OF THE UNITED STATES Designed for Study and Supplementary Reading BY EDWARD S. ELLIS, A. M. AUTHOR OF "STORIES FROM AMERICAN HISTORY," "EPOCHS OF AMERI- REVISED BY J. O. HALL, A. B., Superintendent of Schools, Beloit, Kansas. AUTHOR OF "HALL'S OUTLINES OF UNITED STATES HISTORY," ETC. A. FLANAGAN COMPANY CHICAGO INTRODUCTION It is an old saying that every American Boy expects some day to become President of the United States. Whether this be true or not, all boys and girls are interested in reading about the men whose deeds have made them prominent in history; and our form of Government makes it possible for the poorest youth to attain, by his own efforts, the highest honor the Nation has to confer. It is hoped these biographical sketches may aid in determining what traits of character and achievements will most certainly lead to honorable recognition. The lives of public men are so closely associated with and influenced by the events of their times that their biographies naturally include much of the history of the country, while a knowledge of the character and progress of the people may be gained by studying the careers of the men who have been chosen as their leaders. It is difficult for a contemporary to review the events of the recent administrations and pass judgment on public men, with regard to their final place in history, on account of the environment of party strife with all its conflicting opinions; but it has been our aim to present these biographies from an entirely non-partisan viewpoint. |