48
Our Pennsylvania Story
L E S S ON 2 2
James Buchanan,
Pennsylvania’s President
Get ToKnowMe
1. lawyer
2. Senator
3. Secretary of State
4. niece
5. nephew 6. Mistress
FindMeOn TheMap (On Page 4)
1. Mercersburg
2. Carlisle
3. Lancaster
In 1791, a boywas born in a cabin. His namewas James
Buchanan. Many years later, he became our 15th president
of the United States.
The log cabin stood at a place called Stony Batter. Isn’t
that a funny name? Stony Batter was at the foot of South
Mountain. It was near the town of Mercersburg. Years later,
the cabinwasmoved to a school calledMercersburg
Academy. Theremore people can see it. The placewhere
Jameswas bornwasmade into a small state park. Buchanan
State Park looksmuch as it didwhen James was born.
James’ mother was a farmer’s daughter. James’ father
had a trading post or store. The Native Americans brought
furs to the store. They traded the furs for things they needed.
James was called Jamiewhen hewas little. Jamie liked to play in thewoods. Hismother
put a sheep bell around his neck. She could hear the bell. Then Jamie did not get lost.
When James was seven years old, his familymoved. Theymoved toMercersburg.
James’ father had a large store. Now therewere 11 children in the family.
When James was a youngman, hewent to Dickinson College. The college is in
Carlisle. After college, hewent to Lancaster. He studied to be a
lawyer
. Hewas tomarry
a Lancaster girl. For some reason, the girl did not marry him. Soon the girl died. James
was very sad. He nevermarried.
The people of Pennsylvania liked James Buchanan. They chose him to be in Congress.
Jameswent toWashington, and he helped tomake the laws of theUnited States. Then James
was sent to England for our country. Then hewas sent to Russia. Later, James became a
Senator
. Next, he became
Secretary of State
. Thesewere all important jobs for our country.
James Buchanan
