Yes, in fact it was the norm. The Vice President was not seen as a normal stepping stone to the Presidency in the era between ratification and the Civil War. The possible lone exception is Martin Van Buren who did become president after being Vice President, although his confirmation as VP was more of a public announcement by Jackson that he was his chosen successor rather than another political tool to attain the Presidency. A list of presidents who succeeded presidents that they were not the Vice President too includes:Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Buchanan. In the case of Madison and Monroe the secretary of state position was seen as the post with the most power and influence, and the role most likely to succeed into the presidency because of the foreign policy crisis that lead to the War of 1812. Perceptions that the Secretary of State was a stepping stone to the presidency continued past the founding presidents, but those who entertained that view of the Secretary of State position were largely mistaken.