February

It is February 1st, and this month we will celebrate many things, as a family, as a nation, as individuals.  During this crazy presidential primary season, we will also celebrate President's day.  Recently I read an article about one of our former Presidents and I found him to be very fascinating.  For several reasons.

John Tyler

The tenth President of the United States.

Quick Facts:

He was the first Vice President to assume the Presidency when President Harrison died in office.

His wife, Letitia, who was known to all as very gracious, but ill, died while he was President. She was the first First Lady to die during a term.  They had 8 children, 7 surviving children from their marriage.

Tyler also was the first President to marry while in office, marrying Julia.  Together they had seven children as well.

Some of the things his term produced included: The "Log-Cabin" bill enabled a settler to claim 160 acres of land before it was offered publicly for sale, and later pay $1.25 an acre for it.
In 1842 Tyler signed a tariff bill protecting northern manufacturers. The Webster-Ashburton treaty ended a Canadian boundary dispute; in 1845 Texas was annexed.  *

He is the only President who hasn't been formally mourn due to joining the Confederacy.
When the first southern states seceded in 1861, Tyler led a compromise movement; failing, he worked to create the Southern Confederacy. He died in 1862, a member of the Confederate House of Representatives. *

Now, here is something of incredible fascination.  He has TWO living grandsons!  Not great grandsons, not great great grandson. But actual GRANDSONS living!  And they're not the oldest living grandchildren of a president either! President Garfield, who was in office 40 YEARS after Tyler, takes that claim!

The Tyler men have children late in life.  President John Tyler was born himself in 1790. That would 212 years ago. :D  President Tyler had a son when he was 63 years old, Lyon Tyler.  Lyon Tyler also had children late in life, in his 70's, Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr., born in 1924, and Harrison Ruffin Tyler, born in 1928.  With 15 children, President Tyler was the most prolific president. And today, 2 of his grandsons are still around, living treasures of the Tenth President of the United States!

Now, your history and genealogy lessons are done for the day!

*source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/johntyler