing struggles dealing with slavery and left Fillmore with a not so easy start. Joining with Democratic Senator Stephen Douglas and the pro-compromise Whig Daniel Webster as his secretary of state, Fillmore was ready to go. Yet soon, things started to fall apart.
His attempt to open Japan to western trade failed, as he also offended Northerners by enforcing the Fugitive Slave Law. Tired and with a dead spirit, Fillmore at first declined to run, but was pressured and ended up running. He then lost to General Winfield Scott. A short time after, his wife Abigail died, followed by their 22-year daughter Mary.
In 1856, Fillmore ran once again for election as the presidential candidate of the Whig-American Party (nicknamed the Know-Nothing Party). He won the Electoral College votes of Maryland and 21 percent of the popular vote. Unfortunately, the newly formed Republican Party won, taking in 33% of the vote. Fillmore's performance marked the end of his party. During the Civil War, he opposed Lincoln. In 1858, he remarried to Caroline Carmichael McIntosh. He later died in Buffalo on March 8th, 1874. Fillmore left an impression on the United States, although not the best, but he was a strong and smart leader. He also was the first president to install a bathtub in the White House, contrary to popular belief. Millard Fillmore was a great and noble man, who maybe just didn't have the right support.
This is the complete article, containing 397 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page).
