Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-08-25
MILLiRD PiLLE0RE,

date Tor wee President, affords useful lesson.
as showing what NAV be accomplished in the
face Of the greatest obstacles, by intellect, aid
cd and controlled by energy, perseverance aud
strict integrity, in public and private capacity.
His iather, Nathaniel Fillmore, is the son Of
one Of like mans, who served in the French
war. and was true Wig Of the Revolution.
proving his devotion to his counlry's cause by
gallantly fighting as Lieutenant under General
Stark in the paltle Of Bennington. Tie was born
at Bennington W., l77l, and early in life re-
moved 10 what is now called Summer Hill, Cay
uga county, New York, where Millurd was born,
January 7, 1900. lie was farmer, aud soon
after lost all his properly by bad title TO one
Of the military lots he had purchased. About
the year 1909 he removed to the town of Sem.
pronious, now Niles, and resided there ill 1919,
when he removed to Erie county where he still
lives. lie was a strong and uniform supporter
Of Jefferson, Madison and Tompkins, and is
now true Wing.
The narrow means Of his father, deprived
Millard of any advantages ofeducation beyond
what were afforded by the imperfect aud ILL.,
taught common schools Of the country. Books
were scarce aud dear, and at the age of fifteen,
when more favored youths are advanced in
the benefit of well furnished libraries, Young
Fillmore had read litle except his common
school books and the Bible. At that period, he
went into the then wds of Livingston county to
learn The clolher's trade. He remained there
about four months and was then placed with an
other person, TO pursue the same business and
wool carding, in the town where his father liv-
ed. A small village library that was formed
there soon after, gave the first means Of acqui-
ring general knowledge through books. He i'm
proved the opportunity thus offered: the appe-
lite grew by what it fed on. The thirst for
knowledge soon became Unsuitable, and every
leisure moment was spent in reading. -Four
years were spent in this way, working at his
trade, and storing his mind, during such hours
as he could command, with the contents of
history, biography and travels. AT the age of
l9, he fortunately made an acquaintance with
the late Walter Wood ESQ.,, whom many will
remember as one of The most estnabIe citizens
OF that county. Judge Wood was man of
wealth and great business capacity; he had an
excellent law library, but did liule professional
business. He soon saw that under the rude
exterior Of The clolhicr's boy, were powers that
only required proper dcveopcmenl to raise the
possessor 10 hugh distinction, and usefulness,
and advised him to quit his trade and study law.
In reply to the objection Of lack of education
means and friends to aid him in a course of pro-
fessional study, Judge ". kindly offered to
give him place in his office, 10 advance mon
ey 10 deray his expenses, and wait unr sue
cess in business should furnish tho means OF re.
payment. Th3 offer was accrp'ed The ap.
prentice boy bought his time; entered the Office
of Judge Wood. and for more than Two years
urphcd himself closely to business and study.
He read law and general literature, and studied
ard pracucod Surveying.
Fearing he should incur TOO large debt TO
his bcneuctor, be elaugh school lorihree months
in the year, and acquired the means of partial
w supporting himself. IN the fail Of 1921 he
removed 10 the county Of Erie, and tha next
spring entered law Office in Buffalo. There
he sustained himself by teaching school, and
continued his studies until The next spring. OF
1928, when he was admitted TO the Common
Pleas, and commenced practice in the village
or Aurora where he remained until 1880, when
he again returned 10 Buffalo, and has continued
10 reside there ever since.
His first entrance into public life was in Jan.
uary, 1929, when he took his seat as a member
Of the Legislature from Erie County, to which
office he was reelected the following two years
His talents, integrity and assduous devotion
10 public business, soon won for him the conf
dence Of the House in an uneXanpIed degree
il was a common remark among the members
"lf Fillmore says its right, we will vote for it,.
The most important measure Of general ma
ture that came up during his service in the State
Legislature, was the bill 10 abolish imprison
ment for debt. In behalf of that great anC
philanthropic measure, Mr.. Fillmore took an
active part, urging with unanswerabIe arguments
its justice and eXpedlency, and as member o.
the committee on the subject, aiding to perfect
lis details. That portion of this bill relating tc
Justices Courts was drafted by him, the remuin
der being the work Of the Hon. John G.. Spen.
Ger. The bill met with fierce, unrelentIng op
position at every step Of its progress; and lc
Mlard Fillmore, as much as any other man
are we indebted for eXpunging from the statute
book that relic of a cruel, barbarous age, mpris
onmenl for debt
lie was elected to Congress inthe fall of 1889
.ghe session Of 1884 will long be remember
ed us The one in which that system of politics
known under the comprehensive name of Jack
sonianism was fully developed. lie took his
seat i'll the stormy session. OF 1854, lmmedl
ateIy succeeding the removal at the Deposits
In those days The business Of the House and de
bates were led by old and experienced mem
bers-new ones. unless they enjoyed u wild
spread and almost national reputation, rarely
taking an active or conspicuous part Lit
chance, therefore. was afforded him as mem
Der of the pposition-young and unassuming
of displaying those qualities that so eminenll,
fit him for legislative usefulness. But the schoo
wus one admirably qualified 10 more fully de
yelope those powers which under more favora
BILE circumstances, have enabled him to rende
such varied and important service to his coun
try. AS be has ever done in all The stations h
has Oiled, he discharged bis duty with scrupu
!2@s !2@s fidelity, never omtng on all proper occo
sons any effort TO advance the interests of hi
constituents and the country, and winning th