The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1923-08-09


Vermont, the son of John C. and Vic
toria J. Coolidge. Descended from
John and Mary Coolidge, who had
settled in Watertown, Mass, about
1850, his ancestry runs through a long
line of farmers who lived in Massa-
chusetts until the president IS great
grandfather moved from Lancaster
into Vermont. Here the Coolidge fam
lily, through generations, titled the
soil, raised livestock, produced maple
syrup and sugar and were among the
persons of Influence in their commun-
ity.
To him in boyhood came the usual
experiences Of country boy living
on lonely farm, the son of the vii
lage storekeeper Here was born in
him the industry, frugality and self
reliance which became notable in later
years His mother died when he was
13 and four years later he lost his
only sister, but there was always deep
affection and warm bond of sympa
thy between him and his stepmother.
After attending the ungraded couE
try school in Plymouth the future
president continued his studies At
Black River academy in Ludlow and
later went TO the academy at st.
Johnsbury. From there he went to
Amherst college, where his career was
marked with persistency and frugal
ity. He paid So week for his board
because he could not find cheaper
lodging house He was q keen student
and a great reader of books, especially
those on history and government On
ly in a modest way did he enter Dto
college activities. He took no active
part in sports.
In his senior year, in open compe
tition with students in all colleges, he
won the first prize for the best essay
on the causes of the revolutionary
war In 1895 he was graduated and
not having enough money TO go to
law school he obtained employment in
the office of Judge Hammond, one of
the leading lawyers of the state.
There he devoted his attention assid
uously to the study of law, with the
result that in 90 months he was adj
mitted to the bar. He has continued
since then to practice law in North
hampton.
On October A, 1905, he married Miss
Grace A. Goodhue of Burlington, Yer
mont, making home for his bride
in two family apartment house,
which they still occupy in Northhamp
ton. He has two sons, John and Cal
vim, Jr.
In 1899 Mr.. Coolidge was a member
of the Northampton, city council and |
in 1900 and 1901 was city solicitor.
In 1904 he was appointed county clerk
but declined the nomination TO sue
cced himself. In 1907 and 1908 he
served Northampton as its representa-
tive to the general court and in 1910
and 1911 was mayor of the city. II ?
was elected state senator in 1912 and
served in that capacity during the
three following years, being president
IF the senate in 1914 and 1915.
A 42-word acceptance speech he
made when reelected president of the
senate became classic in Massacbur
,etts statecraft. In this and the
speech of acceptance the preceding
year he used two phrases which his
friends regard as his creed.
"Do the days work." and "be
1rief"
In 1916 he became lieutenant gov
srnor Of Massachusetts and was nom
mated by the republicans for govern
,r in 1917 and elected by 1900 votes.
Under the now famous slogan of Flaw
md order" growing out of the Boston
,olice strike, he was reelected govern
II in 1918 by over 125,000, receiving
he largest vote ever given a candi-
late for governor in that state.
It was his stand as governor during
he police strike that won him nation
vide recognition. When this crisis de-
,eloped and responsibility for action
passed to him after the failure of the
authorities to settle the
rouble, he publicly branded the strike
IS desertion of public duty and re
tored order. by the use of state trops.
President Coolidge 5 belief in the
of party government is
,ased upon his reading of history and
lis conclusion that it is the most eff
ective method of achieving the ideals
f democracy.
In physique the new president 's
pare, but enjoys vigorous health. His
air is auburn; his nose prominent, his
yes gray, his lips thin and his man
er dignified and reserved. He has
My one hobby and that is study. He
evotes all his spare time to reading
-orks of law, government and history
1