Category Archives: Nifty History People

William Howard Taft and the Supreme Court Building

While two Presidents served in the Legislative Branch post-presidentially (JQ Adams and Andrew Johnson), only one ex-POTUS served in the Judiciary. Cincinnati Patrician Politician William Howard Taft (1857-1930) was Cincinnati-born to a prosperous Ohio transplanted family with a strong Republican … Continue reading

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Julia Grant II: The Princess Cantacuzene

The USA was never created for although its trappings and perks always piqued interest… The Great General: The Future Generations Ulysses S. Grant was as far from “royal” as possible. His middle-class Ohio parents were hardworking folks. So were the … Continue reading

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Lincoln: Lessons of the First Campaign

Abe Lincoln of New Salem When Abraham Lincoln was 21, he left the family fold to set out on his own. He jobbed-on with a riverboat to New Orleans, and was exposed to multiple sights and sounds and experiences he … Continue reading

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The Scandals of President Grant

Fallout from association could be traced to Adam’s and Eve’s friendship with a snake. The Honest Ulysses Hiram Ulysses Grant (1822-1885) was a mild mannered fellow, soft spoken, honest, and perhaps a bit naive in some regard. He had a … Continue reading

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The Sad and Tragic Tale of Kate Chase Sprague

The Tragedy of the Father Salmon Portland Chase (1808-73), was New Hampshire born. Only nine when his father died, his mother was left with ten children and meager resources, so young Salmon was raised by relatives in Ohio who provided … Continue reading

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Boutwell: A Book Review

According to author Jeffrey Boutwell (a distant collateral descendant), George Sewall Boutwell was an “important public figure hiding in plain sight.” His life was long (1818-1905), and filled with an equally long list of political and governmental accomplishments. According to … Continue reading

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A Home for the Great Lady & Me

Ulysses S. Grant was President when the country celebrated its centennial. The Birthday Bash A centennial celebration of anything is a momentous occasion. Therefore, when the USA was poised to celebrate its 100th anniversary, President Ulysses S. Grant was delighted … Continue reading

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Archie Roosevelt’s Christmas Surprise

Christmas a la Roosevelt Few White House families were as robust and open for fun as Theodore Roosevelt, his wife, six children and a slew of pets. Nevertheless, very few stories, articles or even anecdotes are about how the TR’s … Continue reading

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James Armistead Lafayette: Revolutionary Spy

James… never in his youth used the surname Armistead. Trying to Trace the Untraceable Information It is a nearly impossible job to accurately delve into long-long-ago history when scant records were kept. It is all the harder when the information … Continue reading

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The Lincoln Men: Father and Son

Lincoln’s upbringing was indeed the “annals of the poor.” But How Poor? They were definitely not rich, but two generations prior to Abraham Lincoln’s arrival, the Lincoln’s were comfortably fixed, and well regarded by their peers and neighbors. Originally from … Continue reading

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