Jimmy was the first of 10 children, born in a log cabin in North Carolina. When he was 10 years old, Jimmy's family moved to Tennessee and his father, Samuel, soon became a political "boss" in their new county.
Politicians of all stripes, including future presidents and congressmen, would visit Jimmy's home regularly.
From humble beginnings, Jimmy suffered from health problems his entire life. He was frail and subjected to crude surgical techniques.
For instance, to get rid of his urinary stones—where the only anesthetic was either whiskey or brandy—the procedure was so rough on young Jimmy that it was likely this barbaric "treatment" that rendered him unable to father children of his own.
At age 20, Jimmy went back to North Carolina and enrolled at UNC-Chapel Hill. After graduation he zigzagged west again—this time to Nashville. He became a lawyer and small businessman and soon entered the family business—politics.
At age 28, Jimmy married the lovely Sarah who was from nearby Murfreesboro. Sarah was highly educated and became a workhorse in the political arena. She wrote many of his speeches, advised on policy, all the while maintaining a grace and charm that contrasted Jimmy's often grim and usually austere manner.
In that nuptial year, Jimmy's "Uncle Andrew"—one of those early visitors to the family home—ran for president of the United States. He lost, but Jimmy and Andy began their political alliance in earnest—one that lasted for over 20 years until "Uncle" died.
Meanwhile, Jimmy ran a campaign himself that season and won an election to become a U.S. Representative from the state of Tennessee. Fast-forward a little more than 10 years later, and Jimmy is elected Speaker of the House (of the U.S.) and in a few more years came back home, for he was elected as the governor of Tennessee. Jimmy was just 43 years old.
It had been a whirlwind ride for young Jimmy. But it was not over. Soon he won a contested national election in which he became the
President of the United States
In his first term, this "Dark Horse" reduced the onerous tariff rates on Americans, established an independent Treasury, and enlarged the territory of the United States in what is now considered the third-largest land expansion in the republic's history.
Jimmy's administration faced pressures in the north and the south. He negotiated a settlement with Great Britain to avoid an imminent third war with "John Bull" over British Columbia and the Oregon Country. Meanwhile, as commander-in-chief, he prosecuted a winning war effort against Mexico.
The other promise Jimmy made to the American electorate—and which he fulfilled—was to serve just a single term. He did not run for president a second time.
The perpetually frail Jimmy finished out his one and only term with the "peaceful transfer of power" to his successor.
Retirement didn't last long, however, as Jimmy died of cholera just 3 months later — at age 53.
Dramatis personae:
"Jimmy" — James K. Polk. 11th President of the United States (1845 - 1849). Polk's wife was the former Sarah Childress.
"Uncle Andrew" — Andrew Jackson. 7th President of the United States (1829 - 1837).
Cliff's Notes:
If you're a man, your wife should be smarter and more put together than you are.
Ally with a wise mentor.
With grit and determination, nothing can stop you (except for Mother Nature and Father Time).
You have nothing to fear.
Because starting today, you are a new and improved person.
Who says?
I do.
As always,
Brian
P.S. — James K. Polk is a great figure to study and his story is one to remember when times get hard. Use it as a reminder when you begin to tell yourself you want to give up.
And somewhat unrelated, but…
…the craziest fact (tangentially) related to the Polk legacy may be about his predecessor.
The 10th president of the United States—and arguably the best president in US history—John Tyler, has a grandson alive today (5/5/24).
President Tyler was born in 1790, less than a year into the first Washington Administration. His grandson, Harrison Ruffin Tyler, is currently 95 years old and lives in Virginia.
Harrison's older brother, Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr. died in 2020.
Historian Brion McClanahan (a professor at Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom) makes a great case for Tyler's ascendence in the presidential polls. For more:
Taylor also has a strong advocate in O'Leary Letter subscriber, JD Breen. His Substack article on Tyler:
