Martin Van Buren was born in Kinderhook, New York on December 5, 1782. Born from modest means, his parents, Abraham Van Buren and Maria Hoes Van Buren were of pure Dutch descent. Abraham Van Buren, a modest farmer, also owned a tavern that was often used for political meetings. Because of this, Van Buren was exposed to local politics at an early age, this later influence him into becoming a politician. Van Buren was born into a large family with six other siblings. He had a half-sister, a half-brother, two sisters, and two brothers. Van Buren attended the local school Kinderhook Academy until the age of 14. Then, unable to afford college, he worked as a clerk in the local lawyers office. Van Buren’s inability to go to college was not surprising for this time period. Being born to a modest family with six children, the family was unable to continue his education, therefore Van Buren obtained a job as a clerk for a local lawyer’s office. After seven years of working as a clerk Van Buren moved to New York City. In 1803 he moved back to Kinderhook and started his own law practice with his half-brother James Van Allen.…show more content… They had four children together who survived past infancy. They were all sons whose names were Abraham, John, Martin Jr., and Smith Thompson. As the years passed Van Buren gained political popularity as well as popularity as a lawyer. In 1812 he was voted as the senator for New York and was elected into the United States Senate. By 1829 Van Buren had become the governor of New York. Later that year he was elected Secretary of State by Andrew Jackson after Van Buren supported him in the 1828 election. Van Buren then became Vice President for Andrew Jackson for his second