Thumbnail Biography of Franklin Pierce

1804

Nov. 23, Born, Hillsboro, N.H., in a log cabin, site of which is now under Lake Franklin Pierce

1824

Graduated 3rd in his class, Bowdoin College

1827

Admitted to N.H. Bar

1828

Elected to N.H. Legislature; only representative ever to serve under a governor who was his father

1831

Appointed Military Aide to Gov. Samuel Dinsmoor; also elected speaker of the house, youngest man ever to serve

1832

Elected Congressman

1834

Married Jane Means Appleton, Amherst, N.H.

1835

Re-elected to Congress

1836

Baby Franklin jr. born and died three days later

1837

Elected to U. S. Senate

1839

Second son "Franky" born

1841

Third son "Benny" born

1842

Resigned senatorship; moved into house at 18 Montgomery Street (now The Pierce Manse)

1843

"Franky" died of typhus in the house

1846

Franklin enlisted as private, was made Brigadier General, and went off to Mexican War

1848

Returned from the war and sold house

1852

Nominated for President in Baltimore. Elected in November

1853

Benny killed in railroad accident, 2 months before inauguration

1856

Declined his party's endorsement for second term

1857

With Jane traveled widely in Europe

1860

Offered nomination again for presidency but refused it

1863

Jane died, Dec. 2, 1863

1869

Franklin died, Oct. 8, 1869 in Concord, N.H.