| Birth: | Sep. 15, 1857
Cincinnati
Ohio, USA | | Death: | Mar. 8, 1930
Washington
District Of Columbia, USA | 
27th United States President. William Howard Taft was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to a political family. His father was a Cabinet minister in the administration of President Ulysses S. Grant. He graduated from Woodward High School then enrolled at Yale, his fathers alma mater, graduated and immediately began the study of law and graduated from the Cincinnati Law School. His political career started the following year with appointment as Assistant Prosecutor of Hamilton County. A courtship with Helen Herron culminated in marriage. Taft went on to amass a long list of political offices before assuming the Presidency, However, they were appointive in nature. His remarkable record in public office had led to the expectation his administration would be a resounding success. The complete four year term was a disaster. The do-nothing President with a very low public approval rating, embarked on a constant travel agenda hopping high visibility would enhance his image. Taft set a mark for journeys around the country. He was the first President to introduce the automobile in official Washington life. His re-election attempt ended with an astounding defeat--he received but eight electoral votes, that of Utah and Vermont. Taft quickly vacated the Whitehouse and became a Professor teaching Law at Yale University making his residence for the next eight years in New Haven. His lifelong ambition to become a Supreme Court Justice was realized by his appointment as Chief Justice by President Warren G. Harding. Taft returned to Washington striving to improve the court by expediting the vast amount of litigation constantly before it. He made a trip to England on a fact finding mission to learn how they disposed of cases so expeditiously. After his return to Washington he set himself to the task of clearing up court congestion and was very successful. Taft in ill health, acerbated by his huge 300 pound size and with constant pressure from his judicial duties, retired from the Court. His health declined rapidly with death occurring at his home after suffering a combination stroke and heart attack at age 72. His casket was placed in the Capitol Rotunda allowing thousands to file past paying their respects. A funeral procession down Pennsylvania Avenue was accorded him ending at All Souls Unitarian Church where Rev. Ulysees Grand Baker presided. His funeral was the first to be broadcast on the radio. William Howard Taft qualified for burial in Arlington Cemetery as a former Secretary of War and Commander in Chief of the military while president. His wife was buried beside him at the time of her death. His Legacy: The William Howard Taft National Historic Site commemorates the only man to serve as President and Chief Justice. The house located in Cincinnati that Taft was born in has been restored and is open to tourist. (bio by: Donald Greyfield)
Search Amazon for William Taft | | | Burial:
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington
Arlington County
Virginia, USA
Plot: Section 30, Lot S-14, Grid Y/Z-39.5 |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Jan 01, 2001
Find A Grave Memorial# 1014 |
|
|
|
Secretary of War, 1904-1908; President of the United States, 1909-1913; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, 1921-1930.
-
Garver Graver
Added: Nov. 17, 2009 |
-
LaDene
Added: Nov. 11, 2009 |
-Anonymous
Added: Nov. 10, 2009 |
| There are 328 more notes not showing...
Click here to view all notes...
| |
|
|
(4.4 after 159 votes)
