The son of an Irish emigrant. He was originally destined for the Church:
but he quitted school to take part in the War of Independence. The war
over, he adopted the law as a profession, and became judge in Tennessee,
as well as Major-General of the Forces of the same state. In 1815, as
Major-General of the United States, he gained a decisive victory over
the English at New Orleans. In 1821, appointed Governor of Florida, and
the next year elected member of the Senate for the state of Tennessee.
Elected President of the United States in 1828 and again 1832; so that
he was at the head of the American government for the space of eight
years. An ardent democratic chief throughout life. His presidency was
distinguished by the development of democratic tendencies, of the spirit
of territorial extension, and by the marked encouragement of the
slave-holding interest. He successfully opposed Congress in the matter
of the United States Bank, regarding it as a monopoly in the State
injurious to the general interests of the people. Jackson was a man of
Roman virtues, a true patriot, and of uncompromising integrity, simple,
and austere. Straightforward and blunt as a soldier.
[By Hiram Powers.]