The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1848-06-24
WILLARD FILLMORE.

Inc history OF WILLARD TlLLMohE, our
candidate for Vice President, affords use
full lesson as showing what may be accom-
rlished in the face OF the greatest obstacles,
by intellect aided and controlled by eoe-
gy, perseverance, and strict integrity, in Il
public and private capacity.
His father, NATHANIEL FILLMORE, lisa son
of one of like name who served III The
French war, and was a true Wing of The
Revolution, proving his devotion to his
country cause by CALAMITY fighting as Lieu
tenant under Gen. Stark, in the battle OF
Bennington. He was born at Bennington,
Vermont, in I'LL, and early i'll life remov
ed 10 what is now called Summer Hill, Cay
uga county, NY. where M,LLARp was born
January 7, 1900. He was a farmer aud
soon after lost all his property by ii bad ,'>
tie 10 one of the military lots he had put
chased. About the year 1902 he removed
to the town of Sempronlus, now Niles. and
resided there until 1919, when he removed
10 Erie county, where he still lives, culliva-
ting small farm with !his own hands. He
was strong and uniform supporter Of jeff.
esson, Madison and Tompkins, and !. now
true " hig.
The narrow means Of his father deprived
Willard of any advantages OF education be-
You'd what were afforded by the imperfect
and i'll taught common schools OF the co IN
try-Books were scarce and dear and at the
age fifteen, when more favored youths arc
far advanced in their classical studies, or
enjoy ing in colleges the bentit Of well furn.
ished Libraries, young FILLMORE had read
bu, little except bis common school books
and the Bible. At that period he was sent
into the then wlds OF Livingston county, to
learn the co,hier's trade He renamed
there about four months, and was then plac-
ed with another person to pursue the same
business and wool carding in the Town where
his father lived A small village library that
was formed there soon after, gave him the
first means of acquiring general knowledge
through books: He improved the oppot!u-
nifty thus offered tho appetite grew by what
it fed upon. The thirst for knowledge soon
became nsatia,e, and every leisure moment
was spent in reading. Four years were
passed in this way, working at his trade, and
storing his mind, during such hours as he
could command, with the contents Of books
oihis,ory, biography and travels. A,,hc age
of 10 he fortunately made acquaintance with
late Walter Wood, Esq, whom many will
remember as one of the most esl;nable cltl-
zens of ha, comfy Judge Wood was man
CT wealth and great business capacity: he had
an excellent law library, but did little ploies-
sional business. He soon saw that under the
rude exterior ofthe clo,hier's boy were pow
ers tina, only required proper Development
10 raise the possessorto high distinction and
usefulness, and advised him to quit his trade
and study law. In reply 10 the objection
of a lack of education, means and friends TO
aid him in a course ofprofessional study,
Judge w. kindly offered give him place
in his office, to advance money to defray his
expenses, and wal, until success in business
should furnish The means prepayment The
offer was accepted The apprentice boy
bought his time; entered the o flee Of Judge
Wood, and for more than two years appli-
ed himself closely to business and study.
1
He cad law and general literature, and
studied and practised surveying.
Fearing he should incur too large debt
to his benefac,or he taught school for three
months in the year, and acquired the means
Of partially supporting himself. In the ia Il
of 1921 lie removed 10 the county Of Erie,
and the next spring entered law office in
Buffalo There he sustained himself by
teaching school, and continued his legal stu
dies until the spring Of 1923, when he was
admitted 10 the Common Pleas. and com.
menced practice in the village Of Aurora
where he remained until 1880, when he a.
gain removed TO Buffalo, and has continued
10 reside ,here ever since.
His first entrance into public life was il
January, 1929, when he Took his sea, as
member in Us Log. sla'uto from Erie county