Howard Taft :: essays research papers

William Howard Taft (27th chair of the United States)Born1857, in Cincinnati, Ohio.Family backgroundthe male child of Alphonso and Louisa Torrey Taft. Both parents were descendants of old and substantial New England families of British origin. His father, a native of Vermont and the son of a judge, had moved to Cincinnati in 1837 to practice law. His mother came to Ohio from Massachusetts old age later as Alphonsos second wife. In time there were half-dozen children, including William, his two brothers, his sister, and his two half brothers by his fathers first marriage.EducationTaft authoritative his early education at local public schools. Even-tempered and intelligent, he had little difficulty in meeting his parents exacting standards. In 1874 he entered Yale College (now Yale University), where he was both successful and popular. When he graduated in 1878, he ranked second in his class. After Yale he went home to serve well the Cincinnati Law School. He graduated in 1880 a nd passed the Ohio bar examinations the same year. trade union and ChildrenIn 1885 Taft returned to public service as assistant county solicitor in Hamilton County. The following year he married Helen Herron, whom he called Nellie, the daughter of a well-known Cincinnati lawyer. The couple had three children, Helen, Charles Phelps, and Robert Alphonso Taft.Career1890-1892 Served as U.S. solicitor general.1892-1900 Served as U.S. federal circuit court judge.1901 Served as governor general of the Philippines.1904-1908 Served as secretary of war under William Mckinley.1909-1913 President of the United States.1921-1931 Served as straits justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.AchievementsEnforced the Sherman Antitrust Act, overseeing the filing of 67 just suits. Increased the power of the interstate commerce commission in 1910 by placing communication companies under its control. He signed the publicity act in 1910 requiring political parties to disclose the amount and sources of federal el ection campaign funds. He divided the department of commerce and labor into two departments in 1913. He encouraged ?dollar diplomacy? persuading U.