Changes

==Early life==

==Early life==

Stevens was born in [[Danville, Vermont]], and suffered from many hardships during his childhood, including a [[club foot]]. His father was an alcoholic who was unable to hold a steady job and who abandoned the family before dying in the [[War of 1812]].

Stevens was born in Danville, Vermont, and suffered from many hardships during his childhood, including a club foot. His father was an alcoholic who was unable to hold a steady job and who abandoned the family before dying in the [[War of 1812]]. Stevens attended [[Dartmouth College]], graduating in 1814; he moved to York, Pennsylvania, where he taught school and studied law. After admission to the bar, he established a successful law practice, first in [[Gettysburg]], then in [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania|Lancaster]] in 1815. He later took on several young lawyers, among them Edward McPherson, who later became his protegé and ardent supporter in Congress.

Stevens attended [[Dartmouth College]], graduating in 1814; he moved to [[York, Pennsylvania]], where he taught school and studied law. After admission to the bar, he established a successful law practice, first in [[Gettysburg, Pennsylvania|Gettysburg]], then in [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania|Lancaster]] in 1815. He later took on several young lawyers, among them [[Edward McPherson]], who later became his protegé and ardent supporter in Congress.

==Political life==

==Political life==