Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1873-03-12
THE CHRONICLE.
OUR PRESIDENTS,

WIZ ~
George Washington belonged, b!
birth, to the famous class of "Virgi
mia gentlemen" His family ranked
among the aristocraey, being connect
ed with the gentry OF England. n,
began life as o surveyor, but gaineC
wealth and position by 3 marriage
with Mrs. Gusts, a wealthy and &C
complished widow. A story Is tolC
OF his later years, that a poor Virgi
nian of quality, whom he had repr1v
ed, retorIed sharply. II should hk'
to know, George Washington, wha'
you would have been if you hadn'
married the widow Custis." Wash
ington smiled, because the man wa
poor and unfortunate, but he rarely
allowed such liberties.
John Adams was a lawyer, and the
| the son of q farmer and shoemaker
of a family that has been settled il
Massachusetts, for seven generations
The Adamses are one of the few
American families entitled to be call
ed historical. They have won 8
national reputation for brilliant tai
ents, for eminent services in politics,
and law, and literature, and states
manship, and also for wealth, without
which no family can long be kept up.
No other family can compare with
them ia the number and rank OF pub
lie Offices they have filed; in ancient
Rome they would have been called 8
Consular family. They are the Ad-
amses of Quincy. andin France Chas,
F.aucis Adams would be called n. de
Quincy. Quincy is an old French
or rather, q Norman name, and ap-
pears in the Roll of Battle Abbey. Ii
has only a territorial relation to the
Adamses. The name belongs prop
erly 20 another great American family
descended from an ancestor who was
in the battle of Hastings, A, ID. 1866.
Thomas Jefferson was a lawyer, and
his family held a good but not high
social rank in Virginia bis atten-
ton was attracted to public life by the
struggle between the Colonies and
ending in the revolution,
and made for himself a great name in
history as a Legislator, an author, a
diplOmatist, and a political leader.
James Madison was the Sol of q
wealthy Virginia planter, and was
educated for a lawyer. He q hard
student, but having entered public
life very early never returned to his
profession.
James Monroe was also the son of 8
Virginia planter and educated for the
bar, like Mr.. Madison. But the pub
lie troubles drew him into political
life in early youth, and he served with
honor in The army and in civil pur-
suits. he had a large experience in
and a thorough training in
,tatesmanship.
John Quincy Adams was the eldest
ION of John Adams, and s lawyer; bnt
his life was devoted to public service.
With a few interludes given to literary
pursuits, be Was educated for states
nanship by his parents, and had q
anger and more varied experlenee in
life than any other President.
Andrew jackson came from a poor
Southern family, and began the prac-
ice of law at manhood. He was
ajuige, a merchant, plan
Ter and a soldier, and served in both
Houses Of Congress before he was
made President.
The father of Martin Van Buren,
was too poor to give his son an educa-
ion, but the energy Of the young man
iorced his way to the bar, and be be
,ame an acknowledged leader among
.awyers.
William Henry Harrison was the
.hird son of Benjamin Harrison, a
Virginia planter, and one of the sign
srs of the Declaration OF ~Indepen-
fence. He entered the army early.
BET had also important trusts IN civil
life, y
John Tyler was the son of an emil
.ent Virginian, a man of large wealth
who filed many high Offices.
James K. Polk was the son OF 9
respectable farmer, and was educated
IS a lawyer.
The father of Zachary Taylor was
Col. Richard Taylor, who won dis
tinction in the Revolution, and emf
grated to Kentucky soon aftsr his
birth. The sons life, after leav-
ing the plantation, was spent in the
army until his election to the Presi.
Milliard Fillmore was of humble
and served five years as an APP
prentice to a fuller's trade. He was
self-educated, became a lawyer, and
soon won distinction in public life.
Franklin Pierce was the son of
General Benjamin Pierce, revolution
airy officer of reputation, and a man
of public note, who was chosen Gov
error Of New Hampshire. ga
James Buchanan was the son of 8
Pennsylvania farmer, and entered
life eally.
Abraham Lincoln was born of very
parents, and so were Andrew
johnson and Ulysses S. Grant.
All the Presidents have had a high
social rank, some of them born to it,
and others attaining it by the profess
sion of law or arms.