Martin Van Buren was the 8th President of the United States. He served our nation in office from 1837-1841. His accomplishments during and after his presidency made him an outstanding leader of our country. .
"Mat" Van Buren as his friends and family called him, was born in Kinderhook, New York on December 5, 1782. His family was not wealthy at all. His father had a farm and owned a tavern where usual town meetings were held. Everyone in his town spoke Dutch. Mat showed great intelligence in his early years at Kinderhook Academy where he studied the fundamental concepts of logic and Latin. At the age of 14 Mat left Kinderhook Academy to study law under Francis Silvester, a prominent local attorney who was also a distant relative. Mat took every free moment to study law and he got so good the news spread that Mat was on his way to becoming a fine lawyer. Mat attended the convention of Jeffersonian Republicans in Troy, New York. Although Mat was only 17 he impressed the politicians with his intelligence and maturity. Mat argued politics often with Silvester, but Mat was deeply grateful for being taught the law.
Van Buren accepted a position in a law office and within a few weeks he was on his way to New York City. At the age of 20 Mat was leaving Kinderhook for the first time. He was nervous about the change. Van Buren was ready to become a state politician. He was broke weeks after he arrived in the city. John Van Ness sent money to support him and pay his rent. Through Van Ness Mat met Aaron Burr and observed the battle for control of the New York Democratic Party. He got an inside look at political maneuvering. Burr turned to Mat for his opinion on new ideas and treated him with respect. Later, Mat would be called on by Van Ness to support Burr for Governor of New York. Mat refused feeling that Burr was not the man for the job. He made enemies because of that decision, but stood his ground.
