Fillmore Administration - Early Life
Early Life
The story of Millard Fillmore demonstrates vividly that in the United States a person of very humble birth can rise to be president. On January 7, 1800, Millard Fillmore was born in a log cabin on the frontier in western New York State. Millard's father was a poor and rather unsuccessful farmer. As a boy, Fillmore learned to hoe corn, mow hay, harvest wheat, and cut logs for the fireplace. Not until he was 19 years old did he attend school. There was never much time for fun and relaxation, but Fillmore did occasionally hunt and fish in Lake Skaneateles near his home in New York. When Fillmore reached the age of 14, his father apprenticed his son to a clothmaker. The future president disliked his mentor so much that within four months he was back at home. His father found another clothmaker, and Fillmore moved to New Hope, New York, to learn the trade.
[The entire page is 166 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
Related Topics
