PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

TT,

an earnest and successful lawyer and then
the political affairs of State demanded his
When thirty years of age,
Later

he became Secretary of State under Jack-

attention.
he was chosen to the State Senate.

 

MARTIN VAN BUREN.

1782-1862. One Term, 1837-1841.

son. In 1836, Mr. Van Buren received
the Democratic nomination, to succeed
Gen. Jackson, as President of the United
States, a position which he occupied for
four years, but on account of party feeling

was not re-elected. One of the funda-
mental principles of his life was never
to give offense and never to appear to
He was ever polite
to his friends and enemies. There is but
little in the life of Mr. Van Buren of
He fought no battles
His

was a stormy life, from a political stand-

notice an injury.

romantic interest,

and engaged in no wild schemes.

point, but after all his days passed un-
eventful in those things which give zest to
history. At the time of his retirement
from the presidential chair he had accu-
mulated a competence for his declining
When Mr. Van Buren retired from
the Presidency, he returned to his home

years.

and resided as a gentleman of leisure, of
culture and of wealth. He lived to a
vigorous old age, and was considered by
his friends and the people at large as a
great and good man. His life went out
like a candle on July 24, 1862, at the age
of eighty years.

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

NINTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

Que banks of the James river, in
: Virginia, in the town of Berkley,
February 9, 1773, William Henry Harrison
first saw the light of day. His father,
Benjamin Harrison, was a distinguished
man. In the assembly of Congress, 1775,

Benjamin Harrison and John Hancock

were both candidates for the office of
Mr. Harrison yielded to Mr.
Hancock, and seeing that he modestly hes-
itated to take the chair, Mr. Harrison, who

was a large man, and of great strength,

speaker.

with characteristic good nature and play-
fulness, siezed Mr. Hancock in his arms