Biographies of the Civil War and Reconstruction

Biographies of the Civil War and Reconstruction — page 9
BIOGRAPHIES OF THE CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION ABRAHAM LINCOLN Ron woolworker After five years the boy secured his release for 30 He went to Buffalo where he worked in a law office for room and board He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1823 In 1826 he married Abigail Powers of Moravia N Y They reared two children Mary Abigail and Millard Powers In 1828 Fillmore was elected to the New York legislature Four years later he was elected to Congress where he joined the Whig party in opposition to President Andrew Jackson Except for one term 1835 37 Fillmore served in Congress continously until 1843 Defeated in a campaign for governor in 1844 Fillmore won election as state comptrol ler three years later Meanwhile supported by Henry Clay of Kentucky Fillmore had become one of the most prominent Whigs in the party On the burning question of slavery he followed a moderate course This made him acceptable to both Northern and Southern Whigs and led to his nomination and election as Zachary Taylor s vice presi dent in 1848 When President Taylor died Fillmore became president and immediately formed a new Cabinet with the famous orator Daniel 14