11. President James K. Polk (1845-1849)
Marshall Polk
He was the nephew and personal ward of President James K. Polk. No children were born to the president and his wife Sarah Childress. Marshall sadly ended his life an alcoholic and in prison. When the Polk's served in the White House they became lonely and took in Martha Johnson, the daughter of fellow Tennessean and congressman named, Andrew Johnson. She came back to run the White House when her own father became president. Her traditions and protocols are still honored today.
He was the nephew and personal ward of President James K. Polk. No children were born to the president and his wife Sarah Childress. Marshall sadly ended his life an alcoholic and in prison. When the Polk's served in the White House they became lonely and took in Martha Johnson, the daughter of fellow Tennessean and congressman named, Andrew Johnson. She came back to run the White House when her own father became president. Her traditions and protocols are still honored today.
12. President Zachary Taylor (1849-1850)
Gen. Richard Taylor
Anne Margaret Mackall Taylor Wood She was born April 9, 1811 and she died in Germany on December 2, 1875. Anne married an army surgeon and gave birth to four children. A widow by the war's end, she journeyed to Germany where she lived with a daughter, who had married a baron.
Sarah "Knox" Taylor Davis
She was born March 6, 1814. She died of malaria at the age of 21 on September 15, 1835. She married a military man, Jefferson Davis, who would eventually become the president of the Confederate States of America. But Sarah would not live to see it happen. She died three months after the wedding of the malaria that had almost taken her as a girl.
Octavia Pannel Taylor
She was born August 16, 1816 and she died of malaria on July 8, 1820. She was three years old.
Margaret Smith Taylor
She was born July 27, 1819. She died October 22, 1820. Only three months after the death of her sister, one year old Margaret was taken by malaria as well.
Mary Elizabeth Taylor Bliss Dandridge
She was born April 20, 1824 and she died July 26, 1909. "Betty," as she was called, served as White House hostess for her mother who refused to entertain. She was immensely popular and was considered an elegant beauty. She married twice. She had no children.
Richard Taylor
He was born January 27, 1826 and died on April 12, 1879. After education in Europe, he served as an aide de camp to his father during the Mexican campaign. Later when the general became president , he served as his father's private secretary. During the Civil War he rose to fame as a Confederate general, fighting with Stonewall Jackson in the Valley Campaign. He refused to accept favors or promotion because of his name, earning even begrudging praise from Northern observers. He was a plantation manager, soldier, politician and author. Taylor was considered a success who earned his own reputation on its own merits. He died from severe internal congestion, resulting from a long battle with rheumatoid arthritis.
Sarah "Knox" Taylor Davis
She was born March 6, 1814. She died of malaria at the age of 21 on September 15, 1835. She married a military man, Jefferson Davis, who would eventually become the president of the Confederate States of America. But Sarah would not live to see it happen. She died three months after the wedding of the malaria that had almost taken her as a girl.
Octavia Pannel Taylor
She was born August 16, 1816 and she died of malaria on July 8, 1820. She was three years old.
Margaret Smith Taylor
She was born July 27, 1819. She died October 22, 1820. Only three months after the death of her sister, one year old Margaret was taken by malaria as well.
Mary Elizabeth Taylor Bliss Dandridge
She was born April 20, 1824 and she died July 26, 1909. "Betty," as she was called, served as White House hostess for her mother who refused to entertain. She was immensely popular and was considered an elegant beauty. She married twice. She had no children.
Richard Taylor
He was born January 27, 1826 and died on April 12, 1879. After education in Europe, he served as an aide de camp to his father during the Mexican campaign. Later when the general became president , he served as his father's private secretary. During the Civil War he rose to fame as a Confederate general, fighting with Stonewall Jackson in the Valley Campaign. He refused to accept favors or promotion because of his name, earning even begrudging praise from Northern observers. He was a plantation manager, soldier, politician and author. Taylor was considered a success who earned his own reputation on its own merits. He died from severe internal congestion, resulting from a long battle with rheumatoid arthritis.
13. President Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)
President Millard Fillmore
Millard Powers Fillmore
He was born April 25, 1828 and he died November 15, 1889. "Powers" served his father, as a personal secretary during the latter's time as president. A student at Harvard, he later practiced law and was appointed as a federal court clerk. Much of the rest of his life is a mystery. He had no children and was never married. Before his death he arranged for the destruction of all his private papers.
Mary Abigail "Abby" Fillmore
She was born March 27, 1832. Historians differ on the date of her death. It was July 26 or 27, 1854. Abby lived a charmed life as a child and teenager . After the death of Zachary Taylor, her vice presidential father moved into the White House where she often served as hostess, assisting her mother, Abigail. She died tragically of cholera at the tender age of 22. Abby never married.
He was born April 25, 1828 and he died November 15, 1889. "Powers" served his father, as a personal secretary during the latter's time as president. A student at Harvard, he later practiced law and was appointed as a federal court clerk. Much of the rest of his life is a mystery. He had no children and was never married. Before his death he arranged for the destruction of all his private papers.
Mary Abigail "Abby" Fillmore
She was born March 27, 1832. Historians differ on the date of her death. It was July 26 or 27, 1854. Abby lived a charmed life as a child and teenager . After the death of Zachary Taylor, her vice presidential father moved into the White House where she often served as hostess, assisting her mother, Abigail. She died tragically of cholera at the tender age of 22. Abby never married.
14. Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)
Jane Pierce, a broken hearted mother
Franklin Pierce
He was born February 2, 1836. He died three days later on February 5, 1836.
Frank Robert Pierce
He was born August 27, 1839. He died of typhus fever on November 14, 1843. By the time of the death of this much-loved four-year-old, Franklin Pierce himself had begun to wonder if God was taking his children.
Benjamin Pierce
He was born April 13, 1841and he died January 16, 1853. With his wife convinced that retirement from politics was God's will, Franklin Pierce retired from the U. S. Senate to practice law in New Hampshire. But in 1852, in a fractured Democrat National Convention, he won the presidential nomination on the 49th ballot. But Mrs. Pierce's greatest fears were realized. Pierce won, and eleven-year-old Benny was killed in a train accident before his parents' eyes.
He was born February 2, 1836. He died three days later on February 5, 1836.
Frank Robert Pierce
He was born August 27, 1839. He died of typhus fever on November 14, 1843. By the time of the death of this much-loved four-year-old, Franklin Pierce himself had begun to wonder if God was taking his children.
Benjamin Pierce
He was born April 13, 1841and he died January 16, 1853. With his wife convinced that retirement from politics was God's will, Franklin Pierce retired from the U. S. Senate to practice law in New Hampshire. But in 1852, in a fractured Democrat National Convention, he won the presidential nomination on the 49th ballot. But Mrs. Pierce's greatest fears were realized. Pierce won, and eleven-year-old Benny was killed in a train accident before his parents' eyes.
15. President James Buchanan (1857-1861)
The only President never to marry, Buchanan was engaged at twenty-eight, but his fiancée died from a sedative overdose. Though successful in winning the highest elected office in the land, the fifteenth President remained a bachelor until his death.
16. President Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)
Lincoln and Tad
Robert Todd Lincoln
He was born August 1, 1843 and he died July 25, 1926. He served as Secretary of War and as Minister to Great Britain. He was an effective president of the Pullman Corporation. Considered by many historians as one of the most successful of presidential children, Robert married Mary Harlan, a Cabinet Secretary's daughter, had three children and lived into his eighties.
Edward Baker "Eddie" Lincoln
He was born March 10, 1846 and died at age three on February 1, 1850.
William Wallace "Willie" Lincoln
He was born December 21, 1850 and died of pneumonia on February 20, 1862. "Willy" and little brother "Tad" were the little terrors of the White House. It was Willie's death at eleven years of age, in the middle of the Civil War, that pushed First Lady Mary Lincoln over the emotional edge. But it also refined the president's ability to empathize with the nation's suffering.
Thomas "Tad" Lincoln
He was born April 4, 1853. He died of diphtheria as a teenager on July 15, 1871. Staff, observers, and even an older brother, Robert, were scandalized by the Lincoln's over indulgence of their youngest child. He was twelve when his father was assassinated. His emotionally disturbed mother hauled him off to Europe, where he was enrolled and withdrawn from a succession of private schools. He died shortly after their return to the States.
He was born August 1, 1843 and he died July 25, 1926. He served as Secretary of War and as Minister to Great Britain. He was an effective president of the Pullman Corporation. Considered by many historians as one of the most successful of presidential children, Robert married Mary Harlan, a Cabinet Secretary's daughter, had three children and lived into his eighties.
Edward Baker "Eddie" Lincoln
He was born March 10, 1846 and died at age three on February 1, 1850.
William Wallace "Willie" Lincoln
He was born December 21, 1850 and died of pneumonia on February 20, 1862. "Willy" and little brother "Tad" were the little terrors of the White House. It was Willie's death at eleven years of age, in the middle of the Civil War, that pushed First Lady Mary Lincoln over the emotional edge. But it also refined the president's ability to empathize with the nation's suffering.
Thomas "Tad" Lincoln
He was born April 4, 1853. He died of diphtheria as a teenager on July 15, 1871. Staff, observers, and even an older brother, Robert, were scandalized by the Lincoln's over indulgence of their youngest child. He was twelve when his father was assassinated. His emotionally disturbed mother hauled him off to Europe, where he was enrolled and withdrawn from a succession of private schools. He died shortly after their return to the States.
17. President Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)
Andrew Johnson, Jr.
Martha Johnson Patterson
She was born October 25, 1828 and she died on July 10, 1901. Martha was another presidential daughter to serve as a White House hostess in place of an invalid or reluctant mother. She transformed the executive mansion into the grand elegance it enjoys to this day. It was a remarkable accomplishment considering it happened simultaneously with the impeachment of her father and a bitter relationship with Congress.
Charles Johnson
He was born February 19, 1830 and he died on April 4, 1863. Charles studied medicine and co-owned a pharmacy. He soon plunged into severe alcoholism. He fought for the Union army and died at thirty-three in a horse accident.
Mary Johnson Stover Brown
She was born May 8, 1832 and she died on April 19, 1883. Mary served with her sister as White House hostess during her father's administration. Her first husband, Daniel Stover, was a Civil War hero for the Union. They had three children. She was soon estranged from her second husband but postponed divorce until her father died..
Robert Johnson
He was born February 22, 1834. He died on April 22, 1869, most likely a suicide. Robert became a colonel in the Union army, beloved by his men. Sadly after the war his drinking problem escalate. He served briefly as a secretary to his father in the White House where he caused a scandal when prostitutes were allegedly seen leaving his office. He never married.
Andrew Johnson, Jr.
He was born August 6, 1852 and he died March 12, 1879. After seeing his parents suffer over the alcoholism of his older brothers, Andy promised his parents that he would never touch liquor. He married Bessie May Kumbaugh and tried to launch his own newspaper. But it was seen by critics as a propaganda piece for his father and soon failed. He died a youthful 26, a few years after the death of his parents.
She was born October 25, 1828 and she died on July 10, 1901. Martha was another presidential daughter to serve as a White House hostess in place of an invalid or reluctant mother. She transformed the executive mansion into the grand elegance it enjoys to this day. It was a remarkable accomplishment considering it happened simultaneously with the impeachment of her father and a bitter relationship with Congress.
Charles Johnson
He was born February 19, 1830 and he died on April 4, 1863. Charles studied medicine and co-owned a pharmacy. He soon plunged into severe alcoholism. He fought for the Union army and died at thirty-three in a horse accident.
Mary Johnson Stover Brown
She was born May 8, 1832 and she died on April 19, 1883. Mary served with her sister as White House hostess during her father's administration. Her first husband, Daniel Stover, was a Civil War hero for the Union. They had three children. She was soon estranged from her second husband but postponed divorce until her father died..
Robert Johnson
He was born February 22, 1834. He died on April 22, 1869, most likely a suicide. Robert became a colonel in the Union army, beloved by his men. Sadly after the war his drinking problem escalate. He served briefly as a secretary to his father in the White House where he caused a scandal when prostitutes were allegedly seen leaving his office. He never married.
Andrew Johnson, Jr.
He was born August 6, 1852 and he died March 12, 1879. After seeing his parents suffer over the alcoholism of his older brothers, Andy promised his parents that he would never touch liquor. He married Bessie May Kumbaugh and tried to launch his own newspaper. But it was seen by critics as a propaganda piece for his father and soon failed. He died a youthful 26, a few years after the death of his parents.
18. President Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877)
The Grants with Jesse
Fredrick Dent Grant
He was born May 30, 1850. He died of cancer on April 11, 1912. As a child he was with his father on the major battlefields of the Civil War. He graduated from West Point. He married a French daughter of wealth. He served as the New York City police commissioner, Minister to Austria-Hungary. He eventually advanced to the second highest rank in the U. S. army, becoming the second General Grant.
Ulysses Simpson "Buck" Grant, Jr.
He was born July 22, 1852 and he died September 25, 1929. Buck studied at Harvard, the University of Gottingen in Germany and Columbia Law School. He was a lawyer and tried his hand as a politician and businessman. He was briefly a White House secretary to his father, and much later made a bid for the U.S. Senate. It was a controversial campaign in which charges of bribery were unfairly leveled against him. Before his death, Buck Grant established himself anew in San Diego society and built the beautiful U. S. Grant Hotel.
Ellen Wrenshall "Nellie" Grant Sartoris Jones
She was born July 4, 1855 and died August 30, 1922. Nellie was 13 years old when her father became president and only 18 when she was married to the British diplomat Algernon Sartoris (pronounced "sartriss") in a extravagant White House wedding. The young couple had four children and became social elite's. Her husband turned out to be an alcoholic and womanizer. She obtained a divorce, returning to the States, a wealthy woman. Eventually, she remarried, but fell ill and was paralyzed during her last years.
Jesse Root Grant
He was born February 6, 1858 and died June 8, 1834. Jesse was an author, engineer and world traveler. His most famous jaunt abroad may have been his around-the-world trip with his father following the White House years. He fathered two children. He eventually divorced his first wife and remarried. At one point he made a bid for the presidency, but the press and the country ignored his candidacy.
He was born May 30, 1850. He died of cancer on April 11, 1912. As a child he was with his father on the major battlefields of the Civil War. He graduated from West Point. He married a French daughter of wealth. He served as the New York City police commissioner, Minister to Austria-Hungary. He eventually advanced to the second highest rank in the U. S. army, becoming the second General Grant.
Ulysses Simpson "Buck" Grant, Jr.
He was born July 22, 1852 and he died September 25, 1929. Buck studied at Harvard, the University of Gottingen in Germany and Columbia Law School. He was a lawyer and tried his hand as a politician and businessman. He was briefly a White House secretary to his father, and much later made a bid for the U.S. Senate. It was a controversial campaign in which charges of bribery were unfairly leveled against him. Before his death, Buck Grant established himself anew in San Diego society and built the beautiful U. S. Grant Hotel.
Ellen Wrenshall "Nellie" Grant Sartoris Jones
She was born July 4, 1855 and died August 30, 1922. Nellie was 13 years old when her father became president and only 18 when she was married to the British diplomat Algernon Sartoris (pronounced "sartriss") in a extravagant White House wedding. The young couple had four children and became social elite's. Her husband turned out to be an alcoholic and womanizer. She obtained a divorce, returning to the States, a wealthy woman. Eventually, she remarried, but fell ill and was paralyzed during her last years.
Jesse Root Grant
He was born February 6, 1858 and died June 8, 1834. Jesse was an author, engineer and world traveler. His most famous jaunt abroad may have been his around-the-world trip with his father following the White House years. He fathered two children. He eventually divorced his first wife and remarried. At one point he made a bid for the presidency, but the press and the country ignored his candidacy.
19. President Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)
Webb Hayes
Birchard Austin Hayes
He was born November 4, 1853 and he died January 24, 1926. After graduating from Harvard, Birchard spent 36 years in the legal profession as a successful tax and real estate attorney in Toledo, Ohio. He married Mary Sherman and had five children.
James Webb Cook Hayes
He was born March 20, 1856 and he died July 26, 1934. Known all his life as "Webb, he served as a secretary in his father's White House. He latter launched a successful business career that spanned decades and made him rich. He reorganized one small enterprise, which would grow into the Union Carbide Corporation. He married Mary Otis Miller they had no children. Webb pursued his lifelong love of the military, risking his life as a soldier of fortune around the globe until he died at 78.
Rutherford Platt Hayes
He was born June 24, 1858 and he died July 21, 1927. Rutherford helped found the American Library Association and became one of the nation's most important figures in the development of the nation's library system. He married a cousin, Lucy Hayes Platt and had three children. Joseph "Jody" Thompson Hayes He was born December 21, 1861 and died of dysentery on June 24, 1863. His father longed to see more of this new son, Jody, born during the chaos of the Civil War, but the baby died of dysentery.
George Crook Hayes
He was born September 29, 1864 and died May 24, 1866. George died of scarlet fever before his second birthday.
Fanny Hayes Smith
She was born September 2, 1867, and died March 18, 1950. The only daughter in a family of seven brothers, she loved her father. When her mother died, Fanny assumed the role of hostess and accompanied her father to speaking engagements. She married navy ensign Harry Eaton Smith, who eventually became an instructor as the Naval Academy. She had one child and changed her name back to Hayes after the death of her husband. Scott Russell Hayes He was born February 8, 1871, and died of cancer on May 6, 1923. He worked as an executive for a number of railroad service companies, and lived in New York. He married Maude Anderson but had no children.
Manning Force Hayes
He was born August 1, 1873 and died shortly after his first birthday on August 28, 1874.
He was born November 4, 1853 and he died January 24, 1926. After graduating from Harvard, Birchard spent 36 years in the legal profession as a successful tax and real estate attorney in Toledo, Ohio. He married Mary Sherman and had five children.
James Webb Cook Hayes
He was born March 20, 1856 and he died July 26, 1934. Known all his life as "Webb, he served as a secretary in his father's White House. He latter launched a successful business career that spanned decades and made him rich. He reorganized one small enterprise, which would grow into the Union Carbide Corporation. He married Mary Otis Miller they had no children. Webb pursued his lifelong love of the military, risking his life as a soldier of fortune around the globe until he died at 78.
Rutherford Platt Hayes
He was born June 24, 1858 and he died July 21, 1927. Rutherford helped found the American Library Association and became one of the nation's most important figures in the development of the nation's library system. He married a cousin, Lucy Hayes Platt and had three children. Joseph "Jody" Thompson Hayes He was born December 21, 1861 and died of dysentery on June 24, 1863. His father longed to see more of this new son, Jody, born during the chaos of the Civil War, but the baby died of dysentery.
George Crook Hayes
He was born September 29, 1864 and died May 24, 1866. George died of scarlet fever before his second birthday.
Fanny Hayes Smith
She was born September 2, 1867, and died March 18, 1950. The only daughter in a family of seven brothers, she loved her father. When her mother died, Fanny assumed the role of hostess and accompanied her father to speaking engagements. She married navy ensign Harry Eaton Smith, who eventually became an instructor as the Naval Academy. She had one child and changed her name back to Hayes after the death of her husband. Scott Russell Hayes He was born February 8, 1871, and died of cancer on May 6, 1923. He worked as an executive for a number of railroad service companies, and lived in New York. He married Maude Anderson but had no children.
Manning Force Hayes
He was born August 1, 1873 and died shortly after his first birthday on August 28, 1874.
20. President James A. Garfield (1881)
The Garfield Children
Eliza Arabella "Trot" Garfield
She was born July 3, 1860. She died of diphtheria on December 3, 1863. She was three years old.
Harry Augustus "Hal" Garfield
He was born October 11, 1863 and died December 12, 1942. Hal spent most of his life in education, teaching at Princeton University and Williams College, where he served as president. While at Princeton, Hal befriended future president Woodrow Wilson, who, during World War I, asked him to serve as the nation's Fuel Administrator. He married Belle Hartford Mason and had four children.
James Rudolf Garfield
He was born October 17, 1865, and died March 24, 1950. President Garfield's assassination was seen first hand, by his own son "Jimmy," at the tender age of 15. A Columbia University graduate, he was a lawyer and politician. He worked in the government before coming to the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt. The two became lifelong friends and, impressed with his work, Roosevelt appointed him Secretary of the Interior. James married Helen Newell and had four children.
Mary "Mollie" Garfield Stanley-Brown
She was born January 16, 1867 and died December 30, 1947. Mollie was just a child at the time of her father's assassination. She eventually married a man who had served her father as a junior White House secretary. They had 3 children and lived for years in New York before moving to California.
Irvin McDowell Garfield
He was born August 3, 1870 and died on July 18, 1951. He married Susan Emmons, had three children and carved out a successful law and business career in law in Boston.
Abram Garfield
He was born November 21, 1872 and died October 16, 1958. After an education at Williams College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he built a career as one of the world's leading architects. He married Sarah Granger and had two children. He was appointed to national commissions by two presidents. After Sarah died, at the ripe old age seventy-five, he married Helen Grannis.
Edward Garfield
He was born December 25, 1874 and died October 25, 1876. The last child of James and Lucretia Rudolph Garfield died of the whooping cough before his second birthday.
She was born July 3, 1860. She died of diphtheria on December 3, 1863. She was three years old.
Harry Augustus "Hal" Garfield
He was born October 11, 1863 and died December 12, 1942. Hal spent most of his life in education, teaching at Princeton University and Williams College, where he served as president. While at Princeton, Hal befriended future president Woodrow Wilson, who, during World War I, asked him to serve as the nation's Fuel Administrator. He married Belle Hartford Mason and had four children.
James Rudolf Garfield
He was born October 17, 1865, and died March 24, 1950. President Garfield's assassination was seen first hand, by his own son "Jimmy," at the tender age of 15. A Columbia University graduate, he was a lawyer and politician. He worked in the government before coming to the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt. The two became lifelong friends and, impressed with his work, Roosevelt appointed him Secretary of the Interior. James married Helen Newell and had four children.
Mary "Mollie" Garfield Stanley-Brown
She was born January 16, 1867 and died December 30, 1947. Mollie was just a child at the time of her father's assassination. She eventually married a man who had served her father as a junior White House secretary. They had 3 children and lived for years in New York before moving to California.
Irvin McDowell Garfield
He was born August 3, 1870 and died on July 18, 1951. He married Susan Emmons, had three children and carved out a successful law and business career in law in Boston.
Abram Garfield
He was born November 21, 1872 and died October 16, 1958. After an education at Williams College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he built a career as one of the world's leading architects. He married Sarah Granger and had two children. He was appointed to national commissions by two presidents. After Sarah died, at the ripe old age seventy-five, he married Helen Grannis.
Edward Garfield
He was born December 25, 1874 and died October 25, 1876. The last child of James and Lucretia Rudolph Garfield died of the whooping cough before his second birthday.
