Category Archives: Nifty History People

Abraham Lincoln and Mary Owens

Abraham Lincoln was 22 when he moved to New Salem, Illinois New Salem A recreated village of New Salem is located on its original site less than an hour’s drive from Springfield, IL – and well worth the ride! Lincoln … Continue reading

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Andrew Johnson: Military Governor of Tennessee

So few nifty stories come up about Andrew Johnson that when they do, they are worth passing along! Legislator Andrew Johnson of Tennessee No President (and that includes Lincoln!) had more hardships in his impoverished childhood than Andy Johnson. His … Continue reading

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Lucy Hayes and the WCTU Portrait

First Lady Lucy Hayes was considered the embodiment of the “New Woman.” But was she? Lucy Hayes: The Old Fashioned Girl Lucy Ware Webb (1831-79) was Ohio born, and half-orphaned by the time she was two. Her mother, Maria Webb, … Continue reading

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George Clinton: VP 4 and Maybe 5

Everyone knows John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, VPs 1 and 2. Some know Aaron Burr, VP 3. But George Clinton? George Clinton’s Qualifications George Clinton (1739-1812) was a New Yorker from upstate, considered among our Founding Fathers (perhaps minor, but … Continue reading

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Benjamin Franklin and The Free Public Library

Arguably the most famous portrait of Benjamin Franklin.   Our Founding Grandfather Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) was old enough to be father to George Washington and John Adams. He was also old enough (perhaps) to be grandfather to James Madison and … Continue reading

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Florence Harding: The Lost Decade

Florence Harding was a woman with deep secrets. Florence Kling: Lonely, Angry Girl Florence Kling (1860-1924) was born to Amos Kling, a middle-class businessman in Marion, Ohio, just as the Civil War was getting underway. She was eldest, with two … Continue reading

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Gideon Welles and the Naval Battle

Gideon Welles was Secretary of the Navy during the Civil War. March 9, 1862 It was a Sunday. Navy Secretary Gideon Welles rushed over to Lincoln’s office, where he found the President and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton in a … Continue reading

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Edith Wilson and the Lalique Brooch

Edith Bolling Galt was the widow of a prestigious Washington jeweler. The Jeweler’s Wife Edith Bolling was born in 1872. Her father was a well respected Virginia judge, somewhat down on his fortunes following the Civil War. Edith was also … Continue reading

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VP James Sherman: Voting for the Dead Guy

James Sherman was VP for William Howard Taft. A Little Bit About Sherman James Schoolcraft Sherman (1852-1912) was born and raised in upstate New York – very very distantly related to General Cump and Senator John of the same name. … Continue reading

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Abigail Adams and Polly Jefferson

Abigail Adams always loved children. The Lonely Childhood of Polly Jefferson Mary (or Maria) Jefferson (1778-1804), called Polly as a child, was the second surviving daughter of Thomas and Martha Jefferson. Her older sister Martha (1772-1836), nicknamed Patsy from birth, … Continue reading

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