The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-07-05
1flru Of tbe Vilnes.
From the American Democrat
BIOGRA Apply
OF
WILLARD FILLMORE.

peculiar boast Of oui country tina, its highest
honors and digntics are the legitimate OBJ
.ccts of ambition to the humblcst in the land,
as well as those most favored by the gifts of
birth and fortune. Ours is government of
the people, and from the people, enphatical-
| ly, have sprung those who in the army or
navy, on the bench of justice, or in the halls
of lcglsution have shed the brightest lustre
on the page of our country's history. So
universally almost is this the case, that, when
we find IN instance to the contrary, of one
born to a fortune and enjoying the advan-
taScs of influential connections, rising to a
| high place i'll the councils Of the nation, the
exception deserves especial note for its rarity.
No merit, therefore is claimed for WILLARD
FILLMORE, on account Of the fact that from
comparatively humble parantagc, lie has at
tanned his present eminent position. His
history. however, aiiol DIS a useful lesson as
showing what may be accomplished in the
face of the greatest obstacles, by intellect,
aided and controlled by energy, perseverance
and strict integrity, III pubic and private
capacity.
John Fillmore, the great grandfather of
Willard Fillmore, and the common ancestor
Of all of that name in the United States,
was born about the year 100, in one Of the
New England States, and feeling strong
propensity for q. sca-faring life, at the age of
about nineteen went on board fishing vessel
which sailed from Boston. The vessel had
been but few days out, when it was cap
turcd by noted pirate ship, commanded by
Capt. Phillips, and young Fillmore was kept
as prisoner. lie renamed on board thu,
pirate ship nine months, enduring every
hardship which a strong constitution and
| firm a,f nl
though frequently threatened with instant
death unless he would sign the piratical
articles of the vessel, he steadily refused
until two others had been taken prisoners,
who also refusing to join the crew the three
made an attack upon the pirates. and after
killing several, took The vessel and brought
it safe into Boston harbor. The narrative of
this adventure has been for many Years in
print, and details one of the most daring and
successful exploits on record. The surviving
pirates were tried and executed, and The
heroic conduct of the captors was acknow-
lodged by the British Government John
| Fillmore afterwards settled III place called
| franklin, in Connecticut, where he died.
Nathaniel Fillmore, his son. and father Of
Millard, was born at Bennington, in II,
and early in life removed to what is now call
I'd Summer Hill, Cayuga county, where
Millald WAS born, January It'll, 1900. lie
was farmer, and soon after lost all his
property hy bad title to one of the military
lots he had purchased. About the year 1852
he removed to the town of Scmpl onius, now
Niles, i'll the same county. and resided there
until 1870 when he removed to Erie county,
where he still lives. cultvating small farm
with his own handS.--llc was q strong and
Uniform supporter Of Jefferson, Madison, and
| IompklnS, and is now national Wing.
The narrow means of his father deprived
Nllllard of any advantages of education be-
You'd what we've afforded by the imperfect
and ill-lausht common schools Of the country.
Books were scarce and dear. and ut the age
OF fifteen, when more favored youths are far
advanced in their classical studies, or enjoy
ing i'll colleges the benefit of well furnish, d
libraries. young Fillmore had read but little
except his common school books and the
Bible. AT that period he was sent into the
then wllds OF Livingston county, to learn the
clothlcr trade. lie remained there about
fonr months, and was then placed with an
other person to pursue the same business and
wool carding in the town whcIc his father
lived. A small village library that was formed
there soon after, gave mni the first means #
acquiring general knowledge through book $.
lie improved the opportunity thus offered;
the appetite grew by what it fed upon. The
| thirst for knowledge soon became nSatiate,
and every leisure moment was spent in work
ing at his trade, and storing his mind during
such hours as he could command, with tho
contents OF books of history, biography, and
travels. At the age OF nineteen he fortunately
made an acquaintance with the late Walter
Wood, Esq, whom many will remember as
one oil the most cstima bic citizens of Cayuga
county. Judge Wood was man of wealth
and great business capacity: he had an ex.
cellcnt law library. hut did but little profcs.
sional business. lie soon saw that under the
rude exterior of the clothirr boy were powers
that only required proper Development to
raise the poSsessor to high distinction and
usefulness, and advised HIM to quit his trade
and study law. In reply to the objection Of
a lack Of education, means and friends to aid
him in course of professional study, Judg,
w. kindly offered to give HIM a place in his
office, to advance money to dcfray his eX-
penscs, and wait until success in business
should furnish the means of repayment The
offer was accepted. The apprentice boy
bought his time, entered the Office of judy,
Wood, and for more than two years applied
himself closely TO business and study. liz
read law and general literature, and studied
and practised surveying.
Fearing he should incur too large debt to
his bcn,factor, he taught school for three
months i'll the year, and acquired the means
of partially supporting himself. In the fall
of 1921. he removed TO Tie county of Elie,
and the next spring entered law Office in
Buffalo
There he sustained himself by teaching
and continued his legal studies until tn.
spring OF 1928, when he was admitted TO the
Common Pleas, and being too diflident of his
then untricd powers to enter INTO competition
with the older members Of the bar in Buffalo
he removed to Aurora, in that county, where
he commenced the practice Of the law. In
1926, he was married to Abigail Powers, the
youngest child of the Rev. Lemucl Powers
deceased, by whom he has two children, q
son and daughter. She is Il lady Of great
worth, modest and uliobtrusive in her deport
ment, and highly esteemed for her many
virtues.
In 1927, Mr.. Fillmore was admitted as ar
attorney, and in 1929, as counsellor of tho
Supreme Court. Previous to this time his
practice had been very limited, but his ap'
plication to judicial studies had been constant
and severe, and it is not to be doubted that
during these few years Of comparative seclu-
sion, he acquired that general knowledge Of
the Fundamental nrincip of the law which