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Document 73789

WILLIAM H. TAFT
Looking at a family photo, the heaviest U.S. President comments about the weight and height of himself and his brothers.
TLS: "Wm H. Taft" as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, 1p, 8x10½. Supreme Court of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1925 December 22. To Mrs. C.L. Graves, Ocala, Florida. In full: "I have your kind letter of December 16th, and I am glad that your son has gotten into touch with your Representative. He is the man who can satisfy your desires. I note your enclosure of the photograph of my three brothers and myself. There is a good deal of avoirdupois and length in that group. It was a family meeting in Cincinnati where we met to take part in the dedication of a new building called the Alphonso Taft Hall, for the housing of the Law School of the University of Cincinnati, and it is a great pleasure to have secured a photograph of this kind. [Photograph not present.] I hope you are enjoying Florida." On June 30, 1921, former President William Howard Taft realized his lifelong dream of becoming Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Appointed by President Harding, Taft served until February 3, 1930, retiring five weeks before his death. Taft was the heaviest U.S. President, carrying 300-332 pounds on his huge six-foot frame. His three brothers were also tall and heavy. They were his older half-brother Charles Phelps Taft and younger siblings Henry Waters Taft and Horace Dutton Taft. Their father, Grant's Secretary of War and Attorney General, Alphonso Taft, had five children by his first wife, Fanny Phelps Taft, who died of tuberculosis in 1852. Alphonso married Louisa Maria Torrey in 1853 and they also had five children, including the future President and Chief Justice. Vertical fold touches the top of the first "T" and final "t". Light paper clip impression at upper left blank corner. Overall, fine condition.

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