Category Archives: A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog

A blog about US Presidents, First Ladies and assorted other nifty folks!

First Lady Nellie Taft and the CSO

Helen Herron Taft had two passions in her life. First and foremost was politics. Then came music. Nellie Taft: Musician and Politician Piano lessons was practically a given in most nineteenth century middle-class families. Of course, then as now, not … Continue reading

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Abraham Lincoln and His Father-in-Law

Abraham Lincoln never had a chance to spend serious time with Robert Smith Todd, his father-in-law, but there was a solid bond nevertheless. Miss Mary Todd, Bride When Abraham Lincoln married Miss Mary Todd, he was nearly thirty-three. She was … Continue reading

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Martha Washington: The White House Portrait

The huge portrait of Martha Washington that balances the famous Gilbert Stuart painting of her husband, was painted more than seventy five years after her death. White House Portraits Before photography had advanced sufficiently to achieve artistic popularity, a portrait … Continue reading

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Ida McKinley: Congressional Invalid

Ida McKinley had suffered through one of the worst years anyone could imagine. The trauma would be permanent. The McKinleys Move to Washington Losing both their small children, and having his young wife’s health permanently impaired by phlebitis and “unnameable” … Continue reading

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Alice Hathaway Lee: The First Mrs. TR

Few people know it, but Theodore Roosevelt was married twice. He was married at twenty-two. Three years later, his wife died in childbirth. Theodore Roosevelt: Suitor Theodore Roosevelt was home-schooled or privately tutored for most of his youth, partly because … Continue reading

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Grace Coolidge in the Kitchen

When Calvin Coolidge wanted to marry Miss Grace Goodhue, her parents were not happy. The Coolidge Proposal Some time after Calvin Coolidge began seeing the pretty Miss Goodhue, he took her to meet his family.  They liked her. Everybody did. … Continue reading

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William Howard Taft and the Bathtub(s)

William Howard Taft was a big baby who became a big boy who became a very big man. WHT: The Big Guy William Howard Taft (1857-1930) came from a very prominent Cincinnati, Ohio family. His father had served in Grant’s … Continue reading

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Mary Lincoln’s Big Sister: Elizabeth Edwards

Elizabeth Todd Edwards was the oldest of Mary Lincoln’s siblings. The Todd Family Robert and Eliza Todd of Lexington, KY had six children who lived to adulthood. Mary was the fourth. Eliza died when Mary was only seven; eighteen months … Continue reading

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Julia Grant and the Actress

Marie Dressler, probably forgotten today, was a mega-star character movie actress of the early 20th century. She starred with Charlie Chaplin – and Greta Garbo! Miss Dressler, Actress Marie Dressler (1868-1934) was a large woman, plain, and plus-sized. But she … Continue reading

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Mrs. Truman and the Housekeeper

Bess Wallace Truman would not tolerate any disregard to her authority. Bess Wallace: Homebody Bess Wallace (1885-1982) was the granddaughter of a well-to-do flour mill owner from Independence, MO. Her mother, Madge Gates, was a spoiled and self-centered woman, who … Continue reading

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