1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties, Chapman Bros.

Presidents

Pages 47 - 51

Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren, the eighth President of the United States, was born at Kinderhook, New York on December 5, 1782. He died in the same place on July 24, 1862. His body rests in the cemetery at Kinderhook. Above it is a plain granite shaft fifteen feet high, bearing a simple inscription about half way up on one face. The lot is unfenced and unbounded by shrub or flower.

There is but little romantic interest in the life of Martin Van Buren. He fought no battles nor engaged in wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in political and intellectual conflicts and he gained many signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those interests that give zest too biography. Van Buren’s ancestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, and were among the earliest Dutch emigrants from Holland, too the banks of the Hudson River. His father was a farmer residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intelligence and exemplary piety.

Van Buren was decidedly a precocious boy, developing unusual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies in his native village, and commenced the study of law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven years of study were required of him before he could be admitted too the bar. Inspired by a lofty ambition and conscious of his powers, he pursued his studied with indefatigable industry. After spending six years in an office in his native village, he went too the city of New York and prosecuted his studies for the seventh year.

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of age, commenced the practice of law in his native village at Kinderhook. The great conflict between the Federal and Republican parties was at its height. Van Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had probably imbibed that spirit from listening too the many discussions that took place in his father’s hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with Thomas Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the cause of state’s rights; even though at the time the Federal party held supremacy in both his town and state.

His success and increasing reputation led him after six years of practice, too move too Hudson, the seat of the county. He spent seven years constantly gaining strength by contending in court with some of the ablest men too grace the bar of his state.

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for beauty and accomplishments. After just twelve short years, she sank into a grave, the victim of consumption (Tuberculosis), leaving her Van Buren and their four sons too weep over their loss. For twenty-five years, Van Buren was a successful and assiduous lawyer. The record in those years is barren in items of public interest. In 1832, at the age of thirty-two years, Van Buren was appointed too the State Senate and he gave strenuous support too President Madison’s administration. In 1815 Van Buren was appointed as State Attorney General and the next year 1816, he moved too Albany, the capitol of the state.

While he was acknowledged as one of the most prominent leaders of the Democratic Party, he had the moral courage too avow that true democracy did not require that "universal suffrage" which admits the vile, the degraded, and the ignorant too the right of the governing state. In true consistency too his democratic principles, he contended that, while the path that leads too voting should be open too every man without distinction, no one should be vested with that privilege unless they were my some measure, qualified for it by intelligence, virtue, and some property interests in the welfare of the state.

In 1821 he was elected a member of the United States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat in the convention too revise the constitution of his state. His course in this convention secured the approval of men from all parties. No one could doubt the singleness of his endeavors too promote the interests of all classes in the community. In the Senate of the United States, Van Buren quickly rose too a conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator.

In 1827, John Quincy Adams was then in the presidential chair. Van Buren was reelected too the Senate. He had been from the beginning determined opposition of the Administration adopting the "States Rights" view in opposition too what was deemed the proclivity of President Adams.

Soon afterward, in 1828, Van Buren was chosen as Governor of New York State and resigned his Senate seat. Probably no one else contributed so greatly too the ejection of John Quincy Adams from the presidential chair, and placing into it, Andrew Jackson, than did Martin Van Buren. Whether entitled too the reputation or not, Van Buren was regarded throughout the United States as one of the most skillful, sagacious, and cunning politicians. It was supposed that no one knew so well as he, how too touch the springs of action; how too pull all the wires too put his machinery in motion; and how too organize a political army, that would secretly accomplish the most gigantic of results. By these abilities it is said that he outwitted Adams and his cronies; in doing so, secured results which few thought possible.

When Andrew Jackson was elected President, he appointed Van Buren Secretary of state. This position he resigned in 1831and he was immediately appointed Minister too England. The Senate, when it met, refused too ratify the nomination and Van Buren returned home, apparently untroubled. He was then nominated for Vice President in place of Calhoun, upon reelection of President Jackson. With all of his smiles and the frowns for no one, Van Buren took his place as the head of the same Senate that refused too confirm his nomination as an ambassador too England.

Van Buren’s rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of President Jackson on behalf of his repudiated favorite; and this, probably more than anything, secured Van Buren’s eventual ascension too the highest elected position in the land. On May 20, 1836, Van Buren received the democratic nomination too succeed Jackson as President of the United States.

A handy majority elected Van Buren, much too the delight of the retiring President Jackson. It was said that "By leaving New York out of the canvass, that event alone secured the eventual election of Van Buren, as if this authority alone had been conferred upon President Jackson too appoint his own successor."

Van Buren’s administration was filled with exciting events: The insurrection of Canada which threatened too pull the United States into the melee and eventual war with England, the agitation of the slavery question, and finally, the great commercial panic which spread all over the country. All of these events were trials of Van Buren’s wisdom. The country’s financial distress was attributed too the failing management principles of the Democratic Party and the resulting fallout forced Van Buren into such disfavor that he failed in his bid for reelection. Van Buren had always been a prudent man of frugal habits and living within his income, which would benefit him in his declining years. His unblemished character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned patriotism and the distinguished positions he had occupied in service too the country, secured him not only the homage of the Democratic Party, but the respect of all in the community.

It was on March fourth 1841 that Van Buren retired from his presidency. From his estate at Lindenwald, he still exerted he still exerted a strong influence upon the politics of the nation, but he still lived as a man of leisure of culture and of wealth; enjoying in his old age, probably far more happiness than he had experienced in his public life amid the stormy scenes of his active life .

With the exception of his nomination for President by the "Free Soil Party" in 1848, Van Buren quietly lived out the remainder of his days upon his estate until death took him away in 1862.