Tag Archives: White House history

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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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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Chester Alan Arthur’s Deadly Secret

The Private Chester Alan Arthur Most of our Presidents were unquestionably ambitious for the office. Some more than others. But Chester Alan Arthur (1829-86), Vermont-born and upstate New York raised, was never interested in elected office. His ambitions lay in … Continue reading

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FDR’s Thanksgiving Muddle

Thanksgiving has been a beloved national holiday since Abraham Lincoln’s time. Even Earlier… Of course, American Thanksgiving days have been celebrated in various forms since the earliest colonists first arrived. The Pilgrims have co-opted it of course, but there are … 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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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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Margaret Taylor: Army Wife

“She was just as much a soldier as I was.” – Zachary Taylor Margaret Mackall Smith …long forgotten by history, Margaret Smith was a Mackall on her mother’s side. They were a prominent Maryland family, whose distaff members were said … Continue reading

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Dusting Off Franklin Pierce

The Basic Pierce Facts Franklin Pierce (1804-69), Democrat from New Hampshire, was a dark horse nominee, elected President in 1852. It took 49 Ballots to put him on the ballot, which was an exhausting exercise for the convention attendees. Few … Continue reading

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The Justice and the Presidents

OWH, JR Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior (1841-1935) was Massachusetts born into a solid and prosperous family. His father, OWH Senior was a physician and occasional poet, probably best known for the versifying part. As such, his son was attending Harvard when the Civil War … Continue reading

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James Buchanan: The Successful Failure

The Stellar Resume James Buchanan (1791-1867), a Pennsylvanian from mid-state, was the last President born in the 18th century. His family was large, but he was essentially a brother among a slew of sisters.  Blessed with above average academic gifts, … Continue reading

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