William Howard Taft

portrait of William Howard Taft c. 1909, U.S. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs division

Date of Birth: September 15, 1857

Place of Birth: Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.

Date of Death: March 8, 1930

Place of Death: Washington, D.C., U.S.

Ethnicity: English

William Howard Taft was an American politician and jurist. A Republican, he was the 27th President of the United States, from March 4, 1909 to March 4, 1913. He was elected to the position in 1908. He was also the 10th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, from July 11, 1921 to February 3, 1930. He is the only person to hold both offices, President and Chief Justice. President Taft was also Solicitor General of the U.S., from February 4, 1890 to March 20, 1892, Governor-General of the Philippines, from July 4, 1901 to December 23, 1903, U.S. Secretary of War, from February 1, 1904 to June 30, 1908, and Provisional Governor of Cuba, from September 29, 1906 to October 13, 1906, among other duties.

He was the Republican Party’s nominee for re-election President of the United States in 1912.

President Taft was the son of Louisa/Louise Maria (Torrey) and Alphonso Taft, a jurist and diplomat, who was the 34th United States Attorney General, from May 22, 1876 to March 4, 1877, and the 31st United States Secretary of War, from March 8, 1876 to May 22, 1876.

As far as is known, President Taft was of entirely Colonial American (English) ancestry, with every line of his family having been in the U.S. since the 1600s.

He was married to Helen Louise “Nellie” (Herron) Taft. Their children were Robert A. Taft, a politician and statesman; Helen Taft Manning, a history professor and college dean; and Charles Phelps Taft II, a politician, who was Mayor of Cincinnati, from 1955 to 1957. Robert A. Taft was a candidate for the Republican Party’s nomination for President of the United States in 1940, 1944, 1948, and 1952.

President Taft’s paternal grandfather was Peter Rawson Taft (the son of Aaron Taft and Rhoda Rawson). Peter was born in Uxbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts. Aaron was the son of Peter Taft and Elizabeth Cheney. Rhoda was the daughter of Abner Rawson and Mary Allen.

President Taft’s paternal grandmother was Sylvia Howard (the daughter of Levi Hayward/Howard and Bethia/Berthiah Chapin). Sylvia was born in Townshend, Windham, Vermont. Levi was the son of Benjamin Hayward, Jr. and Mary Wheaton. Bethia was the daughter of John Chapin and Rhoda Albee.

President Taft’s maternal grandfather was Samuel Davenport Torrey (the son of William Torrey and Anna Davenport). Samuel was born in Massachusetts. William was the son of Joseph Torrey and Deborah Holbrook. Anna was the daughter of Seth Davenport and Chloe Daniel/Daniels.

President Taft’s maternal grandmother was Susan Holman Waters (the daughter of Asa H. Waters, Jr. and Susan Trask Holman). President Taft’s grandmother Susan was born in Massachusetts. Asa was the son of Asa Waters and Sarah Goodale. President Taft’s great-grandmother Susan was the daughter of Jonathan Holman and Susanna Trask.

President Taft’s matrilineal line can be traced to Elizabeth Newgate, who was born, c. 1617, to John Newgate and Lydia. Elizabeth was christened at St. Olaves, Southwark, Surrey, England.

Sources: Genealogies of President Taft – https://www.geni.com
http://famouskin.com
https://www.findagrave.com