The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-07-27
WILLARD FILLMORE.

ddale for Vice President, affords useful
lesson MS showing what may be accomplish.
cd in the face Of the greatest obstacles, by
intellect. aided and controlled by energy,
perseverance,. and strict integrity, in pub.
lie md private capacity.
His father. Nathaniel Fillmore. is the
son Of one of like name who served in the
French war, and was true Wing of the
Revolution, proving his devotion TO his
country's cause bv CALAMITY fighting ms
Lieutenant under Gen. Stark, in the battle
Of Bennington. lie was born nj Benning
ton, w., in l77l, and early in life removed
to what is now called Summer Till, Cayu-
gn county. New York. where Willard was
born. Jan. Z, $500. lie was n farmer, and
soon after lost all his property by bad H.
tie to ono Of the military lots he had pur-
chased. About the year 1902 he rcmovedto
the town Of Scmpronious, now Niles, and
resided there till 1910, when he removed
to Erie county. where he still lives cultiva-
ting small farm with his own hands. lie
was strong and uniform supporter Of JET.
fcrson, Madison and Tompkins, aud is now
n true Wing.
The narrow means Of his father deprived
Willard of any advantages ot education be-
vond what where afforded by the impcr.
feet and il.,aught common school Of the
county. Books were scarce aud dear, and
at the ngc Of fifteen, when more favored
yonths are far advanced in their classical
studies. or ENJOYING in colleges the benefit
Of well furnished libraries. Young Fillmore
had read hu, little except his common school
books and the Bible. At that period he
was sen, into the then wilds of Livingston
county, To learn the clo,hcr's trade. He
remained ahont four months. mud wns :lcn
placed with another person to pnFsuc the
same business and wool carding in the
town where his father lived. \ small vii
lngc library that was formed there soon nc.
ter, gave him the first means II acquiring
general knowledge through books. lie i'm
proved the opportunity thus offered the mp
petite grew by what il led upon. The
thirst for knowledge soon became insatiatc,
aud every leisure moment was spent in
reading. -Four wears were passed in this
way, working at his trade, and storing his
mind, during such hours as he coald com.
nand. with the contents ofbonks Of history,
travels and biography. A, the age Of -
he fortunately made m acquaintance with
the late Waller Wood. Esq, whom mnny
will remember a. ane oi the mist cstima-
bic citizens osihat county. Judge Wood
was n man Of wealth aud great business
capacity: he had m excellent law library,
but did little professional business. lie
,onn saw that under the rude exterior Of
the clo,hicrs boy, were powers That only
required proper development, 10 raise tho
possessor TO high distinction and usefulness
and advised HIM 10 quit his trade and study
law. In reply To the objection Of IA lack Of
education. mems and friends In mid him in
course Of professional study. Judge Wood
kindly offered to give him place in his Of.
fee, To advance money To dcirav his cxpcn.
scs, and wait until success in business
should furnish the means Of repayment
The offer was accepted The apprentice
boy bougl, his time; entered the office oi
Judge Wood, and for more than Two wears
applied himself closely 10 business and stu
DIV. lie read law and general literature,
and studied aud prnciised surveying.
Fearing he should incur too large debt
TO his hcnetactcr, he iangh, school for three
months in the year, and acquired The men M
Of partially supporting himself. In the fall
Of 1921 lie removed IL the county oi
Ere. and the next spring entered law Of
flee in Buffalo. There he sustained him.
sell bv teaching schopl, and continued his
legal studies until the spring oflS2}, when
ha was admitted oihc Common Plcns, and
commenced practice in the village Of Anro-
rs, where he remained until 1890, when he
again removed 10 Buffalo, aud has contin-
ucd 10 reside there ever since.
His FIRST entrance into public lilo was
in January, ls23. when be took his seat rs
n member from Eric county, 10 which Of.
fec he was reelected tie two following
years.
lis talents, integrity and assiduons de-
vo,ion 10 public business, soon won for him
the Confidence If tho House IN mn nncxnm-
pied degree. Il was common rcmnrk
among the members, .if Fillmore SAYS i,
is right, VIC will vote for it,
The most important measure Of a gcner-
al nature that came up during his service
in the State Legislature, was the bill Ia
abolish Imprisonment for Debt. in behalf
Of ,ha, great and philanthropic measure.
Mr.. Fillmore took an active part, urging
with nnanswcrablc arguments its Justice
and cxpediencv, and. MS member Of the
committee an The subject, aiding 10 perfect
its details. That portion Of the bill rela-
ting to Justices Courts was drafted BY him,
the remainder being the work Of the Hon.
J. c. Spencer. The bill met with fierce,