Taft Administration - Family Life
Family Life
William Howard Taft married Helen Herron of Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 19, 1886. Well-bred and gracious, Helen Herron Taft was also strong-willed and ambitious when it came to her husband's career. Even though her spouse would have preferred a Supreme Court seat, she convinced Taft to turn down several such offers and instead seek the presidency in 1908. Unfortunately Nellie, as her husband affectionately called her, suffered a stroke two months after her husband became president. She would partially recover and entertained at the White House with the aid of her sister. One of her most lasting accomplishments as first lady was arranging for the planting of the three thousand Japanese cherry trees that have graced the Washington Tidal Basin ever since.
The Tafts had three children. The oldest was Robert A. Taft who became a well-known U.S. senator from Ohio. Daughter Helen Herron Taft earned a doctorate in history...
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