Presidents of the United States of America
11 - James K. Polk
Personal Statistics:
Birth Date: November 2, 1795
Birthplace: Family farm, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Father: Samuel Polk (1772-1827)
Mother: Jane Knox (1776-1852)
Height at Prime: Just under medium height
Physical Description: Erect in bearing, deep-set gray eyes, prominent forehead, large nose, long, straight black hair
Religion: Presbyterian and Methodist
Wife: Sarah Childress (September 4, 1803 – August 14, 1891)
Marriage Date: January 1, 1824
Marriage Place: Plantation home of bride’s parents, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Children: No natural children
Death Date: June 15, 1849
Place of Death: Polk Place, Nashville, Tennessee
Cause of Death: Cholera resulting in debilitating diarrhea and dehydration
Final Words: “I love you, Sarah, for all eternity, I love you.â€
1st Buried: A common cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee due to fears of spreading cholera
2nd Buried: Polk Place, Nashville, Tennessee
3rd Buried: Grounds of the State Capital, Nashville, Tennessee
Professional Statistics:
Captain of a militia cavalry regiment, later rising to colonel
U.S. Representative (1825-1839); Speaker of the House (1835-1839)
Governor of Tennessee (1839-1841)
11th President of the United States (1845-1849)
Political Party: Democrat
His Vice President: George Mifflin Dallas (1845-1849)
Events During Presidency:
Texas admitted to Union (1845)
Iowa admitted to Union (1846)
Oregon Treaty (1846)
Mexican War (1846-1848)
Walker Tariff (1846)
Independent Treasury Act (1846)
Wisconsin admitted to Union (1848)