Blog
From Peter H. Miller, Traditional Building:
Not every great leader was born with wealth and privilege. In fact, some of the greatest U.S. presidents came from the most humble of abodes. Today we take a look at some of our favorite presidential birthplaces.
1) Abraham Lincoln
Arguably one of the greatest leaders in our nation’s history, Abraham Lincoln could not have come from a more humble beginning. This one-room cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky, measured only 16 ft. x 18 ft., had a dirt floor, a stone fireplace, and a single window.
2) Dwight Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in this simple 2-story frame house in Denison, Texas. He was the first U.S. President from Texas–although he didn’t know that until he was an adult. Eisenhower’s family moved to Kansas when he was 2 years old, and he had no knowledge of his Texas origins until a local school principal named Jennie Jackson contacted him and asked if he was related to the Eisenhower family of Denison. Once Eisenhower’s mother confirmed that it was indeed his birthplace, Jackson set about raising funds to buy the home, which was then donated to the city of Denison. It is now operated by the Texas Historical Commission, and is a designated Texas Historic Landmark.
3) Bill Clinton
William Jefferson Clinton, our 42nd president, was born in the small town of Hope, Arkansas. He lived in this modest house in Hope with his recently-widowed mother and her parents until he was 4 years old. It was in this home that Clinton first learned about social equality, justice, and a commitment to serving others from his beloved grandfather.
4) John Adams
John Adams, the second president of the United States, was born in this Quincy, Massachusetts saltbox house that was built in 1681. This historic American colonial structure still stands in its original location, surrounded by the six acres of land that Adams’ father–a prominent deacon–bought soon after his birth. Adams lived in this house with his family until the age of 29 when he married Abigail Smith.
5) Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant’s parents paid $2 a month to rent this tiny home in Point Pleasant, Ohio. Grant was born in this home, but lived there less than a year–his family moved to Georgetown just prior to his first birthday. Today, this site is a historic house museum operated by the Ohio Historical Society, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“It was hard to make up our minds to switch from competitor’s products to the Perma-Chink products but we are glad that we did.
The Lifeline stains are so much easier to work with.”
Ross Mahosky,
Mountainside Log Homes Inc.
Jim Barna Log & Timber Homes.
“Perma-Chink Systems and Marks Lumber have been partners for almost 5 years. We take pride in offering our customers best-of-breed products that add value to our core specialty lumber products business. With Perma-Chink we have confidence in the full-line of products, and we can rely on the great customer service and product expertise. This makes Perma-Chink recommendations to our valued customers the best choice for our industry partner.”
Marks Lumber, Inc. Clancy, MT
Products in Picture – Ultra2, Lifeline Advance, & Perma-Chink
I’ve received the samples you sent and have been playing with them. I cannot put into words how impressed I am with the few I’ve already tried!!! Even on “old” weathered wood!! The richness of the stains (have used a few of the Lifeline Ultra-7 stains and topcoat) have blown me away and is building the confidence to tackle our log home! I’m trying out a few of the stain strippers today but had to let you know, rather than dreading this project alone, I now look forward to it! I tried to call your TN office but think they’re closed today so I’ll try them again on Monday.
Again, thank you for allowing me to test these products!!
Catherine Hazen
Brandon MS
Paul,
Don & I would like to thank you for coming by the house to advise us on the log cabin. It was so generous of you to take the time to walk through the place & share your knowledge & expertise on all things “log cabin”. I can’t tell you how helpful that was for us. We also appreciate the references for contractors & I will be calling them to meet & hopefully be to engage their services.
Thank you again we really appreciate it!
Warm Regards
Colleen Timney
Don Camody, Esq
Brentwood, TN 37027
Stephanie,
We have been living in our log home for over seven years now and I can’t begin to express how pleased I am with the performance of Perma-Chink Finishes! Last year the only thing we did was switch from a flat finish to a semi-gloss top coat. The stain we initially used has performed well with very little pealing or fading. I would highly recommend this product to anyone. It is a easy product to work with and looks great!
Jerry Turner
Stone Lake, WI
Perma-Chink Systems Inc.,
Over the last year or so I have ordered a number of products from Permachink for a cabin project I have going on. I just wanted to drop a note and say that I have dealt with people from Perma-Chink Corporate, Dave in PA, Brad in the online orders dept., and several others who have assisted me with advice and their knowledge. It’s very rare that I find a company that everyone I deal with is friendly and helpful every time you call. I am in the commercial construction industry so we don’t typically use Permachink Products on commercial buildings but if we did I would make sure that you guys were who we went to for our supplies. Thanks and not sure who will receive this but if I had the option I would send this note straight to your CEO.
Chris Schnurbusch,
President South East Region
Crossland Construction Inc
Rogers, AR 72758
Good afternoon,
I have meant to send this email for a few weeks as I just wanted to share the before and after photos of a great job completed by Back Country Cabins and their sub contractor Jeff Long.
I have owned my cabin since 2004 which is when I first used Perma-Chink products to stain the cabin and garage. I attended a seminar to see if completing the staining and sealing of the cabin was something I wanted to complete myself or hire someone. I obtained several recommendations of contractors and went with Back Country Cabins. I started the process in May and due to weather and previously scheduled jobs my cabin was finally completed in October and it looks amazing.
Thank you for such a great product and having such reliable contractors to recommend.

Respectfully a Perma-Chink customer for life,
Rebecca Chapple, KY
Dear Perma-Chink Systems, Inc. of Stevensville, MT.
I am very impressed with your outstanding customer service and products! When I called your store, Shar patiently answered all my questions and assured me that there would be no wait time for the chinking and the grip strips I needed, as they were in stock. Prior to my pick-up date I called to confirm that my order would be ready. Unfortunately, the Perma-chink store was not scheduled to be open on my pick-up date. My special thanks to store manager, Joanne, for happily making special arrangements for me to pick up my order on the desired date! Now that is down-home, Montana-style customer service at its best!! In this computer-age of impersonal, internet purchasing, I am especially impressed with the personal customer assistance I experienced! This is very much in keeping with the neighborly, pioneering spirit in which our Montana forefathers built the log cabins Perma-Chink is now helping to preserve!!! Thank you, Joanne and Perma-Chink of Stevensville!
Sincerely, Maria Gallegos
P.S. I am enclosing photographs of the chinking project still in progress, as well as an article that was recently written about me and my “house project.” Like many Montana homes that were built to entice Homesteaders, my house has an 1800s era log cabin as part of its original structure. I have been carefully working on this restoration/remodel project for the past 15 years and was thrilled when I uncovered the hand-hewn logs hidden behind the old lathe and plaster. It was like opening the pages of a long-forgotten history book! In keeping with the integrity and roots of my home, I knew those logs walls would remain exposed to showcase its humble beginnings.
We built our log home in 2014. We used Perma-Chink stain on the interior and exterior. Steve Gazikas has helped us step by step throughout the entire process. We can’t thank him enough for sharing his knowledge with us and most important his patience with answering all our questions. We are very happy with the Perma-Chink products. We highly recommend Perma-Chink Systems Inc for all your log home needs.
Brock and Crystal Dellrose, TN