James Knox  POLK

Biography
JAMES K. POLK, the eleventh President of the 'United States, was born in Mecklenburgh County, N. C., November 2, 1795. His parents were Samuel and Jane (Knox) Polk, the former a son of Col. Thomas Polk, who located at the above place, as one of the first pioneers, in 1735. In 1806, with his wife and children, and soon after followed by most of the members of the Polk family, Samuel Polk emigrated some two or three hundred miles farther west, to the rich valley of the Duck River. Here, in the midst of the wilderness, in a region which was subsequently called Maury County, they erected their log huts and established their homes. In the hard toil of a new farm in the wilderness, James K. Polk spent the early years of his childhood and youth. His father, adding the pursuit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, gradually increased in wealth, until he became one of the leading men of the region. His mother was a superior woman, of strong common sense and earnest piety.

Very early in life...Read full story


Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa, Chapman Pub Co, 1894

1845 - March 4 - James K. Polk (1795-1849) becomes 11th President of the United States
When James K. Polk accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for the presidency, he was not very well known. The Whig opposition party played on his obscurity, sniping, 'Who is James K. Polk?' An experienced speaker, Polk surprised everyone when he campaigned vigorously and won the presidency on November 5, 1844. He was called a 'dark horse' candidate because he was not expected to beat his opponent, Henry Clay of the Whig Party, to become the 11th president of the United States.

Winning by a narrow margin, Polk campaigned on his strong support for westward expansion, a hotly debated issue that was dodged by other candidates. After taking office, Polk acted swiftly to fulfill his campaign promises, as he intended to serve only one term. In four years, he oversaw the addition of Texas, the reestablishment of an independent treasury system, and the acquisition of territory from Mexico. This new land from Mexico eventually became California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and parts of...Read full story


Visit , United States (USA) (American Colonies)

www.americaslibrary.gov
March 4, 1845

Burial
Name: James Knox Polk
Maiden Name:
Event Type: Burial
Event Date: 1849
Event Place: Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee, United States of America
Photograph Included: Yes
Birth Date: 02 Nov 1795
Death Date: 15 Jun 1849
Affiliate Record Identifier: 823
Cemetery: Tennessee State Capitol Building and Grounds

'Find A Grave Index,' Database, FamilySearch.org

See it on familysearch.org