James Knox Polk James Knox Polk was born on November 2, 1795, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Polk died on June 15, 1849, in Nashville, Tennessee. Nicknamed "Young Hickory" he was the 11th president and served from March 4, 1845 to March 3, 1849. Polk was being a lawyer and a Colonel in the military. Then in 1823 he was a member of Tennessee House of Representatives. In 1825 he became a member of U.S. House of Representatives. He was the Speaker of the …showed first 75 words of 295 total…

…showed last 75 words of 295 total…the first Whitehouse Thanksgiving dinner and privately helped him write his speeches and gave him advice. Sarah also banned dancing, card playing, and alcoholic beverages in the Whitehouse because she was a devout Presbyterian. Polk was the first President to voluntarily retire after one term and was the first President to have his inauguration reported by telegraph. Also James Knox Polk was the only president who was also the Speaker of the House of Representatives.