Zachary Taylor

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Fact File

• President No.: 12th
• Served: 1849-1850
• Party: Whig
• From: Louisiana
• Married: Margaret Mackall Smith Taylor
• Born: November 24, 1784 in Orange County, Virginia
• Died: July 9, 1850 in Washington D.C. while in office. He got sick after eating cherries and milk at a July 4 celebration. He was the second president to die in office.
• Education: Did not attend college.
• Jobs Before President: General in the Mexican War, Career officer in the Army
• Height: 5 feet, 8 inches
• Population at time: 23,191,876
• Hobbies: Horseback riding
• Transportation: Train
• Communication Methods: Letter

Zachary Taylor Biography

The twelfth President of the United States, Zachary Taylor, also known as "Old Rough and Ready" due to his slovenly dress, was born to Richard Taylor and Sarah Strother on November 24, 1784 in Barboursville, Virginia. Though his family was aristocratic Taylor was born in a log cabin. As an infant he and his family moved to Kentucky, where Taylor grew up on a plantation and was known as "Little Zack." His family's fortunes grew, and by 1800, they owned 10,000 acres in Kentucky and a number of slaves.

He was a wealthy slave owner who held properties in the plantation states of Louisiana, Kentucky, and Mississippi. During his brief time in office -- he died only sixteen months after his election -- his presidency foundered over the question of whether the national government should permit the spread of slavery to the present-day states of California, New Mexico, and Utah, then newly won from Mexico.

Taylor joined the U. S. Army in 1808 becoming a career officer. He received a commission as first lieutenant, and soon afterward was ordered into the Indiana Territory, taking command of Fort Harrison near Helena, Montana. He became known as an excellent military commander during the War of 1812. Taylor also served in the Black Hawk War (1832) and the Second Seminole War (1835–1842). It was during the Seminole War that he gained the nickname "Old Rough and Ready."

In 1810, he married Margaret Mackall Smith, the daughter of a prominent Maryland family. She followed him from post to post as their four daughters were born. The family finally settled in Louisiana, where Taylor assumed command of the fort at Baton Rouge. Taylor won fame as an "Indian fighter" in the present-day states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Florida, and Texas. Although he frequently fought Native Americans, he also protected their lands from invading white settlers. He believed that the best solution for coexistence between settlers and Native Americans was a strong military presence to keep the two sides apart.