Biography

Martin Van Buren was born on December 5, 1782, in Kinderhook, New York, the son of Abraham and Maria (Van Alen) Van Buren. Martin attended local schools and was educated to practice law. In 1803, he moved to Hudson, New York, where he practiced law and then entered state and national politics. In 1828, Van Buren was elected Governor of New York, a position which he resigned a few months later to accept the appointment of Secretary of State for President Andrew Jackson. He was selected as Jackson's Vice President from 1833-1837. Van Buren was elected President of the United States in 1836 and served for one term. Van Buren married Hannah Hoes (or Goes) on February 21, 1807, with whom he had five children. After her premature death in 1819, Van Buren never remarried. Van Buren died at his estate, "Lindenwald," in Kinderhook, New York, on July 24, 1862.