Growing Up in Cincinnati
Little Willie Taft loved to play in his big backyard in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was 1857, and his house was full of books and happy voices. His dad was a smart lawyer who helped people, and his mom loved to read stories to Willie and his brothers and sisters.
"Willie," his mom would say, "you can be anything you want to be when you grow up!" Her eyes would sparkle when she said this, and Willie believed her.
Young Willie was a big boy with a big heart. His friends at school called him "Big Lub" because he was bigger than other kids his age. But Willie didn't mind – he was too busy learning and having fun!
School Days
Willie loved going to school at Woodward High. He worked hard and always raised his hand to answer questions. His teachers smiled when they saw him coming because they knew he would do his best.
"Mathematics is like solving puzzles," Willie would say to his friends. He was really good at numbers and loved to help others understand them too.
“I want to be just like my father and help people,” Willie told his mother one day while doing homework.
Learning to Lead
As Willie grew older, he started showing everyone what a good leader he could be. He played games fairly and always stood up for kids who needed help. His teachers noticed how other students looked up to him.
Here are some things that made Willie special as a young boy:
• He was kind to everyone he met
• He worked hard at his studies
• He loved to learn new things
• He helped others when they needed it
• He followed the rules and was honest
First Steps Toward Law
When Willie finished high school, he went to Yale University. He was excited but a little nervous too! He wrote letters home to his family every week:
"Dear Mother and Father,
I am studying very hard. The books are thick, but I read them all. I want to make you proud.
Love, Willie"
Willie did so well in school that he was second in his class! His professors said he had a bright future ahead. But what made Willie happiest was knowing he could use what he learned to help others.
Starting His Career
After college, Willie came back to Cincinnati to study law. He worked in his father's office and learned how to be a good lawyer. People started noticing how smart and fair he was.
One day, a young reporter asked Willie what he wanted to do with his life. Willie smiled and said, "I want to make our country better for everyone."
Night after night, Willie studied law books by candlelight. He dreamed of being a judge someday. His father watched proudly as Willie grew into a strong, smart young man who cared about doing what was right.
Little did young Willie know that his dreams would take him much further than he ever imagined. But that's just the beginning of his amazing story…
Adventures in Public Service
Young William Taft had grown up to be a talented lawyer. In 1890, something very exciting happened – President Harrison picked him to be Solicitor General! ⚖️ This meant he would help defend the United States in court.
A New Adventure Begins
One day in 1900, President McKinley called William into his office. “Mr. Taft,” he said with a smile, “how would you like to help the people of the Philippines?”
William’s eyes grew wide. The Philippines was far away across the ocean! But he knew he could help make life better for people there.
“I will do my best to help, Mr. President,” William said bravely.
Life in the Philippines
William packed his bags and sailed across the big ocean. When he got to the Philippines, he saw many things that needed fixing:
• Schools needed more books
• Roads needed to be built
• People needed better hospitals
• Farms needed help to grow more food
• Children needed places to play
William worked hard every day. He helped build new schools and roads. He made sure doctors could help sick people. The Filipino people began to smile when they saw him walking down the street.
Making Friends Around the World
“Mr. Taft,” a little Filipino girl once asked, “why did you come so far to help us?”
William smiled kindly and said, “Because everyone deserves a chance to live a happy life.”
He learned to speak some Filipino words. He ate their yummy food. He even danced at their festivals! The people called him their “Big Friend.”
Growing as a Leader
Back in America, people noticed what a good job William was doing. They saw how he:
✨ Solved problems fairly
✨ Listened to everyone’s ideas
✨ Worked hard every day
✨ Made friends easily
✨ Never gave up when things got tough
President Roosevelt watched William’s good work with pride. “This man,” he told his friends, “knows how to help people.”
Coming Home a Hero
After four years, William came back to America. He had done such a good job that everyone was talking about him! Newspapers wrote nice stories about his work.
“William Taft shows us how to be a true leader – by helping others!” one newspaper said.
But William didn’t let all this praise go to his head. He just smiled and said, “There’s still more work to do to help people.”
Many important people started to think that maybe, just maybe, William Taft would make a good president someday. But William wasn’t thinking about that yet – he was too busy planning his next way to help people…
Dreams of the White House
Theodore Roosevelt had big plans for his friend William Taft. “You should be the next president!” Teddy told him with a big smile.
A Tough Decision
“But Nellie,” William said to his wife one evening, “I don’t know if I want to be president.”
Nellie looked at him kindly. “You help people so well, dear. Maybe you could help even more people as president!”
William thought about all the good things he could do:
Make schools better
Help workers have safer jobs
Protect nature and animals
Keep food and medicine safe
Build more parks for children
The Big Campaign
William decided to try becoming president. He traveled all over America to meet people.
“Hello!” he would say to crowds. “I want to help make our country even better!”
Sometimes it was hard work. William had to:
• Give lots of speeches
• Shake many hands
• Answer tough questions
• Travel on bumpy trains
• Stay up very late
The People’s Choice
People liked William’s friendly smile and kind heart. They remembered how well he had helped the Filipino people.
“He seems honest,” one farmer said.
“And he really cares about helping people,” added a teacher.
The Big Day
On election day, people all over America voted. William waited nervously with his family. When the news came, everyone cheered!
“You won!” Nellie hugged him tight. “You’re going to be president!”
Getting Ready to Lead
William knew being president would be a big job. He started making plans right away.
“I promise to work hard every day,” he told the American people. “Together, we can make our country better for everyone.”
Even though he was nervous, William remembered what his father taught him: always do your best and be kind to others. With these simple rules in mind, he got ready to move into the White House and start his biggest adventure yet.
Theodore Roosevelt gave him a big bear hug. “You’ll do great things, Bill!” he said proudly.
William smiled, but inside he wondered what challenges waited ahead in the big white house on Pennsylvania Avenue…
Big Changes in the White House
Moving into the White House was exciting for William Taft and his family! ️ The rooms were big, and there was so much to do.
Making New Rules
President Taft wanted to help make things better for everyone. He worked on some big ideas:
Making sure big companies played fair
Saving forests and parks
Starting mail delivery to more homes
Helping workers have better jobs
Making sure food and medicine were safe
A Special New Car
“Look what came today!” said Nellie one morning. A shiny new car sat outside the White House.
“This is the first car the White House has ever had!” William said happily. He loved trying new things.
Problems with an Old Friend
But not everything was easy. Theodore Roosevelt, William’s old friend, started to get angry about some of William’s choices.
“You’re not doing things the way I would!” Teddy complained.
William felt sad. “I have to do what I think is right,” he told Nellie one night. “Even if my friend doesn’t like it.”
Big Changes for Everyone
The country was changing fast. More people were:
• Driving cars instead of riding horses
• Moving to big cities
• Working in factories
• Using telephones
• Traveling by airplane
Trying His Best
Even when things got hard, William kept working to help people. He started the Children’s Bureau to help keep kids safe and healthy.
He also made sure more lands became national parks. This meant more beautiful places for everyone to enjoy!
A Growing Storm
But trouble was growing. Some people in William’s Republican Party were getting angry. They didn’t like his way of doing things.
“Maybe we should pick someone else to be president next time,” they whispered.
Even Theodore Roosevelt was thinking about running for president again! This made William very worried.
“I just want to do what’s right for our country,” William told his family. “Even if it means some people won’t like me.”
The White House felt lonelier now. William missed his old friend Teddy. He wondered what would happen when it was time to run for president again…
Every night, he thought about his dream of being a judge instead of a president. Would he ever get that chance?
Starting Over After the White House
The year 1912 brought big changes for William Taft. The election didn’t go well. He lost to Woodrow Wilson and came in third place.
A Happy Return Home
“I feel lighter already!” William told Nellie as they packed their things. “Being President was hard work.”
Moving out of the White House made William think about what he really wanted to do. He had always loved being a judge more than being President.
“Maybe now I can go back to what I love best – working with the law!” William said with a big smile.
Teaching and Learning Again
William got a special job at Yale Law School. He loved teaching young students about the law!
“This feels right,” he told his wife. “I get to share what I know with others.”
Making Friends Again
Something wonderful happened during this time. Theodore Roosevelt, his old friend, started talking to him again!
“I’m sorry we fought,” Teddy wrote in a letter.
“Me too,” William wrote back. “Friends are more important than politics.”
Getting Ready for Something New
Things people noticed about William during this time:
• He seemed happier than ever
• He loved teaching students
• He wrote smart things about the law
• He gave good speeches
• He helped solve big problems
A New Dream Growing
William started hearing whispers about the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice was getting old and might retire soon. ⚖️
“Could it be?” William wondered. “Could my biggest dream come true?”
“You’d make a wonderful Chief Justice,” Nellie told him. “It’s what you’ve always wanted.”
Getting Ready Just in Case
William started reading more law books. He wanted to be ready if he got the chance to be Chief Justice.
He kept teaching and helping others understand the law. Every day, he showed people why he would be perfect for the Supreme Court.
William felt excited about what might come next. Maybe losing the presidency wasn’t so bad after all. Maybe it was just the beginning of his best job ever…
Dreams Come True on the Supreme Court
In 1921, something amazing happened! President Warren Harding had big news for William Taft.
“Would you like to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?” President Harding asked.
William could hardly believe his ears! This was his biggest dream ever coming true.
Finally Where He Belonged
“This is the greatest day of my life!” William told Nellie, dancing around their living room. “Even better than becoming President!”
Making the Court Better
William loved his new job! He made lots of good changes:
• Got the Court its own building
• Helped judges work better together
• Made rules easier to understand
• Solved important cases fairly
• Helped protect people’s rights
Happy Days at Work
Every morning, William walked into the Supreme Court with a big smile. He wore a special black robe and sat in the middle chair.
“This is where I was meant to be,” he would say. “This feels just right!”
“Chief Justice Taft makes everyone feel heard,” his fellow judges said. “He’s a wonderful leader.”
Helping Make Fair Laws
William worked hard to make sure laws were fair for everyone. He listened carefully to both sides in every case.
A Life Well Lived
William served as Chief Justice until 1930. He was tired and not feeling well, but he was happy. He had done everything he dreamed of doing.
“I’ve had such a wonderful life,” he told his family. “I got to serve our country in so many ways.”
Remembering William Howard Taft
Today, people remember William Howard Taft as someone who loved justice and helping others. He showed us that:
• Follow your dreams, even if they take time
• Do what you love, not what others want
• Be fair and kind to everyone
• Never give up when things get hard
• Learn from your mistakes
William Howard Taft’s story teaches us that sometimes our biggest disappointments can lead us to our greatest happiness. He didn’t just make history – he made the world a better place.
Even today, the Supreme Court building he helped create stands tall in Washington, D.C., reminding us that one person really can make a difference if they follow their heart and work hard to help others.