Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-03-11
Death of EX.President Fillmore.

BUFFALO, March Six Presi-
d ent Fillmore died tonight. Willard
Fillmore was born in Cayuga County,
New York,in 1900, and was consequent
ly about "a years of age at the time of
his death. In early life he did no:
e"joy even the ordinary school privil
eyes, and it was only by the most in
dustrous effort that he secured the
legal knowledge which afterwards
brought him into political prominence
and resulted in his great popularity
with the people Of the whole country.
He was apprenticed to wool carder
in the vicinity Of Summer Hill, but
did not complete his trade, and went
to stedy law in the Office of Judge
Wood, who appreciated his natural
ability and gave him gratis al the op-
portunity possible to qualify himself
for the legal profession. Fillmore
gladly accepted the position, and by
teaching obtained sufficient means to
partially defray his expenses and les
sen the burden Of his beneiactor In
1921 he removed to Erie County. and
began the practice of the law at Buffalo
after several years Of study, being adj
mitted as an attorney 10 1927, as a
counselor of the State Supreme Court
in 1929, and the subsequent year he
formed a favorable connection with an
experienced member Of the bar. la
1929 he commenced his political career,
being elected member Of the lower
house Of the State Legislature. At
che close Of the session he resumed his
practice, but was soon again called up
Oh by the people and flied all positions
OF trust to the satisfaction of his con.
stituen's. La 1917 he was chosen
Comptroller of his State of New York,
aud the following year ne received tue
still higher honor Of heiug elected
Vice President OF the United states
on the Wing ticket with Gen. Taylor
at the Lead. The sudden death Of the
latter in July, lS49, made Mr.. Fill
more tie Chief Magistrate Of the na-
ton. When he was installed the dis
cussion Ut the slavery question was at
its height, and the relations between
the North and South were threatening.
In his messages he supported the fug-
tive slave law aud reccmm ,ndel a
protective tariff. Dauiel Webster was
appointed Secretary Of State, which
naturally strengthened Fillmore ad-
ministration. La his last message to
Congress the President announced the
death of Webster He retired from
the office in 1858, leaving the country
at peace within and without and ia
the enjoyment of a high degree OF
prosperity. Just previous to his nomi-
nation for the Vice Presidency, Mr..
Fillmore had associated with him in
his profession Messrs Hall and Haven
both of whom became eminent in the
legal profession during the existence
Of the firm The latter died some
years ago in Illinois, and the death of
Judge Hall was announced on Monday.
Mr.. Haven was Postmaster-Ge neral
under Fillmore. Mr. Fillmore visited
Europe in 1856, and was received at
the principal courts wi the distinction
which his character and name claimed
for him. 1t was during his absence
from this country that he was run as Il
candidate for the Presidency by the
American party, but he received a very
small minority of votes. On his re
turn hs took up his residence at Buffalo
his home for thirty years, where lie
enjoyed among all classes that high
consideration to which, by his talents
and integrity, he Was SO justly entitled