Tyler, John
tenth president of the United States, was born March 29, 1790, in Williamsburg, Va., and at the age of seventeen he graduated at William and Mary college. At the age of nineteen he was admitted to the bar; and at the age of twenty-one (1811) he was elected to the Virginia legislature; and held the office five successive years.
In 1813 he married Miss Lucretia Christian. She died in 1842; and in 1844 he married Miss Julia Gardiner. In 1816 he was elected a representative in congress; and served two terms. In 1823 he was elected a member of the state legislature; and in 1825 he was elected governor of Virginia. He was elected United States senator in 1827; and re-elected in 1833, but resigned his seat in 1836. In 1838 he was again elected to the state legislature; and in 1840 was elected vice-president of the United States.
Upon the death of President Harrison, in accordance with Article III. of the constitution, he became president of the United States. Mr. Tyler was at his residence in Virginia when Mr. Harrison died (April 4), but reached Washington and took the oath of office April 6, 1841.
At the close of his official term (March 4, 1845) he retired to his estate near Williamsburg, and died Jan. 17, 1862. He was a member of the secession congress at the time of his death. Tyler held office twenty-seven years. He died rich.