The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-10-10


Mr.. FILLsoRE's ORIGIS AID CAREER--Mr.
RIvEs's eloquent eulogium upon Mr.. Fillmore
will render peculiarly interesting the following
brief account of Mr.. Fillmores early life and
subsequent career
Willard Fillmore is native Of New York.
He was born in Cayuga county, al place call
ed Summer Hill. on the 9Th of January 1900
His father, Nathaniel Fillmore, was born in
Burlington, Vermont, l77l; he emigrated in
early life 10 the Western part of New York.
then wilderness, and in 1919 purchased u
farm in Erie county, which he still cultivates.
rhe educational advantages enjoyed by young
Fillmore were very slender; the bible end such
books as were used in the very common schools
then existing were the limits OF his literary
pursuits until the age Is, when he was appren
Iiced TO the wool-carding business in Livings-
ton county. He was afterwards placed with
a person in the same business in the town
where his father resided, and passed four years
at the trade, devouring in the meantime the
contents of small village library. At the
age of - fortune threw in his way b-nevo-
lent man, who had the penetration TO discover
the yorths good parts, and the kindness to
| place him in condition 10 cultivate Them
|
| man whose name should be held in reverence
| by all who have known what il is 10 struggle
with adversely and gather knowledge in the
thorn beset waysides of early poverty. Judge
Wood, for this benevolent gentleman was a
lawyer, possessed good library and hand
some fortune. He prevailed upon young Fill
more TO quit the trade Of wool-carding and take
to the study of the law The clothier's appren-
tice purchased the remainder OF his time, and
studied law and surveying in the Office OF his
benefactor until he was 81. During this time
he partly supported himself by teaching school.
In 1921 he removed TO Erie county, and enter
ed lawyers officen Buffalo, where he pursued
his legal studies, and taught school TOR his
support, until 1923, when he was admitted 10
practice in the court OF common pleas. From
| this time his coG.se has been up, up, up. He
| first commenced practicing in the village OF
| Aurora, in Cayuga county, but returned TO But
falo in 1880, where he still resides. La 1929
he was elected member of the State Legisla-
,ure, aud was reelected the two succeeding
| wears
In 1882 Mr.. Fillmore was elected 10 Con-
gress, and again in 1886, when he distinguish
ed himself by his report on the New Jersey
election case. He was reelected to the next
Congress By largely increased majority. and
i was placed at the head of the committee of
Ways aud Means, in which post he gained
great distinction by his energy. apiness, and in
dustry, and by the wisdom OF all his measures
and the ability with which he advocated them
At the close of This congress he declined re-
detection, and resumed the practice OF his pro-
fession at the bar. In 1914 he was nominat-
ed BY the Wings for Governor OF the State in
Opposition TO Silas Wright, but was unsuccess-
full. Last yrar he was elected comptroller of
the State, and has filled the office with honor
to himself and profit TO the people.
Mr. Fillmore is in his 49th year, fine. lus-
! ty To- king man. with sanguine temperament
d tall, commanding presence, and grave but
good naturrd counienance. He is an excel
lent specimen of genuine Northern Yankee,
as old Rough and Ready is of the Southern
breed. They are both unadulterated Ameri-
cans, who owe nothing to adventitious circum
stancesr The colleges in which they have &C
CURED their knowledge are the busiest and
most trsing haunts of every day life. We can
not doubt their election by greater majority
than any presidential ticket has received since
the days of Washington, nor that the country
will rejoice and grow prospectus under their
] benelicent rule.