James Buchanan was born in April 23, 1791 in a cabin in Cove Gap, Pennsylvania.
James father came to America as a Scotch-Irish in 1783. At the age of six his family
moved to Mercersberg PA. where his father would open a general store . James was the
second of eleven in his family. James was able to go to school where he lived but when
he was not studying he was helping his father in the shop.
James father made James work hard and taught James that he must be ready to take
care for his brothers and sister when James father died. At the age of sixteen James
father sent him to Dickinson College in Carlisle PA. James was a serious student but he
also wanted to have a good time. He began to smoke a drink with the other students, and
later was expelled from college.
English: James Buchanan in his post-presidency yea...
James Buchanan monument, Washington, DC
English: James K. Polk and his cabinet in the Whit...He begged for them to take him back, and he would turn
over a new leaf. He was allowed to return and graduated on high honors. After college he
left and went to study law in Lancaster PA. James worked hard and later became a
successful lawyer. He made more than 11,000 a year. James became a canidate for the
Pennsylavania legislature in 1814. But the war of 1812 was growing fast. The British Had
just burned down Washingto D.C. James volunteered to serve his country so he joined a
calvary company. Buchanan returned for the election and won a seat in legislature in
1814. He served another term and returnd to Lancaster.
James Buchanan became a popular person in Lancaster and was invited to many
partys and dinners. At one party he met a girl named Ann Coleman. They later got
engaged. In the spring of 1819 there were...