honesty, love of truth, indomitable will and courage, in spite of
his many faults, led him to greatness.

He was born with fighting blood in his veins, and, like other
eminent men who have risen to the White House, poor. His father,
an Irish immigrant, died before his youngest son was born,--in
1767,--and life held for the boy more hard knocks than soft
places. His mother, who was ambitious to make him a clergyman,
tried to secure him some early advantages of schooling. Andrew,
however, was not of a studious disposition, nor at all inclined to
the ministry, and made little effort to profit by even the limited
opportunities he had.

But despite all the disadvantages of environment and mental traits
by which he was handicapped, he was bound by the force of certain
other traits to be a winner in the battle of life. The quality to
which his success is chiefly owing is revealed by the words of a
school-fellow, who, in spite of Jackson's slender physique and
lack of physical strength at that time, felt the force of his iron
will. Speaking of their wrestling matches at school, this boy
said, "I could throw him [Jackson] three times out of four, but he
never would stay throwed. He was dead game and never would give
up."

A boy who "never would stay throwed," and "never would give up"
would succeed though the whole world tried to bar his progress.

When, at the age of fifteen, he found himself alone in the world,
homeless and penniless, he adapted himself to anything he could
find to do.