A self-made man, Millard Fillmore grew up in near poverty and began his working career as a clothmaker's apprentice. He taught himself reading, spelling, arithmetic, and geography, studied law and became a lawyer, then won election to the New York State Legislature and to the U.S. House of Representatives. He did not become known nationally, however, until the Whig Party chose him to be Zachary Taylor's vice-presidential running mate in 1848; in 1850, he became the second Vice-President to become President upon the death of the chief executive.

Jan 7, 1800		Born in Locke, New York.
1814-1819		Apprenticed to a clothmaker.
1823		Opened a law office in East Aurora, New York.
Feb 5, 1826		Married Abigail Powers.
1828		Elected to the New York House of Representatives.
1832		Elected to U.S. House of Representatives; served from 1833 to 1835.
1836		Again elected to the U.S. House of Representatives; served from 1837 to 1843.
1844		Defeated in bid for governorship of New York.
1846		Became the first Chancellor of the University of Buffalo.
1847		Elected Comptroller of New York.
1848		Elected Vice-President of the United States.
July 10, 1850		Succeeded to the presidency.
1852		Defeated in bid for presidential nomination.
1853		Mrs. Abigail Fillmore died.
1856		Defeated in bid for presidential election.
Feb 10, 1858		Married Mrs. Caroline McIntosh.
Mar 8, 1874		Died in Buffalo, New York.

Notes and Trivia

People admired Fillmore for his modesty. When Oxford University offered him an honorary degree, Fillmore replied that he had done nothing to deserve the honor, and would not accept it.

Zachary Taylor
New York

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This page was last updated on 12/26/2012.